Results 2,801-2,820 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

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 — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (9 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 913 on 25 January 2006 relating to Exchequer funding for vulnerable Irish communities abroad. Under the Dormant Accounts Acts 2001 to 2005, information regarding those who opened accounts that have been deemed dormant accounts is maintained by the relevant financial institutions so that funds can be repatriated to these persons or their...

Written Answers — Health Service Schemes: Health Service Schemes (9 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The scheme referred to is operated by Health Service Executive and my Department has no function in the matter.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (9 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Following the approval by Cork County Council of the comprehensive feasibility assessment carried out on this site, an amendment to the local area plan was advertised on 20 February 2006 and will remain on public display for inspection until 3 April 2006 in the two relevant divisional areas. In parallel with this process, the council is also engaging with consultants to draw up plans for the...

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (9 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The recommendations of the Indecon report regarding the disabled persons grant scheme have been noted and will be considered in the context of the review of the scheme being finalised in my Department at the moment.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 61, 63, 103, 104 and 114 together. The very high level of investment in new accommodation in recent years has improved the quality of accommodation generally. However, there is still a proportion of sub-standard rented properties. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The new Centre for Housing Research replaces the housing unit which was set up as a joint initiative between my Department and the local authorities in 1998. The overall purpose of the centre is to facilitate the improved management of the public and social housing sector and, in this regard the centre will continue to undertake tasks previously done by the housing unit. These tasks include...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Local authorities are responsible for meeting the accommodation needs of homeless persons. It is consequently a matter for individual authorities to determine the level of bed and breakfast accommodation to be provided, having regard to the need for such accommodation within their areas. My Department does not have detailed information on the number of families housed in bed and breakfast...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Government has been actively addressing the issue of housing affordability. Our policy has been to make housing supply more responsive to demand in order to improve affordability and access to housing, particularly for first-time buyers. There is clear evidence that this policy is having an effect — 2005 was the eleventh year of record overall house completions with nearly 81,000...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Mar 2006)

Noel Ahern: Consumer protection and information in relation to financial products is a matter for the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, under the aegis of the Minister for Finance, which has responsibility for the regulation of financial institutions generally. The Government has been actively addressing the issue of housing affordability. Our policy has been to make housing supply more...