Results 5,241-5,260 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

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

John Curran: I thank the Seanad for agreeing to consider this legislation today. Most Members will appreciate that since the Courts Service was established in 1999, it has energetically and systematically pursued a programme of transforming the physical infrastructure of the courts. Not so long ago, many of our courthouses provided their users with a pretty dismal experience. In a relatively short...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (5 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I am aware of the growth in the number of Head Shops and the activities of these shops selling substances that are represented as being "legal highs" or "herbal highs". These products are currently not scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, but may have effects similar to those of illicit substances. Community groups, amongst others, have raised their concerns with me and two of...

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

John Curran: He does not have any spare time.

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

John Curran: It is my pleasure to return to the Upper House to contribute to this debate. I complement Senator McFadden for tabling the motion because it is timely and relevant to the current situation. I thank her for her contribution and all those who have contributed to the debate. Before I respond to the issues raised and go through generally what is at issue I make one or two specific comments....

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I did not say that. I quantified the problem.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Valid applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in February 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to provide the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: As the Deputy is aware, the Dial to Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was launched on September 30th 2008. Since then, over 5,300 calls have been made to the phone line and over 1,450 information reports relayed to the Gardaí as a result. The Gardaí have confirmed that there have been 17 reports received to date in relation to Westmeath, of which 9 relate to Athlone. All of those reports contained...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 798, 802, 803, 806, 809 and 814 together. I have previously indicated that my strong view is that a single focussed programme with a single integrated delivery structure is appropriate in order to maximise the impact of the Local Development Social Inclusion and Community Development Programmes, which serve disadvantaged communities. My overall aim is to...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: My Department is responsible for the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. The Scheme supports qualifying older people, aged 65 and older, by providing funding towards the once-off cost of installing monitored personal alarms and other items of security and safety equipment. Applications should be made through the individual applicants local community or voluntary organisation. My...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for a range of schemes, which provide assistance, including financial assistance, to the youth services sector. However, while not having direct responsibility for the area, my Department implements and funds some measures that have a positive impact on the provision of services and facilities for youth. The Deputy will be aware that...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: My Department has been conducting a comprehensive review of the arrangements underpinning the operation of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. In line with previous commitments, the review has been completed and a draft report is being prepared and will be circulated in due course. The revised scheme will not be launched until early 2010 therefore no funding has been issued to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The following table attached provides details of funding allocated to the Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) in each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 to support projects in their respective areas. The Deputy should note that, with regard to 2009, the original current funding sum allocated to the LDTFs following the April 2009 Budget was €22.3m. When carryover from 2008 is taken into account,...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (3 Nov 2009)

John Curran: My Department is responsible for the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. The Scheme supports qualifying older people, aged 65 and older, by providing funding towards personal alarms and other items of security and safety equipment including smoke alarms. Applications should be made through the individual applicant's local community or voluntary organisation. My Department has...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (21 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I refer the Deputy to Question Nos. 153 and 790 on 6 October 2009. As I indicated in those replies, while I cannot be specific at this stage about the impact on specific bodies in particular areas, disadvantaged communities will benefit from a more focused programme with clear objectives and simplified and streamlined delivery structures.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (20 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I will communicate my decision on the funding in question to Dublin City Council shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (20 Oct 2009)

John Curran: The funding provided by my Office is focused on local authorities, who have the option of using it to assist groups in their area, major national sporting bodies and faith-based groups. As funding is necessarily limited, the intention is to provide it to the bodies with the greatest potential to involve large numbers of migrants in their activities. It is an EU requirement that Community...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (20 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together. The organisation to which the question refers was allocated €50,000 from a special integration initiative originally introduced in 2006. This provided for seed-funding in relation to integration initiatives for legally-resident immigrants. As was made clear in the official guidelines for this special fund, support was provided on a...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (20 Oct 2009)

John Curran: In the context of the Deputy's Question, it is being assumed that the Deputy is seeking an update on the figures provided to him in my Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of Wednesday, 8 July, 2009. Against that background, the updated positions are as set out hereunder. All figures relate to the positions as they applied at 30 September 2009 with all twelve month figures based on the...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (20 Oct 2009)

John Curran: The Scheme is open to all community groups who are eligible under the existing criteria. In the interest of ensuring an equitable distribution of support nationwide I am prioritising support for those groups that have not received funding so far in 2009 and have fulfilled the administrative criteria attaching to the Scheme. Applications from groups that have received funding already in 2009...