Results 11,441-11,460 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength — all ranks — of each Garda district in the Roscommon-Galway east division and the Sligo-Leitrim division, as at 31 December 1997 and 28 February 2006, was as set out in the following tables. Roscommon-Galway east division. ...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (8 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Where vacancies and absences arise on foot of maternity leave, the Assistant Commissioner — human resource management — in consultation with divisional officers, arranges for the allocation of Garda personnel throughout the State. The Assistant Commissioner is assisted in this regard by a model known as the Garda establishment redistribution model, GERM, which is a scientific, rational...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 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 post of community policing sergeant at Mountjoy Garda station became vacant on 1 November, 2005. I have been further informed that local Garda management are in the process of advertising the position and once a suitable candidate has been identified, he...

Written Answers — Disability Act 2005: Disability Act 2005 (8 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The National Disability Authority has prepared a code of practice, at my request, in regard to section 26, on accessibility to services provided by public bodies, section 27, on accessibility of services supplied to public bodies, and section 28, on access to information through communication formats. I have arranged with the Attorney General for formal drafting of an order for my signature...

Written Answers — Travel Documents: Travel Documents (8 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question has not made an application for a replacement travel document to my Department. However, her original travel document was recently returned to the immigration division of my Department by the Irish embassy in Addis Ababa for investigation in regard to possible misuse of this travel document. An investigation into the circumstances of the suspected misuse of this...

Written Answers — Garda Retirements: Garda Retirements (8 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The position on Garda retirements is that members of the force who joined before April 2004 can retire on full pension after 30 years service, provided they are aged 50 or over. Members at the rank of Garda, sergeant and inspector must retire by the age of 57, while members at superintendent rank and higher can remain in the force up to the age of 60. Members who joined after April 2004,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (8 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are 528 Somalian nationals recorded on the register of non-nationals who have permission to be in the State, maintained by the Garda Síochána in accordance with the provisions of section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004. I refer the Deputy to my replies to Question Nos. 187 to 189, inclusive, today which deal with Somalians in the asylum process.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (8 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 to 189, inclusive, together. Applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. As at 28 February 2006,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (8 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 8 September 2003 and applied for asylum. She arrived with her daughter and her nephew. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The visa section in my Department is committed to providing a high quality service to all our customers and is making every effort to process all visa applications in as timely a manner as possible. Visa processing times have reduced considerably in the past year and once the application is received in the visa section it currently takes less than two weeks to process. A dedicated study team...

Written Answers — Secret Service: Secret Service (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 442 together. The Garda Síochána is the organisation responsible for providing national security services for the State. In this context, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána has established contacts, both multilateral and bilateral, with security services worldwide, touching on areas of mutual responsibility and interest....

Written Answers — Traffic Fines: Traffic Fines (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Information on the amount of money accruing on foot of payments from fixed charge notices and court fines in connection with which penalty points were imposed is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources. All moneys received are surrendered to the Exchequer as extra Exchequer receipts and are accounted for in...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Manor Kilbride is included in the Baltinglass Garda district which forms part of the Carlow Kildare division. Current policing policy in the district of Baltinglass is predicated on the prevention of public order offences; the prevention of crime, particularly crimes of violence against persons and property; and the maintenance of an environment...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that since the commencement of the N7 Naas Road widening scheme in November 2004 there have been a total of 124 accidents reported on the N7, encompassing the road widening scheme. This figure includes one fatal accident which occurred on 29 January 2006. The area receives ongoing Garda attention in the context of road traffic law enforcement and traffic...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question was granted permission to engage in business in the State for an initial period of 12 months on 17 November 1999 as a self employed sculptor-artist. It appears that he renewed his registration with the Garda National Immigration Bureau until 16 November 2003 but did not attend for a further renewal of his residency in the State until 28 November 2005. At that time the...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of 21 extra gardaí will be appointed to the Donegal division in the next six weeks. Inishowen Peninsula forms part of the Buncrana Garda district. I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Buncrana Garda district as at 28 February 2006 was 78, all ranks. The first...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 452, inclusive, together. The national missing persons helpline was established in October 2002. Initial funding of €65,000,to include set-up costs, was provided by my Department to establish a dedicated national missing persons helpline, to be operated and administered by Victim Support. Further funding of €45,000 was provided to the helpline in...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The implementation of the penalty points system is progressing satisfactorily. The fixed charge processing system, FCPS, was rolled out nationwide with effect from 2 February 2006 having been operating effectively in the DMR, parts of Louth and Meath and Cork city since January 2005. From 3 April the FCPS will handle an expanded range of fixed charge offences which attract penalty points, and...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The reception and integration agency, RIA, is in the process of closing accommodation centres nationwide due to excess capacity arising from the sharp decline in the numbers requiring accommodation. This decline is primarily as a result of an outflow of asylum seekers granted leave to remain under the Irish-born child scheme. The agency is also in the process of reclassifying centres to take...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department is fully committed to the employment of people with disabilities where possible. Our policy is to ensure that people with disabilities are facilitated with access to employment opportunities and every necessary accommodation is made in this regard. To help achieve this, my Department has a disability liaison officer whose role is to act as a point of contact both within and...