Results 5,761-5,780 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I thank Senators for their contributions to the debate. While I propose to comment on some of the issues raised, I will reflect on several other matters which were raised for the first time during this debate. Since my appointment about six months ago, the Charities Bill 2007 has been the only legislation with which I have had to deal. I do not know if many Ministers of State are landed...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: Before finalising on that, another point is that the organisations in this jurisdiction which are engaged in human rights activities and which are currently registered with Revenue will be deemed to automatically come within the remit of this legislation. As I said, the Revenue Commissioners do not recognise human rights per se. It is a question of trying to match terms that are consistent...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: The absence of a proper regulatory framework for the charities sector has been a matter of concern to this and previous Governments and to the charities sector. It is fair to say the sector welcomes appropriate regulation as a lack of regulation leaves it potentially open to abuse. The charities sector depends to a large extent on public confidence. It is estimated that currently more than...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: My apologies for that interruption. Section 26 is another standard provision in legislation of this type. Here, the authority will be required to introduce a superannuation scheme for its employees, and any such scheme will have to be approved by the Minister and laid before the Oireachtas. Any disputes in regard to superannuation benefits shall be adjudicated on by the Minister for...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I am pleased to introduce the Charities Bill 2007 to the House. Throughout the progression of the Bill through the Dáil there was a broad acceptance from all speakers that it was necessary and welcome. There was a healthy and constructive debate on all Stages, which resulted in the enhanced Bill that is presented to the Seanad today.

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (25 Nov 2008)

John Curran: The Scheme of Community Support for Older People, operated by my Department, provides funding to local community and voluntary groups who identify vulnerable older people over the age of 65 years in their communities and arrange for the installation of socially-monitored alarms and other items of physical security equipment. Any local voluntary or community-based organisation, especially...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Nov 2008)

John Curran: The project referred to by the Deputy is funded through the South Eastern Regional Drugs Task Force (SERDTF) and, in 2008, it was allocated funding of €182,282. The Task Force is responsible for the allocation of funding in line with its approved action plan and is charged with allocating funding in a manner, which it considers, will best address the needs in the region. In this regard, it...

Written Answers — Voluntary Sector: Voluntary Sector (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: In recent years, the Government has sought to actively encourage and support the community & voluntary sector and has prioritised significant resources in pursuit of this objective. This funding supports valued services that community & voluntary groups provide to Irish society on a not-for-profit basis. In addition, the role of the sector has been reflected in the evolution of social...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 108 and 382 together. Work on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy to cover the period 2009-2016 has been ongoing in my Department throughout 2008 and is continuing. The Steering Group established to develop proposals and make recommendations to me on the new Strategy has been meeting regularly during the year and the frequency of these...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I welcome the success of An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service in targeting the supply of drugs — both nationally and internationally — with the resultant continuing high levels of seizures on land and at sea. I am aware that these achievements are based on an intelligence-led approach and I am know that both organisations are committed to continuing to work together to reduce the...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 392, 394 and 395 together. As the Deputy is aware, the majority of expenditure allocated to community groups through my Department for drugs initiatives is channelled through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. A breakdown of funding across the different Task Force areas since 2003 is set out below. The outturn for both in 2008 is expected to be...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: The National Drugs Related Death Index (NDRDI), covering the period 1998-2005, was published by the Health Research Board last week in fulfilment of action 67 of the National Drug Strategy. The development of a comprehensive index was prioritised in the current Strategy as it was accepted that the level of drug related deaths — as reported by the General Mortality Register — was...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: The new National Drugs Strategy, which will cover the period 2009-2016, will include measures to deal with issues arising from the use of any illicit drug, including crystal meth. The emphasis will be on ensuring that there is an on-going comprehensive response to drug related problems — rather than on drug-specific measures per se. However, those involved in dealing with the drugs...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 380 together. As the Deputy will be aware, ten Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) were established in 2003/04 in the former Health Board areas to develop appropriate policies to deal with drug misuse in the regions. Across the ten RDTF areas, work is progressing on the implementation of their Action Plans with expenditure in 2007 coming to over...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: Funding for projects in Drugs Task Forces action plans in 2009 will be maintained at 2008 levels i.e. €32m. These action plans contain initiatives to tackle a range of issues across the pillars of treatment, rehabilitation, supply reduction as well as prevention measures. With regard to cocaine, under the Local Drugs Task Force Emerging Needs Fund, seven dedicated cocaine specific...

National Drugs Strategy. (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: As I outlined earlier today, the Government is firmly committed to tackling the problem of drug misuse in our society. The doubling of funding targeted at community-based initiatives funded through my Department's Vote, from €31.5 million in 2003 to more than €64 million in 2008, is, I believe, clear evidence of that commitment. The reduction in the 2009 funding allocation to my...

National Drugs Strategy. (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I disagree that we referred to 2003 except to show the increase over a five year period. I will be specific because the Deputy mentioned drugs task forces and funding cuts. As the Deputy is well aware, there is a recession in this country, Britain, the eurozone, the US and Japan. Consequently, the funding available to my Department is less this year than it was last year. Bearing this in...

National Drugs Strategy. (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: No. The Deputy is not reading the correct information. While the Deputy may choose not to listen, drugs task forces will receive €32 million next year, which is what they received in 2008. The Deputy can jump up and down as often as he likes, but they——

National Drugs Strategy. (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: ——will get the same in 2009.

National Drugs Strategy. (18 Nov 2008)

John Curran: In 2008, the funding for task forces was €32 million. Despite my Department and this subhead experiencing a 5% cut, front line services provided by the task forces will receive €32 million in 2009. The appeal is to consider new ways in which to do business. Instead of asking for more money to deliver the same services, the commercial principles that apply in the private sector should...