Results 1,441-1,460 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran
- National Drugs Strategy. (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: I am confident that the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 will significantly tackle the problem of drug misuse in Ireland over the period of its implementation. As the Deputy is aware, in developing the new strategy I established a steering group comprising representatives of all relevant sectors to develop proposals and to make recommendations to me. The Government subsequently accepted the...
- National Drugs Strategy. (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: Expenditure in this area is considerable at â¬275 million. As I stated in reply to earlier questions, the budgetary position for next year is not known. However, it is important that these considerable resources are spent in a co-ordinated way to ensure we are achieving maximum output and delivering effective services to the groups that need them. If we believe we can make a substantial...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: In developing proposals for the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, my Department consulted widely with all partners, including the Department of Transport. The finalised Strategy includes an action to "implement random road side drug testing as soon as this is technically and legally possible", with the Department of Transport as lead agency for this action. I understand that, at this stage,...
- Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 161 and 165 together. The House will be aware that my Department has been conducting a comprehensive review of the arrangements underpinning the operation of the Scheme of Support for Older People. In line with previous commitments, the review has been completed and a draft report is being prepared. Pending consideration of the review and the putting in...
- Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 141 together. The recent data produced by the Alcohol and Drug Research Unit of the Health Research Board related to the number of people being treated for cocaine and opiate use by various treatment services during the period 2002-2007. Such figures, focusing on treatment data, do not provide accurate estimates of the prevalence of drug use. Indeed,...
- Written Answers — Small and Medium Enterprises: Small and Medium Enterprises (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 156 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment has primary responsibility in relation to the promotion of small and medium enterprises. However, my Department operates a range of initiatives, schemes and programmes that support the growth of business and enterprise. Relevant schemes include...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: The Office of the Minister for Drugs (OMD) was established on 1st September 2009 and it subsumed the functions previously undertaken by the Drugs Strategy Unit of my Department and the National Drugs Strategy Team. Its primary role will be to co-ordinate and oversee the delivery of the new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. Thirteen people are currently working in the OMD. In addition,...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: Currently, there are 14 Local and 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces throughout the country. The appendix below sets out details in this regard. As part of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16 launched by An Taoiseach last month, new institutional structures have been put in place to support the implementation of the Strategy, including the establishment of the Office of the Minister for Drugs...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: As the Deputy will be aware, the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was officially launched on 30 September 2008. The campaign was rolled out across fifteen Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces areas with funding being provided by my Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Dormant Accounts Fund. As was highlighted during the launch, the confidential number...
- Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: The LDSIP and the CDP are my Departments two main social inclusion/community development programmes. Both have a community development element and both are delivered through separate local delivery structures. I have already indicated that my strong view is that a single focused programme with a single integrated delivery structure is now needed in order to maximise the impact of these two...
- Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: I have not had recent consultations with the Department of Health & Children, nor with the other parties referred to by the Deputy, in regard to research on the effects of cocaethylene. However, much is already known about its effects. The 2007 report of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs entitled "An Overview of Cocaine Use in Ireland II" identified the well established risks...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 aims to continue to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on five pillars, Supply Reduction, Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Research. Under the supply reduction pillar there will be renewed emphasis on reducing the volume of illicit drugs, disrupting the activities of organised...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: I am aware of the report in question and I note that it states that, in 2008, nearly 1,000 new attendees accessed the needle exchange facilities provided by the organisation. However, this figure is in respect of new cases only, and it represents a reduction on the corresponding figure of 1,333 reported by the same organisation for 2007. Overall, the latest report advises that 4,657...
- Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: My Department provides annual funding to twenty one volunteer centres across the country. A list of the Volunteer Centres and the funding allocated by my Department in 2009 is set out below. To date in 2009 over 7,600 individuals have registered to volunteer across the network of Volunteer Centres. This represents an increase in registrations on last year of more than 115%. In excess of...
- Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: The LDSIP and the CDP are my Departments two main social inclusion/community development programmes. Both have a community development element and both are delivered through separate local delivery structures. I have already indicated that my strong view is that a single focussed programme with a single integrated delivery structure is now needed in order to maximise the impact of these two...
- Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos 792, 793, 797, 803, 809 and 820 together. I refer the Deputies to my answer to Questions Nos. 125, 161 and 165 from earlier today.
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: While I have responsibility for the co-ordination of the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy, my colleague, Mary Harney T.D., Minister for Health and Children, has responsibility for the implementation of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984. Regulations made under these Acts control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: Funding for Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas in 2009 will be approx â¬32m. Of this amount, over â¬22m is being allocated to the Local Drugs Task Forces while over â¬10m is being earmarked for the Regionals. In relation to Co. Kildare, which is part of the South West RDTF area, the following allocations have been made: Project Details 2007 2008 2009 *Drug Prevention Education...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)
John Curran: As the Deputy will be aware, the majority of expenditure allocated to community groups through my Department for drugs initiatives is channelled through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. The current allocation for the Drugs Task Forces for this year is in the order of â¬32m. Capital funding of around â¬4.5m was also allocated in 2009. This allocation will fund existing and some new...
- National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Oct 2009)
John Curran: It is good land.