Results 11,041-11,060 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Property Sales: Property Sales (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: In July 2004, I commissioned the auctioneering and estate agency review group to examine the licensing and regulatory requirements for property practitioners. I initiated the review against a background of a considerable level of public concern about specific selling practices in the property industry, apparent deficiencies in regulatory and supervisory arrangements in respect of service...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda PULSE system is able to process such summonses adequately.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Revised arrangements for the processing of applications for permission to remain in the State from non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005 were announced by me on 15 January 2005. One of the specific conditions of the scheme was that persons granted residency on its basis had no entitlement to be joined in the State by other family members. The statutory...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Mar 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 the Garda Síochána as at 31 December 1997 and 20 March 2006 was 10,702 and 12,445, respectively. This represents an increase of 1,743, or 16.3%, in the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána during that period. The...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the detail sought and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are no proposals to reopen the Curragh Prison. No staff are assigned there for maintenance or other purposes and no money has been spent on maintenance in the current year. The future of the facility will be the subject of discussions between the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Defence.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am on record as acknowledging that certain Garda accommodation is not up to standard. However, considerable investment is being made, in terms of money, time and effort, to improve the working conditions for all gardaí in stations across the country. The prioritisation of works is dependent on a large number of factors which means priorities are constantly reviewed and updated as...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: At present it is my intention to attend the 90th anniversary military parade and the State reception following same at Dublin Castle on Sunday, 16 April 2006.

Written Answers — Parental Leave: Parental Leave (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: A review of the maternity protection legislation was carried out in 2000 by a working group, chaired by my Department, which comprised the social partners and relevant Departments and agencies. A review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 was conducted by a working group chaired by my Department. This working group was also comprised the social partners, relevant Departments and the Equality...

Written Answers — Youth Projects: Youth Projects (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The project referred to by the Deputy closed on 31 May 2005, following the withdrawal of service by the employing agency, which informed the Garda Síochána by letter dated 25 April 2005 of their intention to withdraw from the project. Local gardaí ensured that all property purchased by the project with public funding was accounted for and stored for future use. Following the closure of the...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I believe the applicant referred to by the Deputy is resident in Moscow. My Department has established a dedicated visa office in Moscow and when the application is received it will be examined in line with the usual criteria for such an application.

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not propose to expand on what I have previously said on the matter of costs. The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Finance has just completed the first stage of an EU restricted tender procedure and will shortly issue full tender documents to the shortlisted bidders. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on costs at this juncture as I do not want to set expectations for...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 389 together. The procurement of a managed digital radio service is well advanced by the CMOD division of the Department of Finance, which is undertaking the procurement on behalf of the Garda Síochána and other blue light and State agencies. It is proposed to roll out the new Garda digital radio system this year. As is appropriate in any major...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table provides the total number of headline offences, by group, recorded and detected in the Garda division of Roscommon-Galway East for the years 2000 to 2005, inclusive, and up to 28 February 2006. I am pleased to note that the statistics show a decrease of 5.5% in recorded crime when comparing 2004 with 2005, and a decrease of 19.4%...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: For policing purposes the country is divided into six regions, each of which is commanded by a regional assistant commissioner. The duties of the regional assistant commissioners are mainly operational and they are responsible for ensuring the operational efficiency of their respective region and, in particular, the quality of operational management exercised by their respective divisional...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Mar 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 the Garda Síochána as at 31 December 1997 and 20 March 2006 was 10,702 and 12,445, respectively. This represents an increase of 1,743, or 16.3%, in the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána during that period. I...

Written Answers — Garda Band: Garda Band (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of the Garda Band are appointed in accordance with the provisions of regulation 14 of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988 which provide that: Where the Commissioner is satisfied that a person has special aptitudes, knowledge, skills or technical qualifications which justify his appointment and enrolment under...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The cost of research into public attitudes on crime and law enforcement, conducted by TNS MRBI on behalf of my Department, was €17,175.95, including VAT.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible, within the timeframe available, to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — State Vehicles: State Vehicles (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Ministerial State cars are placed at the disposal of Ministers and others pursuant to a long-standing arrangement and are supplied to the following: Taoiseach, Tánaiste, 13 Ministers, President, Chief Whip, Ceann Comhairle, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief Justice, former Taoisigh and Presidents. There are no set rules as to when ministerial cars are replaced but, in...