Results 5,261-5,280 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

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

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together. I refer the Deputy to my responses to Question Nos. 153 and 790 on 6 October 2009 in which I indicated my view that there should be a single focussed social inclusion/community development programme with a single delivery structure. In relation to services provided by Community Development Projects, it is my intention that my Department...

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

John Curran: The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) and the Community Development Programme (CDP) are my Department's two main social inclusion/community development programmes. Both have a community development element and both are delivered through separate local delivery structures. I have already indicated that my strong view is that a single focussed programme with a single...

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

John Curran: I propose to take Question Nos. 408 and 409 together. 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 focussed programme with clear objectives and simplified and streamlined delivery structures.

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (14 Oct 2009)

John Curran: As the Deputy is aware, as with many Government Programmes and initiatives, the economic realities reflected in the Supplementary Budget allocations in April 2009 inevitably mean that the amount of funding available for the Community Development Programme is considerably less than in recent years. My Department is aware that this presents significant challenges for Community Development...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (14 Oct 2009)

John Curran: As I indicated to the House last week, the draft report is in the process of being prepared and, as agreed with the key stakeholders, will be made available to them in the first instance prior to making it more widely available. You will appreciate that any recommendation resulting from the review will need to be carefully considered before revising the current Scheme. I do not expect...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (13 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I can inform the Deputy that my Department is committed to providing a high quality Customer Service to all customers including those with a disability and that a wide range of documents on matters of concern to people with disabilities are published in large print, Braille, Audio, plain English and/or easy read pictures. Examples of these include documents such as the Disability Act, the...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (13 Oct 2009)

John Curran: My Department processed all eligible applications for support submitted in 2008 under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People, including an application submitted by the group referred to by the Deputy. I understand that the group in question submitted an application for funding for the installation of 62 monitored units, amounting to almost €18,000, on 15th April 2009. As with...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (13 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to questions numbered 125, 161 and 165 on 6 October 2009.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Oct 2009)

John Curran: It is good land.

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: In developing proposals for the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, my Department consulted widely with all partners, including the Department of Transport. The finalised Strategy includes an action to "implement random road side drug testing as soon as this is technically and legally possible", with the Department of Transport as lead agency for this action. I understand that, at this stage,...

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 161 and 165 together. The House will be aware that my Department has been conducting a comprehensive review of the arrangements underpinning the operation of the Scheme of Support for Older People. In line with previous commitments, the review has been completed and a draft report is being prepared. Pending consideration of the review and the putting in...

Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 141 together. The recent data produced by the Alcohol and Drug Research Unit of the Health Research Board related to the number of people being treated for cocaine and opiate use by various treatment services during the period 2002-2007. Such figures, focusing on treatment data, do not provide accurate estimates of the prevalence of drug use. Indeed,...

Written Answers — Small and Medium Enterprises: Small and Medium Enterprises (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 156 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment has primary responsibility in relation to the promotion of small and medium enterprises. However, my Department operates a range of initiatives, schemes and programmes that support the growth of business and enterprise. Relevant schemes include...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: The Office of the Minister for Drugs (OMD) was established on 1st September 2009 and it subsumed the functions previously undertaken by the Drugs Strategy Unit of my Department and the National Drugs Strategy Team. Its primary role will be to co-ordinate and oversee the delivery of the new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. Thirteen people are currently working in the OMD. In addition,...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: Currently, there are 14 Local and 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces throughout the country. The appendix below sets out details in this regard. As part of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16 launched by An Taoiseach last month, new institutional structures have been put in place to support the implementation of the Strategy, including the establishment of the Office of the Minister for Drugs...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: As the Deputy will be aware, the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was officially launched on 30 September 2008. The campaign was rolled out across fifteen Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces areas with funding being provided by my Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Dormant Accounts Fund. As was highlighted during the launch, the confidential number...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: The LDSIP and the CDP are my Departments two main social inclusion/community development programmes. Both have a community development element and both are delivered through separate local delivery structures. I have already indicated that my strong view is that a single focused programme with a single integrated delivery structure is now needed in order to maximise the impact of these two...

Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I have not had recent consultations with the Department of Health & Children, nor with the other parties referred to by the Deputy, in regard to research on the effects of cocaethylene. However, much is already known about its effects. The 2007 report of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs entitled "An Overview of Cocaine Use in Ireland II" identified the well established risks...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 aims to continue to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on five pillars, Supply Reduction, Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Research. Under the supply reduction pillar there will be renewed emphasis on reducing the volume of illicit drugs, disrupting the activities of organised...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (6 Oct 2009)

John Curran: I am aware of the report in question and I note that it states that, in 2008, nearly 1,000 new attendees accessed the needle exchange facilities provided by the organisation. However, this figure is in respect of new cases only, and it represents a reduction on the corresponding figure of 1,333 reported by the same organisation for 2007. Overall, the latest report advises that 4,657...