Results 3,501-3,520 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (30 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: 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.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (30 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to refer the Deputy to parliamentary question (Ref 12984/10) from Deputy Rabbitte which I responded to on 25/3/2010 in relation to this matter. A number of the measures in the Special Group Report (McCarthy) have been implemented at this stage in order to achieve reductions in the Departments Estimates for 2010. These relate to the programmes in a range of subheads which include...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (30 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is not possible to state, at this stage, when replies will issue to the Parliamentary Questions referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am pleased to say that there are now 562 attested Reserve Gardaí with an additional 101 student Reserves in training. Reserve members are allocated to Garda stations throughout the country, and I will write to the Deputy with the latest distribution details as soon as they are available. The Agreed Programme for Government has set a target strength for the Reserve at 10% of the full time...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 35 and 50 together. While the moratorium on appointments and promotions applies generally to the Garda Síochána, last year I obtained the sanction of the Minister for Finance for a number of senior positions, namely the appointment of 3 Chief Superintendents and 10 Superintendents. In addition, I recently obtained the sanction of the Minister for...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The management and disposal of Garda resources, including Garda aircraft, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am advised by the Commissioner that the sale of the AS355N Squirrel helicopter was undertaken in line with the relevant financial requirements and following the advertising of the helicopter for sale. The process which was pursued by the Commissioner was not restricted in any...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The organised crime unit was established on a permanent basis in January 2008 to tackle criminal gangs, including those involved in drug trafficking. Since then, the unit has proactively targeted criminal gangs engaged in diverse types of criminality which transcend the traditional Garda unit boundaries. The main functions of the organised crime unit are: to identify organised crime groups...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 42 together. My views on the question of a referendum on blasphemy are as stated in the House during the debate on 20 May 2009 of Committee Stage of the Defamation Bill 2006. I clearly stated that I hoped that the matter could be addressed by referendum at a suitable opportunity in the near future. In debates on the Bill in this House I explained the...

Written Answers — Private Security Services: Private Security Services (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004 is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. My Department has no role, therefore, in the issuing of private security...

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The latest available figures for the number of persons committed to prison for the non-payment of fines in the past four years is contained in the table. Year Number of Persons 2006 1,089 2007 1,335 2008 2,154 2009 (to 31/10/2009) 3,366 The latest available statistics pertaining to those imprisoned for civil debt related matters are as follows. Year Number of Persons 2006 194 2007...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the matter referred to by the Deputy is currently the subject of investigation by An Garda Síochána it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it at this time.

Written Answers — Rent Levels: Rent Levels (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Working Group I have established "to consider the operation of the current system for determining the rent payable on foot of a rent review clause, with particular emphasis on the arbitration process and the adequacy of the information available to all parties and, if necessary, to make such recommendations for change as may seem appropriate" will, it is envisaged, report by 30 June,...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 23, 24, 41, 51 and 71 together. It is important to emphasise that all of the cases where proceedings have not yet been taken remain under active investigation. The detection rate for murders by its nature increases over time as Garda investigations progress. It is expected that the number of convictions obtained will increase as Garda investigations are...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: My Department and the Garda Síochána, in consultation with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Attorney General, are considering proposals for a new system which would allow the taking of contemporaneous written notes to cease where interviews are electronically recorded. There is however a complex range of training, technological and legal issues to be...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulation: Taxi Regulation (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am not in a position to respond to the Deputy at this time, but will do so as soon as the relevant information is available.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: All agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are subject to the normal Department of Finance rules and Procedures governing the cost effective expenditure of monies provided from public funds. Moreover a number of agencies are selected each year for detailed VFM review. Reports relating to these reviews are available to the Deputy from the Oireachtas Library.

Written Answers — Disability Strategy : Disability Strategy (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The key elements of the National Disability Strategy are: the Disability Act 2005; the Citizen's Information Act, 2007; the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004; Sectoral Plans and a multi-annual investment programme that was targeted at high-priority disability support services. The Strategy is, in large measure, being implemented. The Deputy will be aware that...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I published a Value for Money and Policy Review of the operation of the Community Service Scheme last October. This independent review found that the Scheme was not being used to the extent that it had been in the past. Furthermore, it found that the Community Service Supervisors then employed, operating at full capacity, could provide supervision services to three times as many offenders as...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (25 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 45 together. In February 2008 the Garda Commissioner established a group to review training and development for garda and civilian staff in the Garda Síochána. The review group, chaired by Mr Pat McLoughlin, formerly of the Health Service Executive, carried out an extensive analysis of the training needs of the organisation and consulted widely with...