Results 10,161-10,180 of 18,755 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics are not compiled in such a way as to identify the number of provisional licence holders prosecuted and the number convicted for driving unaccompanied. The number of prosecutions and convictions for no driving licence in each of the years since 2000 to date is set out in the following table: Year Charges/Summonses Convictions** ...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not propose to change my plans for a new prison development including a bridge at Spike Island. I do, however, note the concerns raised in relation to heritage aspects which arise in the context of this development. I have been assured that such concerns can be met by sensitive architectural treatment and design. I will ensure that there will be full consultation with the relevant...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 255, inclusive, and 257 together. My Department's decentralisation programme runs from 2005 to 2009 and involves the transfer of over 900 posts from agencies and units under the aegis of my Department to seven locations around the country. To date, in respect of these 900 posts, 251 people have either transferred to the organisations concerned or have...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: Following the hand-over of the new Station at Carbury/Derrinturn by the Office of Public Works, some necessary works were identified that require attention before the station can be occupied. This matter is being attended to by the Office of Public Works and the contracting builder. When the works are completed the station can be occupied and be fully operational. No decision has been made on...

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: Where a prisoner is assessed as having a specific health related problem, steps are taken to provide assistance to address such problems while in prison. All prisoners have access to a range of therapeutic services, including psychiatric and psychology services. Referral to any particular service is on the basis of assessed need. While every effort is made within the resources available to...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) programme targets the most concentrated areas of disadvantage in the State by ensuring that priority attention is given to these areas by Government Departments and State Agencies dealing with disadvantage and local development in the widest sense. The RAPID programme designated 45 areas for priority investment and...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office on 25 April 2006. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question was approved on 22 May 2006.

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government Legislation Programme provides for publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill later this year. This Bill will repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004, as well as the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2004, and replace them with provisions more suited to modern conditions. The Bill will have regard to the reform recommendations of the Commission on Liquor Licensing and will update...

Written Answers — Disability Support Service: Disability Support Service (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The closing date for submitting applications under Phase II of the Enhancing Disability Services Project Funding for 2007-2008 is 14 July 2006. The appraisal of the project proposals will be undertaken by Pobal on behalf of my Department and it is expected that Pobal will make their recommendations to the Enhancing Disability Services Expert Group by November of this year. I hope to be in a...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the applications in question. I understand that, in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation by the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in August 2005. It has been assigned reference no. 68/3030/05. Officials in Citizenship Section are currently processing applications received in the first quarter of 2004 and, at the present time, there are just over 6,000 applications awaiting...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that penalty points are not awarded on the roadside. Where a person is issued with a fixed charge notice for a penalty point offence, the notice sets out the amount of the fixed charge and the penalty points applicable to the offence. The person has an option to pay the fixed charge and as part of the payment process completes a declaration that he/she...

Written Answers — Disability Support Service: Disability Support Service (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The situation of parents of children with disabilities was considered in the context of the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 conducted by a Working Group chaired by my Department. The Working Group, which comprised the social partners, relevant Government Departments and the Equality Authority, recommended raising the age of eligibility in respect of a child with a disability to 16 years...

Drug Abuse: Motion (Resumed). (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am grateful to Members for enabling me to address this motion this evening. As the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Noel Ahern, noted, the drug problem in Ireland and the way in which we respond to it are extremely important. Ireland is not unique. It is one of many western societies facing the drug problem. However, we are responsible...

Drug Abuse: Motion (Resumed). (24 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is the point. I agree with that, and I am adamant in that regard. I do not know what the percentage is and it is not easy to work out. However, I say to the Deputy that we cannot rest easy while drugs are in our prisons. I say with all my heart that it is not good enough to argue that if there are drugs outside there will be drugs inside. People in prison are there for the purpose of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: As regards any future measures regarding ground rents, the position is that a High Court challenge to the constitutionality of certain provisions of existing ground rents legislation was heard during 2005 and the Court's judgment was given earlier this year. I understand however that the period within which an appeal against that ruling can be taken has not expired and it would not be...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (23 May 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 as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737 (or 16.2%) in the personnel strength of the Force during...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (23 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that all valid documentation relating to the couple concerned has been returned to them.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (23 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no evidence that original birth certificates in respect of the persons in question were submitted with the application for permission to remain made under the revised arrangements for non-national parents of Irish children born before 1 January 2005. Original birth certificates for her spouse and another child were submitted and it is recorded that these documents were returned on 16...

Written Answers — Civil Partnerships: Civil Partnerships (23 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 to 394, inclusive, together. Married people owe each other many judicially enforceable duties such as a duty on maintenance, a special duty in respect of any home used by them and many other duties. Married status also involves other legal issues such as judicial competence over capital assets, divorce, competence as a witness, subjection to family law and...