Results 10,761-10,780 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Garda Vetting: Garda Vetting (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that an application for vetting in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers has been received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit and is in the course of being processed. A response will issue to the registered organisation in due course.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: I wish to inform the Deputy that, between 14 January 2011 and 25 January 2011 inclusive, I did not make any appointments to State Boards, agencies or other bodies within the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy will be aware that there has been a significant increase in the number of outlets offering to buy gold for cash in towns and cities in the State. I am aware that the trade gives rise to concerns reported in communities about crime that may be linked to the cash for gold trade. The informal purchase of jewellery is not specifically regulated in criminal legislation; however the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: I am informed by the Garda authorities, that as of the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána was 14,364. The National Recovery Plan 2011 - 2014 outlines a reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána to 13,000 by the end of 2014.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 7 April 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of...

Written Answers — Prisoner Complaints Procedures: Prisoner Complaints Procedures (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: I can advise the Deputy that the concerns of the family in relation to the person referred to have been brought to the attention of the Governor in St Patrick's Institution. I understand too that arrangements are in place there and indeed in all institutions for dealing with such matters. The Deputy may also wish to note that the Samaritans provide support to prisoners in St Patrick's...

Written Answers — Sale of Alcohol: Sale of Alcohol (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: Mr Padraic White, Chairperson of RRAI, submitted the second Compliance Report on the Code of Practice on the Display and Sale of Alcohol in Mixed Trading Premises in November last. Following initial examination of the Report, RRAI was requested by the then Minister to submit proposals for strengthening the Code's mechanisms for receiving and resolving complaints concerning infringements of...

Written Answers — Sale of Alcohol: Sale of Alcohol (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Sale of Alcohol: Sale of Alcohol (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: In October last, Mr Alex Attwood, MLA, Minister for Social Development in Northern Ireland, launched a public consultation on alcohol promotions. The consultation process concluded in December. Joint discussions on an all-island initiative to tackle price-based alcohol promotions are continuing. Contacts are taking place at official level to prepare for a meeting of the respective Ministers...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: 2057I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that residency applications on the basis of a de facto relationship in respect of Non EEA partners of Irish Citizens, or non-EEA nationals lawfully resident in the State, are considered under national immigration measures. The current average processing time is 6 - 8 weeks, although this may be longer where...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: 1The total amounts paid to staff in the Head Office areas of my Department in respect of mileage (kilometre) expenses was in the region of €86,000 in 2007, €94,000 in 2008, €52,000 in 2009 and €47,000 in 2010.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: 1Mr Barry Andrews, T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs, is the only Minister of State attached to my Department. However, as the Department of Health and Children is responsible for the staffing of his office, I understand that the Minister for Health and Children is providing the information requested.

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: 1At any given time, a number of staff of my Department are on maternity leave or other types of leave available under the various family friendly schemes. The general practice is that these vacancies are not filled for the duration of the leave period. The only exception to this is the Shorter Working Year Scheme, where my Department has continued to recruit temporary staff to fill critical...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: 1There are approximately 24,000 people employed by my Department and Agencies under its aegis. This includes some 14,400 members of An Garda Síochána; 3,400 Prison Officers; and 300 Probation Officers, most of whom could be described as "front-line". The remainder includes a range of staff, including administrative civil servants, many of whose roles involve a mixture of...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the licensing regime for the potting sub-segment. A 'Scheme for the Licensing of Traditional Pot Fishing Boats in the Irish Inshore Fleet' was introduced in 2003 with a closing date of 18 June 2003, following approval from the European Commission, in order to regularise the position of a substantial number of under 12 metre vessels engaged in...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority has advised my Department that the number of Sea Fishery Protection officers in the Authority at the start of each year that the SFPA has been in existence is as follows: 01//012007 42 01/01/2008 55 01/01/2009 73 01/01/2010 70 01/01/2011 69

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: I have no plans to sell off all or any part of Coillte. A Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Colm McCarthy, was established by the Minister for Finance in 2010 to examine and provide advice on the proper stewardship of state assets and on opportunities for the better use of those assets. Coillte Teoranta is being reviewed as part of this process and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment/ Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2010 declaring 19.78 hectares of forage land. A number of land parcels listed on the application required re-digitisation. Payments based on clear land parcels were made to the person named under the Single Payment Scheme on 27 October 2010, 12 November and 2 December 2010...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: Payment issued to the person named on 19th January, 2011.

Written Answers — Compensation Payments: Compensation Payments (25 Jan 2011)

Brendan Smith: There is no scheme operated by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to compensate farmers for losses incurred due to the recent adverse weather conditions.