Results 15,261-15,280 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 25 April 2005 I met with the SIPTU general president and SIPTU representatives from a number of the cash in transit companies. I informed them that I wanted to ensure that proper procedures and standards are in place to combat the threat to security employees, their families and the general public. Measures would have to be taken to ensure that the highest standards would be met in cash...

Written Answers — Prisons Building Programme: Prisons Building Programme (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The procedures followed for the selection and purchase of the site at Thornton are the subject of proceedings before the High Court and the Deputy will appreciate that care must be taken to avoid prejudicing those proceedings. Nevertheless, the committee, which recommended purchase of the site at Thornton, gave full consideration to all potential sites brought to its attention, including the...

Written Answers — Maternity Leave Provisions: Maternity Leave Provisions (17 May 2005)

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. The working group recommended an increase in the maternity leave entitlement, which attracts a payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, from 14 weeks to 18 weeks and an increase in the...

Written Answers — Family Law: Family Law (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 188 to 191, inclusive, on 12 May 2005.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 71 together. An implementation plan in respect of the decentralisation of certain asylum and immigration functions was prepared last year and is available on my Department's website. A number of sites in Tipperary town are being considered by the Office of Public Works and the acquisition process is at an advanced stage. Any final agreement will depend...

Written Answers — Garda Systems: Garda Systems (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The fixed charge processing system, FCPS, is the Garda IT system for processing fixed charge road traffic offences including the requirements for the penalty points system. The FCPS is currently operational in the Dublin metropolitan region, Cork city and parts of Louth and Meath. Accordingly, the Garda Síochána exchange information with the following organisations: the Courts Service for...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (17 May 2005)

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 of the Garda Síochána as of 12 May 2005 was 12,257, all ranks. It is proposed to induct approximately 1,100 Garda students to the Garda college in 2005, consisting of four intakes of approximately 275 students. The first of these four...

Written Answers — Prison Reports: Prison Reports (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the inspector's comprehensive report on St. Patrick's Institution and I concur entirely with the report's principal finding that, despite the best efforts of many people, there is an urgent need to replace that institution with a modern facility which will have the range and level of services required to meet the needs of young people in custody. That is why I am determined to press...

Written Answers — Independent Monitoring Commission Report: Independent Monitoring Commission Report (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The fifth report of the Independent Monitoring Commission will come before the Government tomorrow. It is the intention of both the UK and Irish Governments to publish the report very shortly. I will arrange to have the report laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas prior to publication, pursuant to section 10 of the Independent Monitoring Commission Act 2003. Until the report has been...

Written Answers — Garda Personnel: Garda Personnel (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to oral Question No. 15 of today's date.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have approached a leading senior counsel to examine the Garda papers on the investigation of the Grangegorman murders of 6-7 March 1997 with a view to examining how Mr. Dean Lyons came to make a confession to a crime he did not commit, the lessons that can be learned from that occurrence in an effort to ensure that anything similar does not happen again in the future and what further steps...

Written Answers — Money Laundering Offences: Money Laundering Offences (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The offence of money laundering was created by the Criminal Justice Act 1994, as amended, and is now well established. A feature of the anti-money laundering regime in this jurisdiction is the obligation on designated bodies to report suspicious transactions to the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. Designated bodies include a wide range of financial institutions, solicitors,...

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 124 of 12 April 2005. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 68 together. The Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006 is a central pillar in the Government's child care strategy and is intended to increase the availability and quality of child care supports for parents in employment, education or training. The programme is funded by the Exchequer and the European Union Structural Funds as part of...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the recent report of the Forum on the Workplace of the Future which made this finding. I would, however, draw the Deputy's attention to data on the participation of women in the labour market published by the Central Statistics Office. The March 2005 issue of the quarterly national household survey shows a female labour force participation rate of 50.8% in the final quarter of...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 22 of today's date.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: While I have always urged caution in the interpretation of short term statistics, I was please to note decreases in aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, the largest category of sexual offences, rape of a female and unlawful carnal knowledge in the provisional headline crime figures for the quarter ending 31 March 2005 compared with the corresponding quarter last year. I was concerned,...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: In July 2002, the then Minister of State, Deputy Willie O'Dea, wrote to all Ministers requesting them to review the gender balance on the State boards and committees under the aegis of their Departments and to take measures to redress gender imbalances, where the 40% target has not yet been reached. The Minister of State also advised Ministers that, to ensure progress, it was intended to...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: An amount of €8.2 million has been spent on the construction of an education block which includes a reception-administration and a recreation hall. This expenditure also relates to alterations carried out to the existing B wing of St. Patrick's Institution, external works, professional fees and fit out. I understand from the Irish Prison Service that the unit, which can accommodate 44...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the existing accommodation facilities at Dromad Garda station. It is the intention to provide alternative accommodation for the gardaí serving there as soon as practicable, and in that regard my Department has submitted a specific proposal to the Office of Public Works which is considering a number of options in the matter. Accordingly, the Deputy will, I hope, appreciate that...