Results 5,481-5,500 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran
- Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I wish to clarify that the scheme was suspended following the budget and it is unfair to blame the Aire here beside me because it was my decision to suspend it and review it in the context of the budget. The Deputy asked if it was a review and will the scheme be brought back. The whole point of reviewing it is that the figures have increased very substantiallyââ
- Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)
John Curran: ââand at a time when we must be sure when spending the money that we are targeting those in real need. If we did not review the scheme and have guidelines in place, those people in real need would be missed. I did not have an opportunity to complete my reply in the House but it is important to say â in case there is any misunderstanding â that the applications received on hand prior...
- Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I reject the accusation that the review is a waste.
- Community Development. (29 Apr 2009)
John Curran: The scheme has been reviewed on a number of occasions and every time it was reviewed it improved significantly. The most recent review meant people could make an application on an ongoing basis. Traditionally, one could apply only once a year and if one missed that, one had to wait 12 months. If we are to target resources at people with real need, we must review this scheme to ensure it is...
- Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (28 Apr 2009)
John Curran: On 6 March, 2009, the chairperson of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) wrote to my predecessor on behalf of the Board of the NCCRI. In the course of that letter, the chairperson stated that that body is currently in the process of winding down. She also conveyed a number of recommendations on behalf of the Board regarding the need to continue to focus...
- Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (28 Apr 2009)
John Curran: The Scheme of Community Support for Older People was suspended on 7th April. This was done with a view to affording my Department the opportunity to review its operation over the next few months and re-launching it later in the year. Last week, I met with representatives of organisations involved with issues affecting older people and I have agreed with them a process that will set the broad...
- Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (28 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 335 together. The Community Development Programme was closed to new applicants following a government decision in 2004. Should the programme re-open to new groups, communities in RAPID areas would receive priority consideration for inclusion. In the meantime, I have asked my officials to examine the existing resources within the locality with a view to...
- Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (28 Apr 2009)
John Curran: An incomplete application was received from the group referred to by the Deputy in mid 2008. Documentation in respect of the expenditure of the previous grant awarded to this group in 2006 was not supplied with the new application, as required under the criteria for the Scheme. Officials in my Department have been in contact with this group on several occasions requesting this further...
- Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (28 Apr 2009)
John Curran: The purpose of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People, which was suspended on 7th April last, was to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. Funding under the Scheme was provided for door-locks, door-chains and window locks; for security lighting; for smoke alarms and for...
- Seanad: Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Report: Statements (28 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I want to preface my remarks on the report we are debating with some more general comments on integration matters as this is the first occasion I have addressed either House since my appointment as Minister with responsibility for integration. The most striking aspect of inward migration to Ireland has been the speed with which it has...
- Seanad: Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development Report: Statements (28 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I thank Senator Regan for his comments and questions. There is nothing like Senator O'Donovan coming in on my first day to give me a hard time. Before I refer specifically to some of the comments made, I would like to say that on previous occasions when I was involved in debate in this House on legislation, the Charities Bill in particular, the debate that occurred influenced and affected...
- Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (28 Apr 2009)
John Curran: Significant changes have occurred in the pattern of drug use since the 2001-08 national drugs strategy was developed. In particular, the number of drugs involved has increased and polydrug use occurs to a greater extent. It is now accepted that problem drug use has spread throughout most of the country, presenting a broader challenge of bringing rehabilitation facilities. The 2001-08...
- Seanad: National Drugs Strategy (28 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I have not been given a date for it yet. Incidentally, that review pertains to all rehabilitation, community, voluntary and statutory.
- Seanad: Care of the Elderly (23 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I thank Senator Fitzgerald for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am pleased to have the opportunity to address this issue and will attempt to respond to the points raised as directly as possible. My Department has operated the scheme of community support for older people since it was established in mid-2002. It was originally devised in 1996, based on the simple concept of helping...
- Seanad: Care of the Elderly (23 Apr 2009)
John Curran: Continuous monitoring has nothing to do with the Department. It is a matter between the individual customer and the commercial companies which supply the monitoring. The customer pays a monitoring fee of between â¬50 and â¬100 per annum, and that will continue. I have a concern about real and genuine need. Throughout the years we dealt with about 6,000 applicants per annum. Last year we...
- Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (23 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 166 together. The Scheme of Community Support for Older People was suspended on 7th April. This was done with a view to affording my Department the opportunity to review its operation over the next few months and re-launching it later in the year. Earlier this week, I met with representatives of organisations involved with issues affecting older...
- Haulage Licensing. (22 Apr 2009)
John Curran: A road haulage operator's licence is granted under section 2 of the Road Traffic and Transport Act 2006 and entitles the holder to carry on a road haulage business for hire or reward. Further statutory regulations govern various details regarding the application process. An international licence enables the holder to carry goods for hire and reward throughout Ireland and the European Union....
- Community Support for Older People. (22 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. I am particularly pleased, personally, to have the opportunity to address this debate this evening. I had responsibility for this matter before today and I am pleased to have responsibility for it again.
- Community Support for Older People. (22 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I am very pleased to have the opportunity to be back in this position. My Department has operated the scheme of community support for older people since mid-2002, when the Department was first established. The scheme, as originally devised in 1996, was based on the simple concept of helping people active in their communities to maintain contact with older people in their neighbourhood....
- Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (22 Apr 2009)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 to 522, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 98 on 9 April last.