Results 4,681-4,700 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Options Paper prepared by the Working Group on Domestic Partnership was published on 28 November 2006. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 14 and 30 of 7 December 2006. The position is as set out therein.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency is currently providing accommodation and ancillary services for 5785 asylum seekers. The accommodation portfolio of the Reception and Integration Agency comprises 2 reception centres, 47 accommodation centres and 9 self catering centres. Details of this accommodation portfolio are below. The 2007 budgetary provision for the Reception and Integration...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The statistics required by the Deputy are set out in tabular form below. These figures illustrate a significant increase in the volume of applications for naturalisation received in recent years. I should point out that prior to 1997, each application was assigned a registration number, a record of which was then manually entered into ledgers. Some such registration numbers were subsequently...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The information sought by the Deputy in regard to the number of applications for asylum which were refused since 1992 is set out in tabular format below. Asylum Application and Appeal Statistics — 1992 to 2007 (28/02) Year No. of asylum applications received No. of asylum applications refused at first instance* No. of asylum appeals refused 1992 39 12 3 1993 91 14 17 1994 362 21 14...

Written Answers — Youth Diversion Projects: Youth Diversion Projects (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Garda Youth Diversion Projects are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved (or further involved) in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development and promote civic responsibility. The Garda Youth Diversion Projects are funded by my Department and...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: An Garda Síochána, as part of its contribution to the Europol Organised Crime Report which was recently refined to become the Organised Crime Threat Assessment (OCTA), undertakes an annual assessment of organised crime in Ireland. The most recent assessment was completed in November 2006. This analysis concludes that the nature of organised crime gangs continues to be the same as in...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: With the huge increase in Garda resources facilitated by this Government, I am satisfied that it has enabled a major investment by the Force in technology to meet the challenges of modern society. This year an unprecedented level of resources is being invested in technology for the Gardaí to assist them in the exercise of all their functions. The capital allocation for Information...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) on 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) on 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: High risk criminals are dispersed throughout the prison system. However, a substantial number of them are held in Portlaoise prison, which is currently operating at 63% of its capacity. I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that custodial procedures are not breached with respect to high risk criminals. The decision to locate an individual at a particular institution is normally...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The total number of prisoners in custody on 2 April, 2007 was 3,283 compared with a bed capacity of 3,416. This represents an occupancy level of 96%. In relation to the number of cells not designed to cater for more than one person, it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the time available as the information is not readily available. However, my Department...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that as part of their contribution to the Europol Organised Crime Report, which was recently refined to become the Organised Crime Threat Assessment (OCTA), An Garda Síochána undertakes an annual assessment of organised crime in Ireland. The most recent assessment was completed in November 2006. The analysis concludes that the nature of...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. I am been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I launched the Community-based CCTV Scheme in June 2005, in response to a demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. The Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. The Scheme offers both...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Exactly. I want to look at that issue very carefully. I have been contemplating for a few weeks whether the point Deputy Howlin raised on Second Stage is correct and I want to look at it. In regard to the judge's discretion, the Bill clearly provides that where it would be unjust to do so for specific and exceptional reasons it need not be done. As far as I am concerned, that is...