Results 15,901-15,920 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that any incident involving the receipt of abusive text messages on mobile telephones should immediately be brought to the attention of the Garda Síochána. I am assured that all such reports will be fully investigated to ascertain whether there is any breach of the criminal law on the basis of evidence collected during the investigation.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for transfer, charge and first registration which was lodged on 24 March 2005. Dealing number D2005XS005749A refers. I am further informed that the application for first registration is to be withdrawn and that the application for transfer and charge was completed on 5 April 2005.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 701 and 774 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that applications for Garda CCTV systems in both Ardee and Drogheda have been received by the CCTV advisory committee. This committee was established by the Garda commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV systems. These applications are currently under consideration by the advisory...

Written Answers — Drugs Problem: Drugs Problem (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible within the timeframe involved to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel, that the personnel strength of Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee Garda stations as at 1 January, in each of the past five years and as at 5 April 2005, was as follows: Station 1/1/01 1/1/02 1/1/03 1/1/04 1/1/05 5/4/05 Drogheda 90 89 89 90 89 90 Dundalk 97 99 96...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand that an application for additional capital grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, was submitted by the group in question to my Department some time ago. The EOCP is a seven year development programme which aims to increase the availability and quality of child care to support parents in employment, education and training. Following a...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 705 to 710, inclusive, together. The table shows the total number of robberies of cash-goods in transit and robbery of an establishment/institution in respect of offences against licensed premises, banks and post offices for the years 2002, June to December, 2003 and 2004. There were no aggravated burglary offences recorded for these types of premises in the...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 713 and 714 together. I am not aware of any minor under the age of 18 years who was deported from the State unaccompanied by either a parent or older guardian. When families are being deported every effort is made to maintain the family unit. However, there have been instances where parents have chosen not to take their children with them when being deported....

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are no sections of my Department based outside Dublin that are scheduled to be moved under the Government's decentralisation programme.

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The incident referred to by the Deputy occurred on 4 March 2005 in a premises owned by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and managed by the de Paul Trust. The said premises provides transitional accommodation for women leaving prison who would otherwise be homeless. The project is funded by my Department through the probation and welfare service. The emergency services and the Garda were...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Employment in the Civil Service is governed by a particular legal framework with well-defined procedures and practices. The Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 sets out the terms and conditions upon which civil servants are appointed. It also distinguishes between an established civil servant and an unestablished civil servant. Pension terms flow from the employment status of the employee....

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda that local Garda management liaise with Irish Rail and with local residents on a regular basis on this matter. The issue of fencing at the location has been taken up at meetings with Irish Rail, which has advised local Garda management that they are examining the issue. I am further informed by the Garda that, to date in 2005, there are no reports of attacks on...

Written Answers — Fairtrade Products: Fairtrade Products (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has no responsibility for the subject matter of this question and that products acquired by the Department are purchased in accordance with established Government procurement guidelines.

Written Answers — Inquiry into Child Abuse: Inquiry into Child Abuse (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I cannot trace any report within my Department from the information supplied by the Deputy. However, if the Deputy can supply any further details, I will look at the matter again.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy is a non-EEA national employed in the State under the employment permit scheme. The general rule in these cases is that the worker may be joined by his or her spouse and dependent children once the worker has completed one year's service with his or her employer and has been offered a contract for a further year. This is subject to the worker being in a...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The application for a re-entry visa referred to by the Deputy was refused by my Department at initial stage on 10 January 2005. When assessing the application, the visa officer noted that the applicant's permission to remain in the State was due to expire shortly thereafter, on 21 February 2005. Consequently, as it would not have been appropriate to grant a re-entry visa in this case, the...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The level of judicial resources is kept under continuous review. As the Deputy may be aware, the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 increased by two the statutory maximum number of District Court judges. The total number of posts is now 55. A vacancy exists by virtue of the retirement of a judge of the District Court on 3 April 2005 and arrangements are in hand to request the Government to...

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: A significant number of psychologists have been appointed to the Irish Prison Service in recent months and this recruitment process is not yet complete. By June of 2005 there will be 14 psychologists working in the Irish Prison Service and, with these increased resources, the psychology service will be better placed to meet the complex and diverse needs of the Irish Prison Service for...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda that the data requested by the Deputy is currently only available for the period 2000 to 2003, inclusive. This data is set out in a tabular statement. Type of Drug 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Heroin 38.3 kgs 16.9 kgs 23.9 kgs 29.5 kgs 16.7 kgs 27.05 kgs Cocaine 333.2 kgs 85.5 kgs 18 kgs 5.3 kgs 31.7 kgs 107.46 kgs Cannabis Resin 2157...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 726 and 727 together. The Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, EOCP, 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...