Results 15,301-15,320 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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...

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

Michael McDowell: As regards crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime between quarters, I am pleased to note that during my term of office...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The application in question sought to enable the wife and children of a person who has temporary leave to remain here until 5 March 2006 to join him in the State. Having given full consideration to the applications the visas were refused because the visa officer was not satisfied, on the basis of documentation supplied, that the applicants could be fully supported by the spouse in the State...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: To date, my Department has not received the visa application to which the Deputy is referring.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 267, inclusive, together. As regards crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the complaints of the persons concerned, which were also the subject of a parliamentary question answered on 10 May. The central issue linking these complaints is the issue of costs for persons appearing before the Morris tribunal. This issue has been raised many times in the House and the position is clear. The current legislation, the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 15 March 2004. The average processing time for such an application is currently 24 months. On the basis of the current average processing time, it is likely therefore that the application of the individual concerned will be finalised in early...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned has instituted judicial review proceedings challenging a deportation order made in respect of him and, accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further in this case.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for a transfer sale which was originally lodged on 12 December 2004 — dealing No. D2004TJ026975X refers. I am further informed that the application was rejected on 1 March, 2005 and re-lodged on 11 March 2005 — dealing No. D2005TJ005850B refers. I am also informed that a query issued to the lodging solicitors on 15 March...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that permission to remain for the child in question has been granted.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for voluntary transfer which was lodged on 30 November, 2004 — dealing No. D2004TJ025267R refers. I am further informed that this application was completed on 13 May 2005.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 to 279, inclusive, together. With regard to crime figures the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime...

Written Answers — Court Cases: Court Cases (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I replied to the Deputy by letter dated 5 May 2005, the details of which I repeat hereafter. The question is very broad and it has proved difficult to identify those cases before the courts which relate to "any aspect of immigration". There are three types of court cases which could potentially fall within the ambit of the question. These are where charges under various laws have been brought...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (17 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department is finalising its annual report for 2004 and I anticipate that it will be published in mid-year, following its translation into Irish. The Deputy may be interested to note that my Department has recently completed its third progress report on the implementation of An Agreed Programme for Government commitments for which it is responsible — almost 70 commitments in total. The...