Results 2,381-2,400 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I can assure the Deputy that officials of my Department and myself are in ongoing contact with those involved in the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy. A comprehensive framework for a co-ordinated Government response to the issue of drug misuse is in place. The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 addresses the problem of drug misuse across a number of pillars — supply reduction,...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: As I advised the Deputy in answer to Question 111 recently, the Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund was established in 1998 to assist in the development of facilities (including sport and recreational facilities) and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem existed or had the potential to develop. To date, the focus of the Fund has been in the 14 Local Drugs Task...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the Report of the Steering Group on the Mid-term Review of the National Drugs Strategy was published in June 2005. The review sought to assess the impact and direction of the Strategy at this mid-point stage and, in this regard, the Group concentrated on identifying any necessary adjustments to the existing Strategy and on highlighting priorities for the second phase...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: My Department funds a Programme of Grants for Locally-Based Community and Voluntary Organisations, which supports the activities of local voluntary and community groups, addressing disadvantage in their community. The Programme makes funds available for small scale refurbishment of premises, for the purchase of essential equipment, including I.T. equipment, and for education, training and...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 175, inclusive, together. My Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The setting up of treatment programmes is a matter for the Health Services Executive and the Tánaiste Mary Harney, T.D, Minister for Health and Children. The current year's allocation to my Department for...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006 was published on 13 June 2006.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Drogheda Borough Council recently submitted proposals to my Department for approval for the construction of seven houses at the location in question. My Department has raised a number of design and layout issues regarding the proposal with the Council, and a response is awaited.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: That matter was addressed in Private Members' time and has been referred to a committee.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Gateways.

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Is the Deputy for the Bill?

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: Then what are all the "ifs" and "buts" about?

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy is going around in circles.

National Drugs Strategy. (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: One of the Deputy's colleagues spoke to me about that recently. The buses were geared at the more chaotic people who would not go to treatment centres. This was the thinking behind them. I will follow up on the matter for the Deputy. Many of the people who have a cocaine problem now were already attending services for other drug problems such as heroin. It is not necessary to have more...

National Drugs Strategy. (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I do not see the community drugs strategy as a failure. We are working with the community and all the statutory agencies. Drugs have not gone away and will not go away in the next year or two. As I said in my reply there may be people who are using drugs for recreational purposes. While on the prevention side we try to provide information to all sectors of society, our strategy is geared...

National Drugs Strategy. (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The figures are impressive. The Minister said that by Christmas there will be 14,000 gardaí when one includes those in training. In 18 months' time there will be 14,000 trained gardaí. There is a great deal of action. There are a few pilot joint policing committees in some areas of the city. The guidelines for same will come from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the...

National Drugs Strategy. (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: In regard to the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, in Dublin after the local and regional drug task forces were set up, we established a development committee comprising members from a drug task force, a local authority and a VEC, which looked at prevention. It is a case of trying to develop ideas that would help to provide facilities to give an alternative to young people. That...

Drugs and Crime in Ireland Report. (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am aware of the Health Research Board's report, Drugs and Crime in Ireland, which was published at the end of May as the third in its overview series. The publication had been flagged a number of months in advance at the consequences sub-committee of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, which operates under the aegis of my Department, and on which my Department is represented. The...

Drugs and Crime in Ireland Report. (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: I accept there is more cocaine coming into the country, though much of the usage is on the recreational level. Not many more people are seeking services in the area, and those who are were on heroin already and were in contact with the staff. Clearly there are links between drugs and violence, and that was the case in the past, certainly anecdotally in Dublin constituencies. The attitude is...

Drugs and Crime in Ireland Report. (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: It is not today or yesterday that there has been geographic discrimination, certainly in Dublin city. Some people would have used their grannies' addresses when applying for jobs. That is not new and we have all lived with it in parts of Dublin. There are incentives, though not monetary, for employers to take on certain people. I saw at least two projects in operation recently which were...

National Drugs Strategy. (14 Jun 2006)

Noel Ahern: The working group on rehabilitation was established in September 2005 and includes representatives from a range of Departments and agencies involved in delivering rehabilitation services, as well as representatives from the national drugs strategy team, NDST, the national advisory committee on drugs, NACD, and the community and voluntary sectors. The terms of reference of the group include...