Results 5,801-5,820 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Social Welfare Fraud. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Operations against persons involved in serious crime in this jurisdiction are undertaken on an ongoing basis. Such criminals, their operating methods, criminal interests and financial assets are proactively targeted through intelligence-led operations such as Operation Anvil. Such operations are primarily undertaken by specialist units of An Garda Síochána, including the National Bureau...

Social Welfare Fraud. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Some €4 million was saved by the CAB but €476 million generally in fraudulent payments was saved.

Social Welfare Fraud. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: From the point of view of the CAB, there are 103 criminal asset profilers in total, which are based in every Garda division in the country and operate at a local level, dealing with social welfare queries. As the Deputy knows, social welfare officials are also seconded to the CAB. Multi-agency checkpoints also operate in localities. When I was Minister for Social, Community and Family...

Social Welfare Fraud. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: That is a question not for me but for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Mary Hanafin.

Social Welfare Fraud. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I do not have those figures. The Deputy will have to table a question. It depends on what one defines as a criminal because many people come before the courts on a daily basis who are in receipt of social welfare and who could potentially be criminals. Is the Deputy suggesting such peoples' social welfare payments should be taken away? Social welfare is a very basic payment.

Social Welfare Fraud. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: To get the Deputy's point-----

Social Welfare Fraud. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy indicates that there are individuals who have great wealth, yet are potentially claiming social welfare. To the best of my information, anyone who portrays a lifestyle far above his or her social welfare entitlements is immediately targeted by gardaí and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Anti-Social Behaviour. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I attach a high level of importance to the achievement of the maximum levels of safety for local communities, in particular through the tackling of problems resulting from the misuse of alcohol. This is reiterated in the renewed programme for Government which contains a specific commitment that we will continue to target Garda actions within communities experiencing significant anti-social...

Anti-Social Behaviour. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Up to 31 October 2009, 1,404 behaviour warnings were issued to adults and 1,060 to children. In addition, 13 formal good behaviour contracts were agreed in respect of children. There were three civil orders in respect of adults and three behaviour orders in respect of children issued by the court. It is an incremental approach.

Anti-Social Behaviour. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: There are 13 contracts, three civil orders and three behaviour orders.

Anti-Social Behaviour. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: It is an incremental approach. When the behavioural warnings are issued by the Garda, they tend to be successful and ultimately tend not to criminalise people and children in particular, who must come before the court if they are to get an ASBO. I agree with the Deputy in that the issue of public order or disorder is of grave concern to ordinary constituents. That is why the Garda has...

Anti-Social Behaviour. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I would have thought the fact there are so few orders granted from the 2,500 issued warnings is an indication that the legislation is working well.

Anti-Social Behaviour. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The people who got warnings have not now come to the notice of the Garda.

Anti-Social Behaviour. (10 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I would have thought the process is working well. Despite that, I have accepted that there is a perception among people, not least the Deputy, that the process is not working and I have asked my Department to have another look at it to see if we can make any changes. Ultimately, the success of the initiative is being measured by in effect criminalising young people in particular. If a...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (5 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The position is that both the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 and the Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009 are awaiting Committee Stage in the Seanad.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (5 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: In general EU citizens can exercise EU Treaty rights to reside and work freely in Ireland including an entitlement to become self-employed in the State. In accordance with the Government decision of December 2008, nationals of Bulgaria and Romania continue to require employment permits in order to take up employment in the State unless they otherwise have permission to participate in the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (5 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand. ^^ Residency Permits. ^^

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (5 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy was granted permission to remain in the State in 2006 under Section 24 of the Refugee Act, 1996. This permission to remain here is renewed on an annual basis by the Garda National Immigration Bureau and currently this person has permission to remain until 14th October...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (5 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Over the past number of years significant investments has been made in the Garda Síochána accommodation programme. This year alone new Garda Stations have opened in Ballymun, Leixlip, Irishtown, Finglas and Ballymote, Co. Sligo and it is expected that a new station at Buncrana, Co. Donegal will open in the near future. In addition, refurbishment works have commenced at a number of...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (5 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am advised by Garda management that they are satisfied that Gardaí have sufficient access to IT equipment such as PCs and printers to enable them to complete their daily administrative duties. I am further advised that a new Information and Communications Technology Strategy for the period 2010-2012 will be developed and will identify future technologies required to support the Garda...