Results 1,441-1,460 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (2 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the human resource management function for Garda members, that the information requested is not readily available and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources relative to the information sought.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (2 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Garda youth diversion projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved or further involved in anti-social and — or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects also...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (2 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Brittas area forms part of the Tallaght sub-district. Uniformed gardaí from Tallaght together with the local traffic unit and district detective unit also patrol the area. These are augmented by patrols from the divisional crime task force and the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (2 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are five gardaí residing in official accommodation in four separate Garda stations, including Clane, Kilcullen, Newbridge and Ballitore. I understand that work commenced recently to provide garage accommodation at the Clane station. Garda accommodation is kept under regular review to ensure that it meets the operational requirements of...

Written Answers — Travel Documents: Travel Documents (2 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Where the holder of the type of travel document referred to by the Deputy notifies my Department that the document has been lost or stolen, a letter enclosing a standard application form for a replacement travel document issues to the person. The application form furnished to the person in question has not been returned to date. To assist in the matter a further application form has now...

Written Answers — Extradition Arrangements: Extradition Arrangements (2 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: While I am aware of the changes referred to by the Deputy, I have had no discussions with the Home Secretary on these matters. In so far as extradition arrangements are concerned, the Deputy will be aware that, with effect from 1 January last, the European arrest warrant, EAW, has replaced previous extradition arrangements between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Those previous arrangements...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 to 227, inclusive, and 239 together. The figures in the following table show the number of non-national parents of Irish born children deported since the Supreme Court decision in the L&O case in January 2003. The figures do not distinguish whether one or both parents were non-EU nationals, as such separate statistics are not maintained. Month Year...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. Because of security reasons and the need to carry out essential maintenance, a small cohort of prison staff continue to be assigned to duties at both the Curragh and Fort Mitchel places of detention. There are currently 11 and 12 staff serving at the Curragh and Fort Mitchel respectively. Any overtime payments to the staff who continue to...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that the mothballing of the Curragh Place of Detention and Fort Mitchel Place of Detention was the subject of a Government decision on 11 November 2003. That decision approved a series of measures to be taken on a rolling basis with effect from 1 January, 2004 in the event of failure to reach agreement with the Prison Officers Association on a change agenda aimed at...

Written Answers — Disability Support Service: Disability Support Service (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: This figure of approximately €2.5 billion in 2004 was allocated to services and supports for persons with disabilities across a number of key Departments. The main elements of the expenditure are in the health sector, approximately €1.9 billion; special needs education funded through the Department of Education and Science, approximately €400 million; and the remainder is administered...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that a garda is due to be allocated to the Garda station, referred to by the Deputy, on 3 December 2004. Regarding Garda resources generally, I am, pleased to say that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency which operates under the aegis of my Department is responsible for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services for asylum seekers. The agency currently operates 74 centres in 25 of the Twenty-six Counties. The accommodation centre located in Magee Barracks, Kildare Town currently houses 138 residents. Since January 2003 the numbers accommodated...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 168 of 4 November 2004 based on the response from the Garda authorities on the matter. I am advised by the Garda authorities that it remains the case that no request for information has been received from the planning enforcement section of Dublin City Council, notwithstanding that the council report supplied by the Deputy envisaged such a...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that a survey of the electromagnetic field strength of the mast installation on the Garda station referred to by the Deputy has not been carried out. I am advised, however, that the antennae configuration on the mast concerned is typical of a number of Garda stations both in the Dublin metropolitan region and throughout the country. In my reply to the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: There are plans to address the inadequate Garda accommodation in Dunmanway. The Office of Public Works, which was until recently working towards the refurbishment of the existing, vacant, Garda station, has now indicated that it no longer favours pursuing this course. It has, however, suggested an alternative proposal which would involve a move away from the station's current temporary...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by officials in the citizenship section of my Department that there is no record of an application for naturalisation or a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship having been received from the person referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359, 360 and 383 together. The Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2004 prohibit discrimination in the context of employment on nine grounds and the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 prohibit discrimination regarding the provision of goods and services, including accommodation on the same nine grounds. Both sets of Acts prohibit discrimination on the basis of race,...

Written Answers — Drug Treatment Services: Drug Treatment Services (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: As envisaged in the programme for Government, the introduction of mandatory drug testing will be central to supporting future policy on drug supply and demand reduction in prisons. Already prisoners accommodated in the open centres at Shelton Abbey and Loughan House and in the designated drug-free areas of the training unit in the Mountjoy complex, St. Patrick's institution and Wheatfield...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The traditional approach to sentencing is for the Oireachtas to lay down the maximum penalty and for a court having considered all the circumstances of the case to impose an appropriate penalty up to that maximum. This approach reflects the doctrine of the separation of powers. The Executive lays down the possible punishment range but it is for the courts to decide the punishment to be...