Results 581-600 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is the case that numbers have risen exponentially during the past number of years. This is as a result of there being more Garda and Garda activity on the streets. Garda numbers have increased from 11,500 to 14,600.

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Perhaps Deputy Rabbitte is dense. The fact that there are more Garda on the streets means there is more Garda, court and judicial activity. The increase in the number of cases before the District Court is as a result of increased activity and investment.

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Given this, many more people are being convicted. It is the case that-----

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----as much as possible in regard to young people is being done. There are 100 juvenile diversion projects in place around the country to try to divert young people away from crime.

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Ultimately, if a young person commits a crime he or she will be sent to prison. Plans are progressing on the provision of a new detention centre for those under 18 at Oberstown. How many prisoners who should currently feature in jail as part of the figures the Minister has given Deputy O'Keeffe are absconding? There were 401 absconding prisoners as of September as far as I can recollect....

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: At any time, there are a number of people who have absconded for whatever reason. For example, people who are due to report to a Garda station are regarded as having breached the warrant issued if they fail to do so and every effort is made by the Garda to apprehend them. That has always been the case, no matter who has been in office.

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I do not have the figures. The Deputy did not ask that question.

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have forgotten the other issue because of the interruptions.

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We have passed an innovative Fines Act which will commence------

Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should get real.

Missing Persons (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: An Garda Síochána is responsible for the investigation of persons, including of course children, reported missing in circumstances which give rise to concern. The Garda emergency numbers, 112 and 999, are available for this purpose. In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government 2007, I asked the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to examine current Garda practice with regard to...

Missing Persons (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I welcome the inspectorate's recommendation on the amber alert and I gave the go-ahead for the establishment of an alert system.

Missing Persons (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda is currently exploring options to achieve the most appropriate structure to give effect to the recommendation taking account of progress at international level in the development of alert systems for missing children that will explore cross-jurisdictional dimensions. With regard to the issue of the European number, ComReg has allocated that number and it has invited-----

Missing Persons (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Perhaps it is safer to say that ComReg has not been able to allocate it and this matter will be kept under review by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and ComReg.

Missing Persons (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda that between 2001 and 1 November 2010, the number recorded of missing persons who are under 18 years was 352.

Missing Persons (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A number of them were found in the meantime. With regard to the issue of missing children, there is a joint Garda-HSE protocol on the roles and responsibilities of both agencies in regard to children missing from care. It was agreed in April 2009 and it relates to the establishment of a Garda local liaison role with HSE placements and this is working extremely well. The role includes a...

Missing Persons (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Yes, there is a local liaison role, which is that of a designated officer. The HSE has commenced a process to change its model of care for separated minors such that they can avail of foster care and residential arrangements across a broader spectrum than previously available. A protocol which provides for a review of its implementation is currently ongoing between the Garda and the HSE.

Criminal Legal Aid (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am glad to be able to inform the Deputy that my proposals are to include in the criminal justice (legal aid) Bill, referred to in the Government legislation programme, provisions to enable the transfer from my Department to the Legal Aid Board of responsibility for the administration and management of criminal legal aid. Drafting of the Bill is in the course of being finalised with a view...

Criminal Legal Aid (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We will not know until the Bill is implemented but criminal legal aid has risen exponentially over the past number of years. It is a demand-led scheme and the Bill will put in place checks and balances relating to the granting of it under the Constitution. There is case law relating to it showing clearly that if a person coming before the courts does not have proper means, he or she will be...

Criminal Legal Aid (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As Minister I am very conscious of the need to ensure that savings are made in this budget, which as I stated has increased exponentially despite the fact that the level of fees paid has reduced over the past two years by 8% and by a further 8%. The bill continues to rise. This comes back to the earlier point that there is more activity in the courts. Under the Constitution it is the case...