Results 12,821-12,840 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Under the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) (Amendment) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 498 of 2001) which commenced on 31 October 2001, the height requirement for entry to the Garda Síochána was abolished. These Regulations also provide for a physical competence test to be completed prior to entry to the Garda Síochána.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is regularly patrolled by uniform and plain clothes gardaí from its local Garda station with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area. These patrols are backed up by Divisional Garda Units, including the Traffic Corps, Mountain Bike, Drug, Task Force and the District and Divisional Detective...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The position in relation to granting long-term residency is as follows — people who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. I...

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of designated full-time community gardaí assigned at 31 December 2005 and 2006 was 453 and 497 respectively. The 2006 figure represents an increase of 44, or nearly 10%, in the number of gardaí assigned to community policing duties over the previous year's figure. Of course, all uniformed gardaí carry out community policing...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí attend the District Courts in Dublin as part of and in the course of their normal duties. It would be extremely difficult, and involve a disproportionate use of resources, to attempt to quantify the time spent by Gardaí in Court and the cost of same. I am further informed that the Garda authorities commenced a Court Presenter System as a...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Separate arrangements exist in respect of Criminal and Civil Legal Aid. In so far as Civil Legal Aid is concerned, the position is that the Legal Aid Board provides legal advice and assistance, including Refugee Legal Services, mainly through the solicitors it employs on a full-time basis in its law centre network nationwide. In 2006, the total remuneration paid to these solicitors amounted...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Airline personnel and crew are permitted to enter the State for the purpose of their employment, but they must present to an Immigration Officer for permission to enter the State and satisfy that officer of the bona fides of their visit and their employment, in accordance with section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004. They must be in possession of a passport or other equivalent document of...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by officials in the Citizenship section of my Department that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the Garda National Immigration Bureau will be in touch with the legal representatives of the person concerned very shortly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: An application for naturalisation from the person in question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department on 16 October, 2006. Applications received in the second half of 2004 are currently being processed and there are approximately 10,000 applications awaiting processing before that of the applicant. Such applications are generally dealt with in chronological order as this is...

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of designated full-time Community Gardaí assigned at 31 December, 2005 and 2006 was 453 and 497 respectively. The 2006 figure represents an increase of 44, or nearly 10%, in the number of Gardaí assigned to community policing duties over the previous year's figure. Of course, all uniformed Gardaí carry out community policing...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298 (or 21.5%) in the personnel...

Written Answers — Requests for Clemency: Requests for Clemency (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: No petition or application to open a petition is currently on hand for consideration by me in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy. I have arranged to forward to the Deputy the appropriate application form which should be completed and returned to my office by the person concerned. I should, however, bring to the Deputy's attention the fact that the 1995 High Court Judgement on...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware I launched the Community Based CCTV Scheme in June 2005 in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. This Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. The scheme...

Written Answers — Stardust Tragedy: Stardust Tragedy (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the Victims Committee has been advised that an external and independent examination of its submission is to be carried out by an eminent legal person. The arrangements for this examination are the subject of ongoing communication and will hopefully be agreed in the short term.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I launched the Community based CCTV Scheme in June 2005, in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. This Scheme provides financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. The scheme operates at two levels: Stage 1 for...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Deputy is primarily interested in information concerning institutional facilities with a residential component. Accordingly, I can inform him that there are four institutions under the administration of the Irish Prison Service in the constituency area in question. These are:- Mountjoy Prison — (Male and Female Prison) — North Circular Road, Dublin 7. St. Patrick's...

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being researched. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (27 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: There are no construction works under way at Arbour Hill Prison at present. A number of minor works are, however, being carried out on a site adjacent to the prison, which was recently transferred from the Department of Defence to the Irish Prison Service. These works include necessary items arising in the context of Health and Safety and security, as well as the provision of some temporary...