Results 8,661-8,680 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Allowances: Departmental Allowances (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to semi-State bodies who have a significant element of commercial or trade activities within their remit. The bodies and agencies attached to my Department provide public services in the broad Justice and Equality areas and, as such, do not engage in any significant commercial activity. While my Department has no record of any individual being...

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Extradition proceedings in relation to the case raised by the Deputy are currently before the courts. As the Deputy will be aware, subject to the Constitution and the law, the courts are independent in the exercise of their functions. As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have no function in relation to the determination of the proceedings.

Written Answers — Private Security Services: Private Security Services (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of my Department. I have no role, therefore, in relation to decisions made or investigations carried out, by the Authority.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the details of my response to her Question No. 182 of 12 March 2009. While I have no immediate proposals for change in the law in this area, its operation continues to be reviewed in my Department.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: 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. Section 102 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as amended by section 18 of...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I have taken up the matter raised by the Deputy with the Minister for Foreign Affairs so that the issue can be discussed with the relevant authorities in Belfast. Any clarification received from the Minister for Foreign Affairs will be communicated directly to the Deputy. I understand that the alternative route for those travelling to Dublin from Donegal town is through Sligo town. The...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 6 January 2009. It was refused by the Visa Officer on 7 January 2009 for a number of reasons: 1.There was no clear link to the reference in Ireland shown; There was insufficient documentation submitted in support of the application; The evidence of finances was deemed insufficient and incomplete; The...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Fifteen staff have already decentralised to Roscrea with the Equality Authority. A further 8 staff will also decentralise to that location in the coming period. The decentralisation of a further small number of staff of the Equality Authority to Roscrea is to be reviewed in 2011.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 170 of Thursday 12 March 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: 2057The person concerned applied for asylum in the State on 15 June 2007. She gave birth to a child in the State in early 2008 and this child was subsequently included on her asylum application. Her asylum application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned applied for asylum on 28 January 1997. He made a second application under another name which he subsequently withdrew. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the then Asylum Division of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and, on appeal, by the then Asylum Appeals Authority. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of...

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Proceedings under the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 in relation to the case raised by the Deputy are currently before the courts. As the Deputy will be aware, subject to the Constitution and the law, the courts are independent in the exercise of their functions. As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have no function in relation to the determination of the proceedings.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 564 together. The policy of direct provision and dispersal is the means by which the State discharges its responsibilities under international agreements for the care of asylum seekers. The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with this Government policy. The...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) is charged with accommodating asylum seekers while their applications for asylum are processed. Currently, RIA has contracts in respect of 60 centres, including the Programme Refugee Orientation Centre in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. Seven of these centres are State owned and are managed by commercial entities under contract to RIA. The length of contracts...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the attested personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 January 2009, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,391, including 825 probationer Gardaí who are in Phase IV of training. In addition, the number of students in training as of the same date was as follows: Phase I — 211 Phase II — 565 Phase III — 269 As...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the costs associated with the training of student Gardaí until graduation cut across many different areas, including catering costs, salaries, allowances, training equipment etc. I am also informed that once a student Garda is attested at phase four of the training programme, after 58 weeks s/he goes onto the 1st point of the normal Garda pay...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí who left the Force in 2008 was as set out in the following table. Category 2008 Compulsory Retirement 16 Voluntary Retirements 243 Resignations 44 Medical Discharges 20 Deaths 12 Dismissals 2 Resignations in Lieu of Dismissals 2 TOTAL 339 There are six members of An Garda Síochána due to retire on compulsory age...

Written Answers — Garda Remuneration: Garda Remuneration (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. Table 1 — Gardaí in receipt of >20 hours overtime per roster period. 2008 — Roster Period Roster Date Number of Members who received >20 hours overtime 13/1/2008 4,715 10/2/2008 5,965 9/3/2008 5,797 6/4/2008 5,260 4/5/2008 5,101 1/6/2008 5,408 29/6/2008 5,545 27/7/2008 5,003 24/8/2008 3,519 21/9/2008...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: An internal review of the Garda Reserve was carried out in 2008 and certain proposals, relating to duties, training, communications, and representation, were submitted for consideration to the Commissioner and his senior management team. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that a number of proposals arising from the review have been implemented at this stage. The remaining...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (24 Mar 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 571 and 572 together. I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner. I will write to the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.