Results 1,261-1,280 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Infrastructure Stimulus Package: Motion (Resumed) (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I thank all sides of the House for their active participation in a debate on issues about which we all care greatly — the future prosperity and well-being of this country and how Government policy and investment can help secure that. That said, I must express some perplexity at some of the comments from Opposition benches about the wealth of the boom having been squandered and the...

Written Answers — Charities Regulation: Charities Regulation (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: The Charities Act 2007 was signed into law on 28 February 2009. The Act may be commenced in whole or in part by way of Ministerial Order. The Act, when commenced, will introduce a modern regulatory framework for charities in Ireland for the first time. The Act provides, inter alia, for the establishment of a new Charities Regulatory Authority, which will be responsible for establishing and...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 81 and 103 together. As the Deputies may be aware, I launched the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign in September 2008. The first phase was run 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). The confidential number used in...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 96, 105 and 111 together. On 31st March last, the Government gave approval for the development of a combined National Substance Misuse Strategy to cover both alcohol and drugs. As I am sure the Deputies will agree, this decision is very welcome and recognises the widespread public concern in Ireland in relation to the problem use of alcohol — both as a...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: Family support has been identified as a priority under the National Drugs Strategy (NDS) and many drugs projects that are funded by my Department include such support as part of the wider range of services that they provide. Some 36 projects in Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas focussing particularly (but not exclusively in some cases) on family support issues have been approved...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (29 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the location referred to is in the Clontarf Garda Sub-District and that the location, which was visited by members of the local Community Policing Unit, appears to be an occupied private dwelling. While at present no complaints in respect of the location are the subject of Garda investigation, any such complaints received will be investigated. A...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (30 Apr 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together. My Department wrote to over 1,300 community and voluntary groups, including community alert groups, that have received funds from the Scheme of Community Support for Older People in recent years to advise them of the suspension of funding. The letter was issued on 7th April 2009. The letter contained contact details for members of staff...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (6 May 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 399 together. I would refer the Deputies to my reply to questions numbered 68 and 69 on 29th April 2009.

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (6 May 2009)

John Curran: Correspondence from the group in question was received by my Department and has been responded to. I would also refer the Deputy to my reply to questions numbered 68 and 69 on 29 April 2009 in relation to the Scheme of Community Support for Older People.

Special Educational Needs: Motion (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

John Curran: Yesterday, the Minister for Education and Science clearly set out the Government's commitment to meeting the needs of children with special educational needs. The Government's track record over the past decade in providing substantial additional resources, including in particular extra teachers, special needs assistants, assistive technology funding and special school transport arrangements,...

Special Educational Needs: Motion (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

John Curran: The misinformation generated by the Opposition following the Minister's decision to close a number of special classes for pupils with mild general learning disabilities has caused unnecessary anxiety and distress for many parents of children with special educational needs. The impression that such children would be bereft of special needs support is disingenuous. The Minister has made it...

Special Educational Needs: Motion (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

John Curran: The education partners have indicated that they are broadly supportive of the general allocation model and the emphasis it places on inclusive education alongside providing flexibility to schools in supporting pupils who are eligible for this support. The Minister has stated that the Department of Education and Science is currently reviewing appeals from some of the schools where classes are...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (12 May 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 307 together. I refer the Deputy to my response to Questions 68 and 69 on 29 April 2009. As indicated in that reply, the Scheme of Community Support for Older People was suspended on 7th April in order to afford my Department the opportunity to review its operation. I met with representatives of organisations involved with issues affecting older...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (12 May 2009)

John Curran: My Department has operated the Scheme since mid-2002. In excess of €20m has been provided since then to community and voluntary organisations with an estimated 60,000 older people benefiting from the scheme. The Department does not provide funding to the providers of personal security devices. All funds under the scheme are provided to community groups, which are responsible for...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (13 May 2009)

John Curran: The person concerned has been granted Leave to Remain temporarily in the State for a three year period, to 1 July 2011. This decision was conveyed to the person concerned by letter dated 1 July 2008.

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (13 May 2009)

John Curran: I refer the Deputy to my response to Questions 68 and 69 on 29 April 2009. As indicated in that reply, the Scheme of Community Support for Older People was suspended on 7th April in order to afford my Department the opportunity to review its operation. I met with representatives of organisations involved with issues affecting older people and I have agreed with them a process that will set...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 May 2009)

John Curran: An application for funding under the programme of grant support for locally based community and voluntary organisations has been received from the group referred to by the Deputy. This particular programme was suspended at the end of February and it has not been possible to approve funding for the project. All projects have been contacted to inform them of this position.

Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2009)

John Curran: On behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, I thank Deputies for the comprehensive manner in which they have contributed to the debate on this important Bill. In particular, I will relay the points made by Deputy Barrett on the make-up of the board to the Minister. I listened to what he said and notes of it have been taken. We all acknowledge the importance of our...

Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (14 May 2009)

John Curran: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Transport, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (14 May 2009)

John Curran: As the Deputy will be aware, I was pleased to announce recently approval in principle for the establishment of a new post-primary school for Kingscourt, County Cavan. In this regard, an examination of the demographics and projected pupil numbers by the Forward Planning Section of my Department satisfied me that a facility for between 300 and 400 pupil places will be sustainable in this area...