Results 1,621-1,640 of 2,551 for speaker:Pat Carey

Written Answers — Voluntary Sector: Voluntary Sector (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: An application from the group referred to by the Deputy has been received under the new Funding Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. Assessment of the large number of applications received under this Scheme is currently underway, with a view to having new funding arrangements in place before the cessation of the current funding at the end of November...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: I am aware of the dangers that crack cocaine use can pose in terms of the potential harm it can cause 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...

National Drugs Strategy. (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: I thank Deputy Ring for tabling this priority question and I take the opportunity to congratulate him on his appointment. I look forward to working with him. I also congratulate Deputy Wall and look forward to working with him also for whatever period we are together. The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 has achieved considerable success across a range of areas in reducing the hardship...

National Drugs Strategy. (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: I agree this task is one of the most challenging there is. Having spent the past three months meeting local drugs task forces and some regional drugs task forces, I am very impressed by the range of work being carried out at local level by the community and voluntary sector and by the statutory sector. In regard to the amount spent, I can provide the Deputy with a detailed breakdown. In...

National Drugs Strategy. (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: Advertising is part of the national drugs strategy. We have a number of pilot projects, in particular, one in the Blanchardstown area where there is a freefone service, a texting service and a postal service. The national drugs strategy intends rolling that out over a wider area. I am also examining other ways of targeting young people using new web-based and text-based technologies. I...

National Drugs Strategy. (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: I am aware of the recent report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which suggested that Ireland is experiencing a higher rate of increase in cocaine use than other developed countries. I must stress, however, that it is the rate of increase that was being assessed in the report, not the actual level of cocaine usage. Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that our rate of...

National Drugs Strategy. (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: The use of cocaine is worrying. There is no point in pretending otherwise. It is now a phenomenon across all social classes. That was highlighted in the Rehab Group report and in the report on cocaine which was published earlier this year. There are measures and pilot projects, including four cocaine-specific initiatives. There is one in Blanchardstown and another in the south inner...

National Drugs Strategy. (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: The three projects to which I referred are very specific. Local drugs task forces, the HSE and others provide for a wide range of interventions. We are developing best practice. While there is no alternative to cocaine in terms of medication, there are interventions in terms of therapies and so on. It is not true to say nothing is being done. An important intervention which has been...

Drug Seizures. (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: The Government is well aware of the threat from drug trafficking associated with coastal areas and I am satisfied that the relevant authorities — the Customs and Excise Service of the Revenue Commissioners and the Garda, supported as appropriate by the Irish Naval Service — are addressing the issues in a co-ordinated and integrated way. In addition, the response required to tackle this...

Drug Seizures. (27 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: In recent weeks Garda authorities have increased the number of gardaí assigned to drug intervention issues. The interagency approach which is key to all of this is being constantly monitored. In the last number of weeks I have had a number of meetings to ensure the interagency approach is beefed up, for want of a better term. I had an interesting meeting in July with a group largely...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: The Deputy will appreciate that primary responsibility for drug treatment rests with my colleague, Mary Harney T.D., Minister for Health and Children. However, I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides addiction services in 9 locations in the Midlands region. The range of services provided includes methadone maintenance, counselling, education/ awareness programmes and...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 has achieved considerable success across a range of different areas and will continue to do so in its remaining fifteen months of operation. In particular, the Deputy should note that: The level of drugs seizures by the Gardaí and the Customs Service have been well in excess of the targets set out in the Strategy and they include a number of...

Written Answers — Community and Voluntary Sector Funding: Community and Voluntary Sector Funding (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 625 and 626 together. A Funding Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector was advertised in May, 2007 with a closing date of 22nd June, 2007 for receipt of applications. A large number of applications were received under this Scheme. Assessment of these applications is currently underway, with a view to having new funding...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 633 together. The Centre in question applied for funding under the Dormant Accounts Flagship funding measure. Pobal carried out the initial assessment of all applications on behalf of my Department and found that the application from the group in question did not score sufficiently against the criteria approved by Government and consequently did not...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: Among the priority measures approved by Government for assistance from dormant accounts in 2007 is one providing up to €2 million for small-scale equipment grants for youth groups. This repeats the 2006 funding measure, administered through the VECs, which supported almost 1,450 youth clubs and groups throughout the country. The Department of Education and Science is the lead department...

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: This motion is more to do with the attempt by Fine Gael and its leader to recover the initiative which has been snatched from them by a very eager new leader of the Labour Party whom I congratulate on his appointment. The Fine Gael motion is nothing short of political grandstanding. As the Members opposite know very well, the Oireachtas set up the tribunal and requested its report. It is...

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: He gave evidence for 18 hours last week.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: It is time for the Opposition to stop the political opportunism because that is all it is.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: There is clearly sour grapes overhanging from the election. I am not sure that the defeat has even been conceded yet.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Pat Carey: The election debate demonstrated that Deputy Kenny could not beat the Taoiseach on the issues so he now seems to be intent on playing the man rather than the ball and he will have the same success as his football team has had in that venture.