Results 13,481-13,500 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested is contained in the following tables. Table 1: Number of applications for asylum received and the number of recommendations by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner* to grant Refugee Status (at first instance) in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005** 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005** No. of applications received 10,938 10,325 11,634...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 47 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of gardaí, of all ranks, allocated to traffic duties as at 19 October 2005 was 574. A further seven gardaí, of all ranks, are attached to the Garda national traffic bureau based at Garda headquarters. While the members of the traffic corps are specifically dedicated to traffic...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: As indicated in the Government legislative programme, announced by the Chief Whip on 27 September 2005, the Defamation Bill is in the course of being drafted with a view to being published in early 2006. As part of the process of reform in this area, an expert group has been established, chaired by Mr. Brian Murray SC, to consider and prepare an appropriate legislative basis for the...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the publication in question. The position is that my Department provides for wide access to civil legal advice and assistance via the Legal Aid Board and its nationwide network of law centres. The board's services are available to persons of modest means and at little cost. Funding for the board has been increased by 16% since last year to €21.362 million in 2005 and this...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have received correspondence on the matter, a copy of which was made available to the Garda Commissioner. I have been informed that the Garda Commissioner has directed an assistant commissioner to examine matters raised in the correspondence and to furnish a report on them. I have requested that the Garda authorities inform me of the outcome of the examination. As the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 128 together. I have met some of the principals in my capacity as a Dáil Deputy and arranged for some of them to be met by officials in my Department at a senior level. I regard the underlying allegations as being of the upmost gravity. They have been conveyed to the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána and he appointed a chief superintendent on 11 May...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that following a written complaint to the Garda Síochána, an investigation was initiated to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged sale of items of Garda uniforms to film and theatre companies in recent years. A member of the Garda Síochána has been arrested as part of this investigation. I am further informed that this Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Reform: Garda Reform (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the comprehensive reform of the Garda Síochána. The Act is the first major revision of the operation of the Garda Síochána since the foundation of the State. The Act will reform the manner in which the Garda Síochána is managed and will clarify the role and objectives of the force and its relationship with the Minister and Government of the...

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the detailed reply I gave to Questions Nos. 655 and 663 on Tuesday, 18 October 2005.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 68 together. The Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, which is implemented by my Department, has been a landmark development in Irish child care policy. As this very successful investment programme has reached its final stage, the full range of child care issues and how we should best address them are being critically examined at...

Written Answers — State Exonerations: State Exonerations (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The events in which the person in question came to public attention are a matter of public record. No finding of guilt was ever made in the courts regarding the person in question in respect of the said events. Accordingly, the question of an "exoneration" does not appear to arise.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 63 together. The Deputy has referred to the effectiveness of the EOCP and to recent comments by the ESRI regarding future child care costs and availability. I understand the comments referred to arose from two ESRI working papers entitled The Labour Market to 2015 and Ireland - an Ageing Multicultural Economy, which were presented at a recent SIPTU...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned became an Irish citizen when he was granted a certificate of naturalisation on 24 April 1995. As an Irish citizen, he is entitled to hold an Irish passport. I am aware from a newspaper article of the alleged arrest of the person concerned. I have also noted the remarks in the media about the possibility of the person concerned evading prosecution due to the fact that he...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Child care was identified as an investment priority under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. This was in direct response to the recommendations of the expert working group on child care established under Partnership 2000 to develop a strategy for the development and delivery of child care. My Department was given lead responsibility for the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP,...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 158 together. The Deputy will appreciate that policing operations are a matter for the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that criminal networks involved in the areas of criminality referred to by the Deputy are identified in a number of ways. Ongoing investigations and intelligence gathering by specialist national units working in...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that the primary responsibility for funding agencies providing support services to the victims of violence against women rests with the Department of Health and Children. My Department has provided funding to non-governmental organisations at the level as set out in the following table. This financial assistance has been provided in respect of such matters as...

Written Answers — Homeless Persons: Homeless Persons (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 64 together. The issues faced by offenders that are homeless or at risk of homelessness, both in the community and in custody, have long been recognised. These issues have been the focus of increased consideration in recent years, particularly in the context of the Government's integrated strategy on homelessness, 2000, and following the publication of...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have had inquiries made in this matter and I am informed that the Garda authorities are satisfied that this case was the subject of a full and proper investigation which resulted in a person being charged on the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions and subsequently dealt with by the courts. I understand that no other persons are sought with regard to this incident. The courts...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 addresses the problem of drug misuse across a number of pillars — supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research — and implementation of the strategy across a range of Government Departments and agencies is co-ordinated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Government is aware of the increased...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have met some of the principals in my capacity as a Dáil Deputy and arranged for some of the principals to be met by officials in my Department at a senior level. I regard the underlying allegations as being of the upmost gravity. They have been conveyed to the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána and he has appointed a chief superintendent to investigate the matter further. I am informed...