Results 5,221-5,240 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

National Drugs Strategy. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I agree with the Deputy that prevention is the key. I refer to those who are currently addicted and are looking for treatment. The figures referred to are for 2006 to 2007. It is a concern that during times of recession, the emergence of heroin use can pose a significant problem. I have had discussions with the HSE. It was decided in the past month to have additional clinical services up...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The Scheme of Community Support for Older People supports qualifying older people, aged 65 and older, by providing funding towards the cost of purchasing and installing monitored personal alarms, monitored smoke/carbon-monoxide detectors and other ancillary items of security equipment. Applications for assistance under the Scheme can only be submitted through an individual applicant's local...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Applications for support continue to be accepted by my Department under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. In order to ensure an equitable distribution of available funds and allow for the installation of equipment before Christmas, Groups were encouraged to submit applications to the Department by 21st October 2009. Applications received after this date will continue to be...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 refer to the existing section 5 and amendment No. 5 proposes an insertion into the existing section 11. All the amendments are linked. The first amendment proposes to expand the definition of a holding area officer to include a member in charge in a Garda station, with the second amendment providing a definition for member in charge. The subsequent amendment to the...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The purpose is to indicate in a legislative framework what the practice is in rural Ireland from the point of view of small courthouses which do not have the facilities. It would be an omission from the legislation not to deal with the issue at this stage. With regard to the manner in which people are held in temporary custody, whether they are prisoners or in Garda custody, all the normal...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: As Senator Bacik said, the amendment is a variation of a similar amendment proposed on Committee Stage in the Dáil. It was considered by the Attorney General's office but is regarded as unnecessary. "Person" in the context of section 7 of the Bill could never be interpreted as including persons in general. Under section 7, the reference to placement in temporary custody under section 6...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I re-emphasise that we are not seeking to create new categories of custody. The advice of the Attorney General is clear, namely, that the amendment is unnecessary. In that context, I cannot accept the amendment.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: If I can envisage such another capacity, will the Senator withdraw her amendment?

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Again, I must reject this proposed amendment. If I were to accept the amendment, it would have a limiting effect on the purpose of temporary custody under the Bill. It would limit that purpose to a person's participation in a hearing as a witness only. The intention of the Bill is to ensure flexibility to allow for other reasons for that person's presence in court, such as to observe...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I understand both the impetus behind the amendment and what the Senator is seeking to achieve. We have given the amendment some careful consideration. The Bill provides for temporary custody in the very limited circumstances outlined in section 7. This temporary custody is sui generis and limited in scope. The most important aspects of a person's treatment, that is, being kept safe and...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The only persons this Bill affects are people who are already in custody. They are either a prisoner or a person who is already lawfully in custody of the Garda. The Bill, as I already stated, does not create some new form of custody. If the person concerned is a prisoner, then he or she remains subject to and under the protection of the existing prison rules and regulations. If the...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Senator Bacik recognises the various regulations that already exist. This provision for the Minister may be appropriate because of the temporary nature of the custody involved in transferring it from one group to another. As a result of that, I oppose the amendment.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: We have already had the debate on this. I have outlined our reasons for opposing it, although I understand it. I have given consideration to the amendment having looked at it before, but I have not changed my position following the debate here, so I will be opposing it. Amendment lapsed. Bill be received for final consideration and passed.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (10 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 330 together. As I have previously indicated, my view is that a focused programme with a single integrated delivery structure is needed to maximise the impact of the local development programme and the community development programme, which serve disadvantaged communities. My overall aim is to ensure that, from 2010, having regard to the budgetary...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (10 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 325 together. My Department has received 224 applications from Community Groups around the country under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People between 6th October and the 21st October 2009. 57 applications amounting to approximately €138,000 and covering 470 elderly individuals have been approved since the scheme was reopened. As of today...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (10 Nov 2009)

John Curran: My Department has provided funding of approximately €1.38m to date in 2009 under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. The amounts paid by county are set out in the following table. County Total Amount County Total Amount County Total Amount Carlow 24,911.47 Kilkenny 12,291.25 Offaly 12,480.88 Cavan 29,495.16 Laois 43,063.84 Roscommon 32,282.40 Clare 56,190.92 Leitrim...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (10 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Women's Aid is funded as a Specialist Support Agency for Community Development Projects under my Department's Community Development Programme and provide advice, guidance and training in the area of domestic violence. The amount of funding allocated to Women's Aid between 2006 and 2008 was €594,594. An indicative allocation of €181,041 is available for 2009. Many other projects funded...

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I thank Senators Regan, MacDonald, Bacik, Walsh, de Búrca and Mullen for their contributions to Second Stage on this technical but important Bill. I acknowledge the support expressed on all sides for the Bill. While a number of issues raised by Senators can be more thoroughly addressed on Committee Stage, I wish to respond in a more general way. The provision on bail recognisance is...

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Senator McDonald referred to Garda time being wasted and the need to free up Garda services. I understand the Garda Inspectorate has examined this issue and recommended the extended use of the court presenters. The obvious benefit of such a decision would be to address the issue raised by the Senator. Senator Walsh raised many issues.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

John Curran: He spoke, for example, about inefficiencies in the Courts Service. The service has made significant strides in improving levels of efficiency and service. I referred to some of the improvements implemented in the past decade. The Judiciary is directly involved in developing and implementing these improvements and modernisation measures. Senators will be familiar with the phrase, "Much done...