Results 8,081-8,100 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda station in Monasterevin was closed due to fire damage on 13th September, 2006. The Office of Public Works have been requested to ascertain the remedial works required to re-open the station. When the proposals are received from the Board and examined by the Garda Authorities, a decision can be taken on how best to proceed, including...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Services: Garda Vetting Services (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006 were made by the Minister for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan, T.D., on 29 September, 2006. These Regulations will come into operation on 2 January, 2007. Sections 8(2)(c) and 8(2)(d) of the Regulations provide that (i) a person carrying on a pre-school service shall ensure appropriate vetting of all staff, students and volunteers who have...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a Garda report in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of...

Written Answers — Domestic Partnerships: Domestic Partnerships (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no specific budget allocated to the Working Group on Domestic Partnership. Costs arising from the work of the Group are met from the existing vote of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I understand that the Working Group is finalising the Options Paper on Domestic Partnership for submission to me in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Weapons Amnesty: Weapons Amnesty (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of €331,608.26 (inclusive of VAT) was spent on advertising and promoting the Weapons Amnesty.

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Figures indicate that on 31 October, 2006 there were 52 persons in custody in St. Patrick's Institution who are aged between 16 and 18 years. This figure is made up of eighteen 16 year olds and thirty four 17 year olds.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are plans to provide a new Area Headquarters Station at Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. To this end the Office of Public Works recently advertised in the local and national press for suitable sites. I understand that OPW are currently assessing the responses and their recommendations will be considered by the Garda Authorities and my...

Written Answers — Detention Centres: Detention Centres (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Amendments to the Children Act 2001 included in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 extend the children detention school model to all offenders under the age of 18 and transfer responsibility for the detention of young people to the remit of my Department from that of my colleague the Minister for Education and Science. This role in my Department is managed by a new executive office, the Irish...

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a Garda report in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of 35 persons expressed an interest in providing accommodation for asylum seekers in response to the advertisement of 10 July 2006. One of these expressions of interest was not received by the closing date of 11 August 2006 and this expression of interest was rejected as being out of time. No other contractual arrangements, apart from those applying to the property in Clondalkin,...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (26 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 66 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the manner in which statistics were collated prior to 2004 does not allow the number of seizures to be identified, however over 63,000 fireworks were seized between 2000 and 2003. The following table shows the number of seizures and approximate value of fireworks seized between 2004 and to date in...

Written Answers — Fireworks Regulation: Fireworks Regulation (26 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that on 1st August, 2006, I signed an order bringing all sections relating to fireworks in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 into immediate effect. The Criminal Justice Act 2006 provides for new offences, governing the illegal possession and use of fireworks, and increased penalties. Under these new provisions it is an offence: to possess a firework with intent to...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (26 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have always been an advocate of a properly transparent and accountable Garda Síochána. For that reason I introduced the Garda Síochána Bill, which was enacted as the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, to increase, among other things, the Force's transparency and accountability. In addition to establishing such bodies as the Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Act...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (26 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a permanent residence card as the non-EU family member of an EU citizen has been received in respect of the person concerned. It is expected that a decision on the application will be made within the next few weeks.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (26 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that between 2000 and 2006 there have been 13 proceedings commenced, with no convictions recorded, for offences under the Explosives Act, 1875 relating to fireworks. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that from 2000 to date in 2006 there have been 8 proceedings commenced, with no...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (26 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed that the Commissioners of Public Works, acting on behalf of the Reception and Integration Agency, purchased the following properties for the purpose of accommodating asylum seekers. Property Park Lodge, Killarney Atlas House, Tralee Atlas House, Killarney Cork Airport Hotel, Kinsale Road Johnson Marina Hotel, Tralee Parnell West Hotel, Dublin 1 — Sold Aug 06 Broc House, Dublin...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (26 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the detail sought and is currently being compiled by the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (26 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for residency in the State on the basis of marriage to an Irish national was received from the person in question in December 2005. An acknowledgement of receipt of the application was issued to the person concerned on 4 January, 2006. Applications of this kind, in fairness to all other such applicants, are dealt with in strict chronological order and currently take...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (26 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...