Results 1,181-1,200 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

John Curran: We are helping the Senator out.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

John Curran: In regard to mass cards, I inherited this legislation when I was promoted last summer and it was one of the first matters to come across my desk. The issue of door-to-door collections and mass cards were cause for considerable concern among the public rather than the charitable sector or vested interests. I do not have a legal background and would not claim the technical expertise necessary...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (25 Feb 2009)

John Curran: As previously advised to the Deputy, the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was officially launched on 30 September 2008. The first phase was rolled out across five Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces areas with funding being provided by my Department (€100,000) and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (€50,000). As highlighted during the launch, the confidential number...

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Curran: There is very little evidence of it having worked anywhere else.

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Curran: Other jurisdictions have underlying failures. We have not lost a bank in this country yet.

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (3 Mar 2009)

John Curran: As I previously advised the Deputy, an indicative allocation in the amount of €300,000 has been approved under the Dormant Accounts Fund for the final two phases of the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign in 2009. The campaign will be run in a number of Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas, including the Midwest RDTF, which covers Limerick. I hope to have Government approval shortly...

Drug-related Deaths. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: The publication last November of the National Drugs-Related Death Index by the Health Research Board provided for the first time a comprehensive understanding of the death toll associated with problem drug use in Ireland. The Index, which has been compiled to the highest European standard, was commissioned under the national drugs strategy by the Departments of Health and Children and...

Drug-related Deaths. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: I am pleased the figures have come to light because I spoke with a number of people over a period of time who clearly felt what was reported regarding drug-related deaths was significantly understated. This is the first comprehensive report and is very detailed and thorough. The numbers, as the Deputy said, are staggering. In 2005 alone 400 people died as a result of drugs. When we...

Drug-related Deaths. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: The figure Deputy Wall stated on the numbers using methadone is correct. Not everybody who uses methadone uses it exclusively. A combination of other drugs can be used and that appears to be the case. The HSE, which is specifically charged with responsibility for the matter, is in the process of implementing a national overdose prevention strategy which would address the issue of...

Drugs Task Forces. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: The Government is firmly committed to tackling the problem of drug misuse in society. This is evidenced by the fact that the funding targeted at community-based initiatives funded through my Department's Vote doubled from 2003 to 2008, increasing from €31.5 million to more than €64 million. The relative reduction in the 2009 funding allocation to my Department for the drugs initiatives...

Drugs Task Forces. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: I agree with many of the Deputy's comments. However, it is important to clarify. In 2008, the funding available to the task forces was €34.776 million. This year, the figure is €34.6 million, a slight reduction. Task forces must make choices between projects, but it is also worth noting that the total spend including statutory agencies has increased significantly over the years. It is...

Community Development. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: The community development programme was established in 1990 in recognition of the role of community development in tackling the causes and effects of poverty and disadvantage. It aims to offer new opportunities to enable people to use and develop their skills, knowledge, experiences and common purpose to improve the quality of their own lives and the good of their community. A total of 184...

Community Development. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: No, I cannot. It would not be possible for me to make such a promise in advance of whatever will happen later in the month. Neither my Department nor any other will be immune to what is happening in the economy. I am aware of the work undertaken by these community development groups and other groups that work in communities. I will endeavour to work with all groups to ensure the services...

Community Development. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: As I said, I will work to ensure these services are provided. We constantly evaluate and monitor what is going on. These organisations do not work in isolation to other community groups, partnerships and so on. It is important that we achieve the maximum value for money. In the current economic climate, in which we face the prospect of cutbacks in all Departments, I cannot say in advance...

Community Development. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: I acknowledge the work that has been done under the community development programme. There are 184 of these projects throughout the State. I will work tirelessly to ensure the services, particularly front line services, they provide are maintained. Funding is a separate matter. It is important to ensure that we constantly evaluate and monitor what these groups are doing rather than just...

Community Development. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: The programme of support for locally based community and voluntary organisations provides funding towards the costs of refurbishing and equipping community facilities. Given the volume of applications received to date, the level of commitments to projects approved for funding to the end of 2008 and the reduced level of funding available this year, I regret that I have had to suspend the...

Community Development. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: I will try to be as helpful as possible. The scheme fell into three sections, with refurbishment grants to upgrade premises used for community benefit in the ownership of the local community and voluntary organisations. That goes to 95%, up to a maximum of €60,000. There was also a maximum grant of €10,000 towards the cost of equipment for community facilities, with a third section...

Community Development. (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: I agree with the Deputy and that is what we are trying to do. The maximum is €60,000 and it is not like a couple of hundred thousand euro is being spent on a sports facility. In some cases people in my Department work with people in the community to try to afford them the opportunity to complete the applications or get the additional information rather than telling them they are out...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 62 together. At the outset, I want to assure the Deputies that the roll-out of the new National Drugs Strategy (NDS) will not be postponed. Work is ongoing on the formulation of the Strategy for the period 2009-2016. As the Deputies are aware, a Steering Group, comprising representatives of the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, is currently...

Written Answers — Drugs Seizures: Drugs Seizures (4 Mar 2009)

John Curran: An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners have achieved significant success in recent years in relation to the number of drugs seizures, and the amount and value of the drugs involved, and I congratulate both organisations in this regard. The increase in seizures reflects the greater emphasis placed on the drugs problem during the period of the current National...