Results 1,481-1,500 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: My Department has been conducting a comprehensive review of the arrangements underpinning the operation of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. In line with previous commitments, the review has been completed and a draft report is being prepared and will be circulated in due course. The revised scheme will not be launched until early 2010 therefore no funding has been issued to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The following table attached provides details of funding allocated to the Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 to support projects in their respective areas. The Deputy should note that, with regard to 2009, the original current funding sum allocated to the LDTFs following the April 2009 Budget was €22.3m. When carryover from 2008 is taken into account,...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: My Department is responsible for the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. The Scheme supports qualifying older people, aged 65 and older, by providing funding towards personal alarms and other items of security and safety equipment including smoke alarms. Applications should be made through the individual applicant's local community or voluntary organisation. My Department has...

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

John Curran: He does not have any spare time.

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

John Curran: It is my pleasure to return to the Upper House to contribute to this debate. I complement Senator McFadden for tabling the motion because it is timely and relevant to the current situation. I thank her for her contribution and all those who have contributed to the debate. Before I respond to the issues raised and go through generally what is at issue I make one or two specific comments....

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I did not say that. I quantified the problem.

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (5 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I am aware of the growth in the number of Head Shops and the activities of these shops selling substances that are represented as being "legal highs" or "herbal highs". These products are currently not scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, but may have effects similar to those of illicit substances. Community groups, amongst others, have raised their concerns with me and two of...

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I thank the Seanad for agreeing to consider this legislation today. Most Members will appreciate that since the Courts Service was established in 1999, it has energetically and systematically pursued a programme of transforming the physical infrastructure of the courts. Not so long ago, many of our courthouses provided their users with a pretty dismal experience. In a relatively short...

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I thank Senators Regan, MacDonald, Bacik, Walsh, de Búrca and Mullen for their contributions to Second Stage on this technical but important Bill. I acknowledge the support expressed on all sides for the Bill. While a number of issues raised by Senators can be more thoroughly addressed on Committee Stage, I wish to respond in a more general way. The provision on bail recognisance is...

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Senator McDonald referred to Garda time being wasted and the need to free up Garda services. I understand the Garda Inspectorate has examined this issue and recommended the extended use of the court presenters. The obvious benefit of such a decision would be to address the issue raised by the Senator. Senator Walsh raised many issues.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

John Curran: He spoke, for example, about inefficiencies in the Courts Service. The service has made significant strides in improving levels of efficiency and service. I referred to some of the improvements implemented in the past decade. The Judiciary is directly involved in developing and implementing these improvements and modernisation measures. Senators will be familiar with the phrase, "Much done...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (10 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 330 together. As I have previously indicated, my view is that a focused programme with a single integrated delivery structure is needed to maximise the impact of the local development programme and the community development programme, which serve disadvantaged communities. My overall aim is to ensure that, from 2010, having regard to the budgetary...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (10 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 325 together. My Department has received 224 applications from Community Groups around the country under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People between 6th October and the 21st October 2009. 57 applications amounting to approximately €138,000 and covering 470 elderly individuals have been approved since the scheme was reopened. As of today...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (10 Nov 2009)

John Curran: My Department has provided funding of approximately €1.38m to date in 2009 under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. The amounts paid by county are set out in the following table. County Total Amount County Total Amount County Total Amount Carlow 24,911.47 Kilkenny 12,291.25 Offaly 12,480.88 Cavan 29,495.16 Laois 43,063.84 Roscommon 32,282.40 Clare 56,190.92 Leitrim...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (10 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Women's Aid is funded as a Specialist Support Agency for Community Development Projects under my Department's Community Development Programme and provide advice, guidance and training in the area of domestic violence. The amount of funding allocated to Women's Aid between 2006 and 2008 was €594,594. An indicative allocation of €181,041 is available for 2009. Many other projects funded...

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

John Curran: The Scheme of Community Support for Older People supports qualifying older people, aged 65 and older, by providing funding towards the cost of purchasing and installing monitored personal alarms, monitored smoke/carbon-monoxide detectors and other ancillary items of security equipment. Applications for assistance under the Scheme can only be submitted through an individual applicant's local...

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

John Curran: Applications for support continue to be accepted by my Department under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. In order to ensure an equitable distribution of available funds and allow for the installation of equipment before Christmas, Groups were encouraged to submit applications to the Department by 21st October 2009. Applications received after this date will continue to be...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 refer to the existing section 5 and amendment No. 5 proposes an insertion into the existing section 11. All the amendments are linked. The first amendment proposes to expand the definition of a holding area officer to include a member in charge in a Garda station, with the second amendment providing a definition for member in charge. The subsequent amendment to the...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The purpose is to indicate in a legislative framework what the practice is in rural Ireland from the point of view of small courthouses which do not have the facilities. It would be an omission from the legislation not to deal with the issue at this stage. With regard to the manner in which people are held in temporary custody, whether they are prisoners or in Garda custody, all the normal...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: As Senator Bacik said, the amendment is a variation of a similar amendment proposed on Committee Stage in the Dáil. It was considered by the Attorney General's office but is regarded as unnecessary. "Person" in the context of section 7 of the Bill could never be interpreted as including persons in general. Under section 7, the reference to placement in temporary custody under section 6...