Results 5,921-5,940 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (22 Oct 2008)
John Curran: There are 14 Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFS) and 10 Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) covering all parts of the country. The locations of the Task Forces and expenditure â current and capital â from my Department to each of them for the last five years are set out below in Appendix 1. With regard to the work of the Task Forces, the Deputy should note the following. Over 440 LDTF...
- Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (22 Oct 2008)
John Curran: Details of the funding provided each year since 2002 â when responsibility for the Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund transferred to this Department â are set out in the table. The figures include funding provided for projects mainstreamed in 2004 and 2006 to the Departments of Education & Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In relation to the Fund, the Deputy should note...
- Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (15 Oct 2008)
John Curran: Funding was awarded to the group in question under the 2005 cycle of the Programme of Support for Local Community and Voluntary Groups. The Programme provides support to groups to undertake refurbishment works, to engage in a broad range of training activities and to equip community facilities in support of the local delivery of services. This cycle of grants was closed over two years ago....
- Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)
John Curran: The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has always been focused on helping disadvantaged people by supporting communities throughout the country. This disadvantage, whether in urban or rural areas, can come in a range of forms from social exclusion to communities damaged by drugs problems. I remain committed to the local development social inclusion programme and the...
- Seanad: Volunteering in Irish Society: Statements (14 Oct 2008)
John Curran: I thank the Senators for the opportunity to present some views and hear the opinions put forward. Senator Quinn said we have a long and proud tradition of volunteering in Ireland, and every speaker reflected that point of view. Shortly before I was promoted in May of this year, I was with the Committee of Public Accounts in Zambia in South Africa. We did the official part, and in our free...
- Seanad: Volunteering in Irish Society: Statements (14 Oct 2008)
John Curran: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. This is an important and interesting topic for budget day, and I have prepared a few notes accordingly. It is important that we acknowledge the real role that volunteering has played in our society for a very long time. I am pleased to be able to address the Seanad on the important role of volunteering in Irish society. I shall use this as an...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (8 Oct 2008)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 289 together. I recently approved funding of approximately â¬2.3m to support the capital development of 16 projects in Regional Drugs Task Force (RDTF) areas under the Regional Youth Initiative. The project in question was one of those approved in the amount of â¬437,000. As part of the conditions of approval, payment or part-payment of the funding...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: I have not met with the Department of Health and Children to specifically discuss the reports of methadone being implicated in the deaths of drug users. However, I chair the Inter-Departmental Group on Drugs (IDG), which meets quarterly and on which both the Department of Health & Children and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are represented. All matters relevant to the implementation of...
- Written Answers — Voluntary Sector: Voluntary Sector (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: My Department is committed to the ongoing development of supports to strengthen and underpin the work of the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. Indeed, the growth of the sector in recent years has been accompanied by a significant expansion of supports by Government. My Department alone provides funding in excess of â¬400m annually to the groups and measures across the sector....
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: Under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, which targets 10-21 year olds at risk of drug misuse, a broad range of activities and initiatives are being supported. As the Deputy is aware, the Fund has a strong prevention focus and its aim is to attract young people in disadvantaged areas into facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance misuse. Of...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: As the Deputy outlines, I recently announced funding of almost â¬2m for nearly 30 projects aimed at addressing cocaine use and supporting rehabilitation. This follows a call for proposals earlier this year to Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces. Tackling cocaine use and implementing the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation remain priorities for...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: While I am aware of the recent seizure of crystal methamphetamine, historically in Ireland, there have been low levels of seizures in relation to that substance. Indeed, despite its popularity in some central and eastern European countries, across the EU generally, the drug has never taken off in terms of demand. Notwithstanding this, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) -through...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: The Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation, published in May 2007, made a series of recommendations for the development of a comprehensive rehabilitation pillar under the National Drugs Strategy. As agreed by the Working Group, the HSE has the lead role in this area. With regard to the appointment of the Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator, I understand that following recent...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: Consistent with the Taoiseach's announcement in May this year, my Department is currently progressing an Order to transfer the functions and duties relating to the Young Peoples Facilities & Services Fund (YPFSF) to the Office of the Minister for Youth Affairs and Children. While I anticipate that the Order will be made quite shortly, it is likely that the formal transfer will take effect in...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 333 and 335 together. As the Deputies will be 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. Projects are submitted through Drugs Task Forces to the National Drugs Strategy Team who make recommendations to myself, as Minister with...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: Initiatives to tackle substance misuse in the south east are co-ordinated by the South Eastern Regional Drugs Task Force (SERDTF) which covers the counties of Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South and Waterford. The SERDTF co-ordinates a number of activities covering the areas of treatment, rehabilitation, education, prevention and research and, to date, approximately â¬4m has been...
- Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: The Community Support for Older People Scheme is managed by my Department and is administered locally by community and voluntary groups. The Scheme provides grants to support the installation of socially monitored personal alarms, smoke alarms, external lighting and essential items of physical security such as window and door locks and door chains. Interior emergency lighting is funded for...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: As the Deputy may be aware, there are 14 Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) areas â 12 are located in Dublin, one in Cork City and one in Bray, Co. Wicklow. There are almost 400 people employed â both full and part-time â in a wide range of projects across the 14 LDTFs. These workers include addiction counsellors, outreach workers, project managers and co-ordinators, family support workers,...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: Research by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) has showed that illegal drug use is a youth phenomenon in particular. It is important, therefore, to understand that many factors come into play when people decide to experiment with drugs. The risk factors associated with problematic drug use have been researched by the NACD and include the following: Early school leaving/poor...
- Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (7 Oct 2008)
John Curran: The Community Support for Older People Scheme is managed by my Department and is administered locally by community and voluntary groups. The Scheme provides grants to support the installation of socially monitored personal alarms, smoke alarms, external lighting and essential items of physical security such as window and door locks and door chains. Interior emergency lighting is funded for...