Results 11,741-11,760 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (21 Feb 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 of each Garda divisional drug unit as of February, 2006 was as set out in the following table. Division Insp. Sgt. Gardaí Total DMR South Central - 3 15 18 DMR South - 3 20 23 DMR North - 3 19 22 DMR North...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (21 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Prison Service publication entitled, The Prison Adult Literacy Survey — Results and Implications, was published in September 2003. The major results of the survey showed that a significant number of prisoners had virtually no literacy skills — 52% of them were at level one or pre-level one literacy levels. In other words, more than twice as many prisoners are at the lowest level...

Written Answers — Taxi Licences: Taxi Licences (21 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and is being researched. I will be in touch with the Deputy when the information comes to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (21 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 to 582, inclusive, together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Enniscorthy, Wexford, New Ross and Gorey Garda stations as at 17 February 2006 was as set out in the following table: Station Strength Enniscorthy 32 Wexford...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (21 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: In my previous responses on this issue on 27 April 2005 and 16 June 2005, I set out in some detail the background to the change in Land Registry practice referred to. The Deputy should note that Office Notice 15/04 is simply the means by which the changes in practice referred to were communicated to Land Registry staff. I understand that Rule 57 was considered in respect of the drafting of...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (21 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the information requested. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (21 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Funding of €110,000 in respect of a national missing persons helpline made available by my Department in 2002 and 2003 was channelled through the Victim Support organisation, and was in addition to the ongoing funding that organisation received for the provision of services for victims of crime. This funding was provided subject to a number of conditions, including that audited accounts...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (21 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that no rooms in Wexford Garda station were equipped with audio-video equipment on 10 October 2002. As I indicated in reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 532 of 8 November 2005 and 474 of 22 November 2005, the equipment was installed in Wexford town Garda station on 16 October 2002. I am aware that the Deputy has raised this question on a number of...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (21 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The increase in the fee for the Small Claims Court was introduced in conjunction with a substantial increase in the jurisdiction of the court from €1,269.74 to €2,000. The fee is still a modest one and generally falls far short of meeting the court's costs.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: When a person is granted refugee status they are given comprehensive information on their rights and entitlements in the State, including information on family reunification. In addition, my Department's website, www.justice.ie, also contains a detailed information leaflet on family reunification.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is actively patrolled by uniformed and plain-clothes gardaí from Raheny Garda station. I understand from the Garda authorities that three incidents of theft from vehicles have occurred at the location referred to since 1 January 2006, and these are under active investigation. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The purpose of the speed camera initiative is to enhance overall road safety and help reduce the numbers of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. The performance criteria to be applied will be determined by the Garda Síochána, and the deployment of cameras will be focused on locations where there is an established or prospective risk of collisions. The Garda Síochána, as the traffic...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The appeal in question was received as part of a representation made by the Deputy. Therefore, it did not come through the normal route through which appeal papers are provided to the visa unit of my Department. Appeal papers and accompanying documentation provided through the normal route are immediately recorded and given to the visa appeals officer for consideration. I can inform the...

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Prison Service, IPS, currently purchases medical goods, including medical gloves, on the basis of the individual requirements of practising medical professionals within the service. However, the IPS also utilises a national contract put in place by the Government Supplies Agency, following a national tendering competition, to purchase some types of medical gloves. The IPS is...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Questions Nos. 459 and 469 on Tuesday, 7 February 2006, in which I outlined the position. The enforcement of the deportation order is now an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains provisions under Part 2 of the Act relating to the release from prison of persons convicted of a sexual offence listed in the Schedule to the Act. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the governor of the prison or the person in charge at the time, must advise the Garda Síochána of the impending release of such offenders. In addition, the governor...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement.

Written Answers — Mountjoy Prison Site: Mountjoy Prison Site (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Office of Public Works is currently assembling the expertise required to produce proposals for the future use of the Mountjoy site. Following a consultation process with the planning authority and all interested parties, it is intended that the OPW will be in a position to make a planning application for the site in the latter half of this year. I do not propose to transfer any part of...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, I made a number of changes in September 2005 to the rules governing entry to the Garda Síochána, including removing the requirement to hold a qualification in both Irish and English in the leaving certificate or equivalent, in favour of a requirement to hold a qualification in two languages, at least one of which must be Irish or English. Irish society is...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that at present there is no specific legislation governing family reunification for migrants who are not refugees. There is a set of administrative procedures in place for non-refugees. There has been a recent review of the provisions regarding family reunification for migrant workers and the current arrangements for the processing of such applications are set out as...