Results 1,901-1,920 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The report of the steering group on the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy was published in June of 2005. The report was the culmination of a comprehensive review, which included extensive consultation with Departments, agencies and the public. The review was overseen by a steering group, chaired by my Department and made up of representatives of the relevant Departments and...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I do not deny that there are more drugs available now but supply reduction is one of the pillars of the strategy. At some levels, the Garda Síochána has been very successful. Seizures in recent years have yielded enormous amounts of drugs. The Garda Síochána and customs officials have been very successful. I recently attended the launch of a new x-ray scanner for use by customs officials,...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The people the Deputy is talking to on the ground——

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: We approve the plans and provide the funding.

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: There is no problem with funding.

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: There is no problem whatsoever with the money.

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I saw the Deputy's press release yesterday——

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Of course, but there is no problem with funding. Spending is being driven at local level by the regional drugs task forces. We do not give the money to those task forces. Different projects will involve the HSE, local authorities, VECs and so on. We would like such agencies to send their bills to us on a weekly or monthly basis but that does not happen. We will probably be hit by a raft of...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: There is a process involved in developing and building up a critical mass of appropriate staff. In many cases, it will take a number of months to get the key projects up and running. That is all being driven at local level, in co-operation with the national drugs strategy team. There is no block or hold in terms of the Department's role. All the plans from the regions were estimated to cost...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: No, they are up by 600 since the Government came to power eight years ago. The figures discussed yesterday do not include specialist units, most of which are based in Dublin. Extra gardaí have been assigned to the national drugs unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the bureau of fraud investigation. These are additional to the figures that Deputy English's colleague was arguing about...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Every Garda division has one.

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: We are driving the strategy. We are pushing it but we need a little pull as well. We are working with the national drugs strategy team. I understand the Deputy's concerns but it will happen as the year goes on. I would be concerned if a half a dozen staff were to begin working on the strategy next Monday. I would be much happier if there was one recruit every four weeks so that it is built up...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I assure the Deputy that I am in ongoing contact with all those involved in disrupting the use of illegal drugs, not just the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The available figures come from the joint national advisory committee on drugs and the drug and alcohol information and research unit, Northern Ireland, drug prevalence survey. This study surveyed 8,442 people aged 15 to...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. There is no doubt that crack cocaine is much more dangerous than any other illegal drugs. The potential damage of its widespread use is quite startling. When I was abroad last week, I took the opportunity to visit some drug awareness projects and discussed them with those concerned. The problems they have with crack cocaine are frightening...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I do not have an update on the evaluations but I have heard favourable reports on the project to which the Deputy referred. I will check on the situation and will revert to the Deputy privately on it. One part of the national drugs strategy is that projects must be evaluated before they are mainstreamed and funding is allocated. I accept that the reports of that project are positive and it is...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: While I have responsibility for the implementation of the national drugs strategy, the licensing of drugs such as methadone to treat heroin addiction is the responsibility of the Minister for Health and Children. Objective reviews and evaluations have consistently shown that the prescription of methadone can lead to reduced heroin use, reduced criminal activity and reduced spread of HIV and...

National Drugs Strategy. (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy's comments are reasonable. I repeat the reply that the programme has been generally successful and has reduced crime. I accept it is not suitable for everyone and it is not a long-term solution to put people on methadone and expect it to last for the rest of their lives. I mentioned bupenorphrine, which is called subutex in other countries. A report also exists on naloxone. The...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 75 and 99 together. Two weeks ago, I was pleased to announce Government approval of the general scheme for the Charities Regulation Bill 2006 and its publication on my Department's website, www.pobail.ie. The Government also determined that the general scheme should be sent to the Office of the Attorney General for priority drafting. Deputies will have...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I dealt with this issue comprehensively during Priority Questions. The Government is fully committed to providing supports to vulnerable Irish communities living abroad. This commitment is clearly demonstrated by the allocation of significant funding directly from the Exchequer to support emigrant organisations. The figure in 2006 comes to over €12 million. With regard to the dormant...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (21 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 94 together. My Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the national drugs strategy 2001-08. This incorporates the work of the local and regional drugs task forces and the young people's facilities and services fund. Through these initiatives a broad range of community and voluntary groups are funded to tackle drug...