Results 1,521-1,540 of 2,551 for speaker:Pat Carey

Planning Legislation. (6 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for raising the issues of democracy, accountability and participation in the planning process. One of the main goals set for the coming years by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, on whose behalf I am taking this adjournment matter, is to maximise public participation in the planning process, from the forward planning...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: I wish to share time with the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Jimmy Devins, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern, and Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy John McGuinness. It was interesting to hear Deputy Varadkar refer to the role of the medical profession...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: I would be very interested to hear the Deputy's proposals.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: In respect of the area for which I am responsible, I welcome the €12.5 million increase in funding for drugs programmes in 2008, which the Minister for Finance announced in yesterday's budget. This increase of more than 25% constitutes a major funding boost for drugs programmes next year and builds on increases in funding secured for these programmes in the past three years. It reaffirms...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: The ten Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) were set up under the National Drugs Strategy in 2003 and their areas of operation correspond with the Health Board areas of that time. This approach was taken given the importance of the health aspects of the Strategy and the general aim of achieving coherence with regard to regional boundaries. Following extensive consultation processes, each RDTF...

Written Answers — Substance Abuse: Substance Abuse (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: I have serious concerns over the safety of herbal ecstasy and other such substances. While I know that many people believe that such products are safe because they can be bought over the counter, there are no guarantees in that regard. Users of such substances have reported a range of adverse reactions such as vomiting, headache, palpitations, poor appetite, stomach pains/ nausea, anxiety,...

Written Answers — Volunteer Movement: Volunteer Movement (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: I have not been approached by the National Youth Council of Ireland. I understand that the Department of Education funds many of their Programmes. My Department already funds participation by 18-25 year olds in voluntary activity through its funding of volunteer centres countrywide. There are currently 13 volunteer centres with a further 8 at an advanced stage of development. Statistical...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 84 together. Under the National Drugs Strategy, ten Regional Drugs Task Forces (RDTFs) were set up in 2003 to cover all parts of the country not covered by a Local Drugs Task Force, thus achieving full coverage of the country. Following extensive consultation processes, each RDTF prepared a Strategic Plan to respond to illicit drug use in their areas...

Written Answers — Departmental Surveys: Departmental Surveys (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: To date, I have not received a copy of the Drug Prevalence Survey. The first bulletin from the Survey will be published in January and it will cover overall national trends on an all island basis. This will facilitate comparison with the first Drug Prevalence Survey which was carried out in 2002/03. While it had been envisaged that these results would be published this Autumn, I understand...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: At the outset, I wish to express my condolences to the family of Kevin Doyle on their great loss and to again send my good wishes to John Grey and his family. I hope that he makes a full recovery. Since I became Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, I have repeatedly warned — both in this House and elsewhere — of the dangers of illegal drug use. In that...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: I am aware of the dangers that crack cocaine use can pose in terms of the potential harm to individuals, families and communities. I am also aware of the risk that crack cocaine could potentially spread to increasing numbers of cities and towns here. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that, while there has been an increase in the number of seizures of crack cocaine over the past...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: When they were first established, the fourteen Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) were charged with assessing the nature and extent of the illicit drug problems in their areas of operation and with developing action plans for a co-ordinated response to those problems. Following extensive consultation, such plans were produced for all LDTF areas. Specific projects to deliver on the priorities...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: A total of nearly €20m was allocated to the 14 Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs) this year through my Department. This includes allocations under the Emerging Needs Fund and a sum for cross-Task Force initiatives. The allocations were as follows: Local Drugs Task Force Area 2007 Allocation Ballyfermot 1,518,995 Ballymun 1,125,743 Blanchardstown 1,047,347 Bray 1,646,273 Canal...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: Further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 9 October, I set out below a table showing the number and value of projects submitted, and the number and value of projects approved, in respect of each of the 18 areas covered by the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund. The selection criteria used in reaching these decisions are also attached. Furthermore, the Deputy should note that the...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: The majority of current expenditure allocated to community based groups through my Department for drugs initiatives is channelled through the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces and the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund. The combined current expenditure under these headings this year will exceed €40m, a substantial increase on the amount spent in 2006. A further €8m is being...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 111 on 1st November 2007 in relation to this matter.

Substance Misuse. (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: I assume the Deputy is referring primarily to the tragic cocaine-related incident that occurred in Ballybeg in Waterford last week. I express my condolences to the family of Kevin Doyle on their great loss and send my good wishes to John Grey and his family. I hope he makes a full recovery. The details of the incident available to me are those reported in the media. Since I became...

Substance Misuse. (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: The debate last week began that process. The Taoiseach called on anyone likely to get involved in drug misuse not to do so. I echo the call of the Doyle family that young people say no to drugs. A number of local radio stations are working in this regard. The cross care site seems to have attracted an enormous amount of attention when Members spoke of engaging with web-based technology in...

National Drugs Strategy. (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: The estimated expenditure of over €200 million on problem drug use in 2006 refers to spending across all Departments and agencies, rather than the figure for my Department alone. Through the interdepartmental group on drugs, relevant Departments and agencies reported on their 2006 expenditure and the total was in excess of €200 million. Of this amount, €41 million related to...

National Drugs Strategy. (5 Dec 2007)

Pat Carey: There is still a serious misunderstanding of the magnitude of the problem facing us. I have never tried to minimise the challenge with regard to the scale of drug misuse. The local drug task forces and increasingly the regional drugs task forces have an impact. I am fairly conversant at this stage with their work. The local drugs task force work is a collaborative effort drawn up under...