Results 12,861-12,880 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda recruits do not pay for their uniform. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that student gardaí are informed prior to commencement of training that they are required to purchase items of clothing, footwear and bedding for their own personal use. They are also informed that these items may be purchased at the Garda college at...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The recent recruitment competition which was advertised by the Public Appointments Service in September and October 2005 followed new regulations which I made in September 2005 with the approval of Government to alter the rules governing entry to the Garda Síochána. These changes included clarification on nationality and residence requirements and removed the requirement to hold a...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Question No. 61 on Thursday 20 October 2005. A total of 413 unaccompanied minors, who have now reached the age of 18 years, have been refused refugee status since 1 January 1999. A total of 211 of these have been decided to date under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, resulting in 108 deportation orders, 72 grants of conditional...

Written Answers — Rehabilitation of Offenders: Rehabilitation of Offenders (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In general, there is no provision in Irish law allowing for the expunging of criminal convictions from the Garda criminal records. However, with the introduction of the Children Act 2001, provision was made for a limited "wiping of the slate" in respect of most offences committed by persons under 18 once certain conditions have been met. The provision in the Children Act, which came into...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Nov 2005)

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 the Carlow-Kildare division as at 21 November 2005 was 331 across all ranks. The personnel strength of the Garda station at Kill, County Kildare as at 22 November 2005 was three across all ranks. The local Garda management is...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together. The Garda authorities inform me that there has been a decrease in the recorded instances of burglary and car theft from 831 in 2000 to 822 in 2004 in the Naas Garda district, which includes Kill. I am further informed that the personnel strength of Kill Garda station as at 22 November 2005 was three across all ranks. Kill Garda station is...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the position of the application in question.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Nov 2005)

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 the Kerry division as at 22 November 2005 was 266 across all ranks. I have been further informed that the personnel strength of Tralee Garda station as at 22 November 2005 was 87 across all ranks. Garda management will continue to...

Written Answers — Ground Rents Abolition: Ground Rents Abolition (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: As regards the abolition of ground rents, a High Court challenge to the constitutionality of certain provisions of the existing ground rents legislation has been heard and judgment is awaited. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate to proceed with proposals for further legislation in this area until the outcome of this case is known. As regards expired leases on dwelling houses,...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: A working group chaired by my Department and representing the Department of Transport, the Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies, carried out an in-depth examination into the engagement of private sector interests in the provision and operation of speed cameras. On the basis of the group's report, my colleague the Minister for Transport and I presented proposals to Government in July...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Government has approved in principle the development of a new prison complex on the Thornton site on a value for money PPP basis. The Prison Service is currently preparing a detailed assessment of the project in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines for the provision of capital projects through public private partnerships which will result in a detailed business case being...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Preliminary estimates of the cost of providing various services to the Thornton Hall site were prepared as part of the site evaluation process which was carried out by engineering consultants prior to the decision to purchase the site. The report estimated the cost of providing various services, such as mains water, foul sewer, and power including gas and electricity to the site at...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the director general of the Prison Service that the existing access road serving Thornton Hall has been assessed as adequate by the consulting engineers who evaluated the site when it was offered to the Prison Service. The consultants, however, recommended some improvements and upgradings to the road which will be pursued following consultations with the appropriate...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The size of the site purchased will provide for and enable the development to be carried out in a manner which is consistent with best practice. It will also facilitate the provision of an integrated prison complex with ample recreational and therapeutic facilities. In addition, in line with a recent Government decision a site will be made available for the replacement of the Central Mental...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Following the transfer of the property to the Prison Service a specialist contractor was employed to secure the residence and site against vandalism and unauthorised access. This instruction was issued by the Prison Service. The works involved included securing the windows of the residence in a non-destructive manner which preserved intact all of the features of the property, as well as the...

Written Answers — Gangland Killings: Gangland Killings (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 209 and 212 together. I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to Questions Nos. 48 and 49 of today.

Written Answers — Court Accommodation: Court Accommodation (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the Courts Service Act 1998, the Courts Service, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the courts, is independent in the performance of its functions. I am responsible for ensuring that the service is adequately funded and, in this regard, €96.7 million was provided in 2005. The 2006 Estimates for the service provide for an increase of €3.84 million in respect of...

Written Answers — Criminal Assets: Criminal Assets (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible for the Garda to quantify, at any given time, the number of properties or businesses which are in the hands of or funded by criminal gangs or in the course of acquisition by such gangs. The Garda continues to take a proactive and integrated approach to the investigation of all serious crime. The Criminal Assets Bureau continues, under its...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy about this matter when the information becomes available.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 215 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 the Carlow-Kildare division on 19 October last was 332, all ranks. The personnel strength of the division on 31 December 1997 was 292, all ranks. Therefore, there has been an...