Results 8,501-8,520 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his previous Parliamentary Question in this matter, No. 553 of Tuesday 1 July 2008. Applications for Leave to Remain in the State are founded on the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended). Under these provisions, persons who have no legal basis for being in the State are afforded, among other options, the option to submit,...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: There are currently 16,847 applications for certificates of naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department that are still awaiting a decision. The Immigration Division of my Department inform me that there are approximately 8,000 applications for long-term residency currently awaiting a decision.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (2 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will be aware that tax relief was provided in the Finance (No 2) Act 2008 where an employer provides a bicycle for an employee. The implementation of the scheme for the Civil Scheme is being dealt with by the Department of Finance and this has given rise to a number of issues, particularly in relation to procurement, warranty and insurance. I understand that my colleague, the...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The position is that section 16 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 provides for the making of regulations to prohibit or restrict the advertising, promotion, sale or supply of alcohol products at a reduced price or free of charge on the purchase of any quantity of alcohol or of any other product or service. 'Reduced price' in this context includes the direct and indirect use of bonus...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question was granted Refugee status in July 2008 and made a Family Reunification application in respect of his wife and daughter in October 2008. This application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is...

Written Answers — Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal: Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will be aware that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal operates two schemes, the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted (The General Scheme) and the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted on Prison Officers. As regards the General Scheme, the position is that there are sufficient funds remaining at the present time for...

Written Answers — Housing Management Companies: Housing Management Companies (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Legislation to address the Law Reform Commission's recommendations on multi-unit developments is in the course of being drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel as a matter of priority. The aim is to publish the Bill in the next Session. The principal focus of the new Bill will be on ensuring good governance of property management companies and similar bodies which comprise the owners of units...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 123 and 127 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Commissioner has established a Garda Accommodation Programme Board, under the chairmanship of the Chief Administrative Officer, to prepare a long-term accommodation strategy for the organisation. This strategy will address a number of areas including the identification of future...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there are 37 members and 4 patrol cars attached to Greystones Garda Station. Resource levels are monitored on an ongoing basis by local and senior Garda Management in each District and Division, in conjunction with crime trends and other demands made on An Garda Síochána. The situation will be kept under review and the needs of the station...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January, 2007. Part 13 of the Act relating to anti-social behaviour by children was commenced on 1 March, 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social behaviour by adults and children. I am informed by the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 703 Garda Stations throughout the country. These stations range from large Regional and Divisional Headquarter facilities with large staff levels delivering multiple policing functions down to "basic units" which typically accommodate one or two Gardaí and perform public facing functions with limited opening hours.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incidents which took place on St Patrick's Day in Tipperary Town and other incidents coming to the attention of local Garda management in the course of this investigation are being thoroughly investigated. A number of persons have been arrested and charged. I am further informed that it is not Garda policy or practice to publish reports on...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. The...

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (31 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: There are currently two Garda Town Centre CCTV systems located in Dundalk and Drogheda. These systems are managed by An Garda Síochána and are monitored on a 24 hour basis. In addition, there is a Community based CCTV scheme operational in Drogheda consisting of six cameras and plans are well advanced by Drogheda Borough Council to further expand this scheme. Also, a proposed Community...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (31 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 271 of Tuesday 10 March 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply. The Deputy might wish to note that the outstanding leave to remain application of the person concerned is among a large number of such applications my Department currently has on hands....

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (31 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The matter is under consideration by my Department in the context of the proposed Legal Costs Bill.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (31 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that there has been a significant increase in the provision of prison spaces in the last 10 to 12 years. In that period close to 1,400 new prison spaces have been provided representing a significant investment in modern prison accommodation. In addition, an additional 400 extra spaces will be provided at Castlerea, Wheatfield and Portlaoise in the coming months....

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (31 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Written Answers — Refugee Appeals Tribunal: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (31 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 232 on 3 March 2009. At the time of my reply, the matter of the application of the Government decision relating to professional fees to the schedule of fees payable to Presenting Panel members was under examination. I can now confirm that the schedule of fees applicable to the Panel has been reduced in line with the Government Decision.