Results 1,241-1,260 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Seanad: Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Report: Statements (28 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I want to preface my remarks on the report we are debating with some more general comments on integration matters as this is the first occasion I have addressed either House since my appointment as Minister with responsibility for integration. The most striking aspect of inward migration to Ireland has been the speed with which it has...

Seanad: Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Report: Statements (28 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I thank Senator Regan for his comments and questions. There is nothing like Senator O'Donovan coming in on my first day to give me a hard time. Before I refer specifically to some of the comments made, I would like to say that on previous occasions when I was involved in debate in this House on legislation, the Charities Bill in particular, the debate that occurred influenced and affected...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (28 Apr 2009)

John Curran: Significant changes have occurred in the pattern of drug use since the 2001-08 national drugs strategy was developed. In particular, the number of drugs involved has increased and polydrug use occurs to a greater extent. It is now accepted that problem drug use has spread throughout most of the country, presenting a broader challenge of bringing rehabilitation facilities. The 2001-08...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (28 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I have not been given a date for it yet. Incidentally, that review pertains to all rehabilitation, community, voluntary and statutory.

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together. The scheme of community support for older people was suspended on 7 April. This was done with a view to affording my Department the opportunity to review the scheme's operation and to consult with interested parties over the next few months to address a number of concerns. It is essential that we recognise the home security concerns of...

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I reject the Deputy's allegation about the local elections. If I were being devious I would not have made the announcement until after the local elections——

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: It is easy for Deputy Ring to stand up and say there is loads of money in the Department. When he suggests that funding should be cut elsewhere, where would he cut the funding. On what programme would he cut funding?

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I will afford him the opportunity.

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I am doing my best to answer them.

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I wish to clarify that the scheme was suspended following the budget and it is unfair to blame the Aire here beside me because it was my decision to suspend it and review it in the context of the budget. The Deputy asked if it was a review and will the scheme be brought back. The whole point of reviewing it is that the figures have increased very substantially——

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: ——and at a time when we must be sure when spending the money that we are targeting those in real need. If we did not review the scheme and have guidelines in place, those people in real need would be missed. I did not have an opportunity to complete my reply in the House but it is important to say — in case there is any misunderstanding — that the applications received on hand prior...

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I reject the accusation that the review is a waste.

Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: The scheme has been reviewed on a number of occasions and every time it was reviewed it improved significantly. The most recent review meant people could make an application on an ongoing basis. Traditionally, one could apply only once a year and if one missed that, one had to wait 12 months. If we are to target resources at people with real need, we must review this scheme to ensure it is...

National Drugs Strategy. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 79 and 80 together. I have been re-appointed as a Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, community affairs and with special responsibility for integration policy. I can assure the Deputies that the change in responsibilities will have no implications for the...

National Drugs Strategy. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: The delay in publishing the strategy was due to the fact that during the consultation process, much interest was raised in the area of alcohol and the relationship between alcohol and drugs. In that regard, the Government recently made a decision that alcohol would be included in a joint strategy. However, the reality was that much work had been done towards the preparation of a current...

National Drugs Strategy. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I thank the Deputy for the questions. I refer to the last question on spending, an area which causes grave concern. It is very difficult to quantify the spend at any point in time because a partnership approach is taken. We can target the funding in respect of the community and voluntary sectors, so we know what we spend. However, it is not possible to do so in respect of the statutory...

National Drugs Strategy. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: The transitional arrangements come into place because a Government decision on the strategy has not been adopted. The contracts with the NDST will be terminated on 30 April.

National Drugs Strategy. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: During the public consultation process, it became very apparent there was much synergy between alcohol and drugs, particularly among young people and in respect of education, prevention and so on. However, we were fairly far advanced with the drugs strategy, which will be adopted as is without the inclusion of alcohol at this point. One of the specific actions is that in September of this...

National Drugs Strategy. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I thank Deputy Ring for his support. In regard to threats of resignations in community groups or task forces, nobody has brought that to my attention. During the deliberation process of formulating the new strategy, the community group representatives walked away from the steering committee. I met them and they had a number of specific concerns which we addressed. They are now back in...

National Drugs Strategy. (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: The Deputy asked an interesting question about the possibility of an increase in drug use during the recession. All I can say is that it depends on the evidence one examines. The pattern of drug use often changes as economic conditions change. The use of cocaine in affluent areas increased during the economic boom. During a recession, there is often an increase in heroin use in...