Results 1,661-1,680 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Feb 2010)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 38 together. I have voiced my concerns in regard to the activities of headshops and substances represented as "legal highs" sold in these outlets on numerous occasions since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy. The problem of "legal highs" is not unique to Ireland and headshops are causing concern...
- Written Answers — Substance Misuse Strategy: Substance Misuse Strategy (18 Feb 2010)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together. I am confident that the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS) 2009-2016 will provide a comprehensive response to problem drug use in Ireland, and good progress is being made on its implementation. The Strategy seeks to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the...
- Written Answers — Substance Misuse Strategy: Substance Misuse Strategy (18 Feb 2010)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 43 together. A Steering Group, comprising representatives of the statutory, community, voluntary and industry sectors, was established last November to develop proposals and make recommendations on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. The Group is jointly chaired by officials from my Department and the Department of Health and Children. The third...
- Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (18 Feb 2010)
John Curran: My Department carried out a review of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People in 2009. I hope to publish the review before the end of this month, once I have received the input of other relevant Departments and organisations working with older people. My Department is also at an advanced stage in finalising arrangements for the implementation of a number of innovations to the scheme...
- Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (18 Feb 2010)
John Curran: The Government continues to advance a range of measures that support volunteering and active citizenship. In line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Active Citizenship, this year my Department will provide funding of over â¬2.5m to 22 volunteer centres around the country. Two of these centres â in Clare and Longford - are being funded for the first time. In 2009, the volunteer...
- Written Answers — Substance Misuse Strategy: Substance Misuse Strategy (18 Feb 2010)
John Curran: As the Deputy will be aware, the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign ran in three phases - across 15 Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas - in 2008 and 2009. To the end of last week, there were 5,845 calls made to the confidential line, with 1,627 reports being generated to the GardaÃ. Calls are spread right across the country, including areas that have not directly run a campaign, which...
- Written Answers — Substance Misuse Strategy: Substance Misuse Strategy (18 Feb 2010)
John Curran: I am arranging to have the information sought by the Deputy compiled and it will be forwarded directly to her as a matter of priority.
- Written Answers — Drugs Task Forces: Drugs Task Forces (18 Feb 2010)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 to 136, inclusive, together. 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 (RDTFs). The areas covered by the Task Forces are detailed below. The annual funding allocations are not made on a county basis but...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (23 Feb 2010)
John Curran: I have voiced my concerns in regard to the activities of headshops and substances represented as "legal highs" sold in these outlets on numerous occasions since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy. The problem of "legal highs" is not unique to Ireland and headshops are causing concern across Europe. A number of countries, including the UK,...
- Written Answers — Charities Regulation: Charities Regulation (2 Mar 2010)
John Curran: There are two issues of public concern raised in the Deputy's Question. Firstly, there is the practice of non-charities representing themselves as charities when collecting clothing and bric-a-brac from residences. Secondly, there is the public nuisance that can be caused by undertaking such collections at anti-social hours. At present, certain collectors of clothing and bric-a-brac convey...
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Mar 2010)
John Curran: Publicity in relation to the publication of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, including the arranging of interviews, press briefings and additional dissemination of information and press releases to the media, was co-ordinated by the Press and Information Office of my Department. Photographic services â¬860 Catering for 200 attendees â¬1,589 Printing of press folders â¬782 The...
- Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Bill 2009: Second Stage (2 Mar 2010)
John Curran: The timeframe might have been an issue.
- Seanad: Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Bill 2009: Second Stage (2 Mar 2010)
John Curran: I thank Senators from all sides for their positive and constructive contributions to the debate on this Bill. A number of interesting and relevant points were made and I will deal with as many of them possible as we conclude proceedings. Some of the points will also appear as amendments on Committee Stage, to which Senator Cummins alluded, and during further debate. I am glad the Senator...
- Written Answers — Drugs Task Forces: Drugs Task Forces (3 Mar 2010)
John Curran: As the Deputy will be aware, the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign ran across 15 Local and Regional Drugs Task Force areas in 2008 and 2009. At the end of 2009, nearly 5,770 calls had been made to the confidential phone number, generating almost 1,600 reports to the GardaÃ. The calls are spread right across the country including areas which have not directly run a campaign. This...
- Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (3 Mar 2010)
John Curran: I am endeavouring to ensure that the researcher post in the National Advisory Committee on Drugs will be filled as soon as possible and my officials are pursuing the matter with the Department of Finance with a view to resolving the issue.
- Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (3 Mar 2010)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 221 of 10 February 2010. I have had no discussions with the local development company in question, although I have met with the community development project (CDP) referred to by the Deputy. As I have previously stated, my primary concern is to make every effort to ensure that the front-line...
- Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010: Second Stage (4 Mar 2010)
John Curran: I thank Deputies who contributed to this debate. Many important and useful points were made and they have all been noted. In particular, Deputies Joe Carey and à Snodaigh stated that they intend to use Committee Stage to tease out a number of issues and table a number of amendments. I note that many of the points raised which people want to tease out on Committee State relate to Part 10...
- Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010: Second Stage (4 Mar 2010)
John Curran: It was the manner in which you said it. The Bill does not specify test methods. In any event, DNA results can be challenged under normal rules of evidence. Court procedures are not solely about DNA evidence. Normal rules of challenging evidence will apply. Deputy à Snodaigh also mentioned the Human Rights Commission and the Minister received its observations on the Bill. It acknowledges...
- Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010: Referral to Select Committee (4 Mar 2010)
John Curran: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Order of Reference of that committee.
- Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (4 Mar 2010)
John Curran: I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to his Question at this time. The information sought by the Deputy will be provided at a later date.