When we moved the adjournment of the debate I was referring to the large volume of tanker traffic around our coasts and the continuing possibility of oil pollution from an accident to one of those vessels. I pointed out that up to last year such accidents had occurred in the main far from our shores. However, in October 1978 and January 1979 two such accidents occurred close to our coasts.
The Christos Bitas listed badly off the Rosslare Coast in October and it took the combined efforts of both ourselves and the British authorities to avert disaster. The Defence Forces, particularly the Naval Service, played a major role in this operation. The Defence Forces were again called into action in the tragic Betelgeuse incident in January. While it was unfortunately not possible to reduce the grave loss of life which occurred on this occasion the dangers of a major oil spillage had to be faced. Units of the Army and the Naval Service responded with a will and, thanks to their splendid efforts, the effects of the incident were combated and an even worse disaster averted. Great credit is due to all who participated in both salvage operations.
It is also proposed to expand the Air Corps capability for air surveillance. The two aircraft on lease at present have a purchase option. It has not yet been decided if this option will be exercised. The question of acquiring aircraft specially designed for us in a marine environment is at present under examination.
A sum of over £7½ million has been provided in the Estimates for 1979 towards fishery protection. There is also a provision of nearly £1 million to cover the cost of obtaining a replacement for the Dove aircraft.
The Government decided recently that the Air Corps should be provided with a twin jet-engined transport aircraft and a contract for the supply of a Hawker Siddeley 125 Series 700 aircraft for delivery late in 1979 has been concluded with British Aerospace. Pending delivery of the new aircraft a Hawker Siddeley 125 Series 600 aircraft has been leased from British Aerospace and was handed over to the Air Corps on 18 May 1979. Air Corps personnel are at present undergoing training on this aircraft which it is expected, will go into service early in July. This aircraft will be operated by the Air Corps on such duties as pilot training, search and rescue, air ambulance and, as necessary, the transport of Government Ministers and officials especially to European Community meetings in Europe. In addition to the crew, the aircraft has seating for eight passengers. I realise that this will provide an additional burden for the Air Corps, but I feel sure that they will cope with this task in the same efficient manner as they have coped with others in the past.
A wide variety of games and sporting activities are, at present, catered for throughout the Army. Sporting facilities and equipment have been greatly improved. Sports competitions are held at unit and command level, all-Army gymnastic competitions are held annually and adventure training is widely practised. Army teams competed in competitions organised by the International Military Sports Council in 1978 in Italy, Norway and Finland. The Defence Forces were the hosts for the cross-country championships which were held in Cork in March 1979 and these were very successful competitions. It is expected that Army teams will participate in further events during 1979.
The Army Equitation School had a very successful year in 1978. Army riders and horses competed in 16 international shows including events in North America. Captain Power was a member of the Irish team winning the Aga Khan Cup. Captain Power also qualified for the world championship. Army riders won 12 first places 13 second places, 16 third and 16 fourth places with a total of 124 places in international shows. In addition 45 provincial horse shows and gymkhanas were attended at home. The total prize money won in 1978 was £26,000.
I have introduced a number of measures to encourage greater participation by members of the Permanent Defence Force in sporting activities. In order that fully qualified Army personnel will be available for this purpose, two Army cadets have commenced a four year course of study at Thomond College, Limerick, leading to a degree in physical education. It is intended that additional military personnel will be assigned to this course in future years.
Pending the availability of qualified Army personnel, arrangements are being made for the employment on a full-time basis of four civilian physical education teachers. I am hopeful that these teachers will be available to the Defence Forces at an early date.
A total of 120 cadets and officers are undergoing various full-time courses at third level educational institutions. In 1978 a cadet scheme was introduced for the purpose of providing the Naval Service with qualified marine engineers. Five cadets were appointed under this scheme and are undergoing full-time training in the Cork Regional Technical College. Discussions have also taken place between officials of my Department and the college on the question of the provision of suitable courses at the college for navigation cadets. It is the practice to assign a number of personnel to courses of training in foreign military establishments and during 1978 such courses were attended in Britain, France, Germany and the United States.
Members of the Permanent Defence who, in their own time, attend approved second level and third level courses of education are refunded the tuition and examination fees involved. Noncommissioned officers and privates who undergo courses leading to the Department of Education day group certificate are refunded the cost of books and examination fees.
A scheme whereby personnel are registered with AnCO as apprentices in various trades such as fitter, motor mechanic, sheet metal worker, bricklayer, plasterer and painter/decorator. These personnel attend either full-time off-the-job training courses of day-release courses. With a view to assisting Army personnel in finding civilian employment on discharge I have arranged for a number of resettlement courses to be run in Army workshops on a pilot basis.
The drop in the strength of other ranks during 1978 was largely due to the fact that a substantial number of those enlisted during 1975 did not continue in service on completion of their three-year engagement. The number of men enlisted for general service during 1975 when the last national recruiting campaign took place was 3,426. A recruiting campaign was conducted during October and November 1978 and continued during January and February 1979. The campaign involved the use of TV and press advertising with local recruiting measures in the commands. Recruiting publicity commenced again last month highlighting the generous pay and allowances being paid to military personnel. I recently appointed an advertising agency to undertake an intensive recruiting campaign which should commence in the near future. A separate recruiting campaign for the Naval Service is being conducted in view of the importance of that service.
I rith na bliana 1978 rinneadh iarrachtaí chun úsáid na Gaeilge sna Fórsaí Cosanta a leathnú agus go mór mhór chun fir óga ó na limistéirí Gaeltachta a spreagadh chun teacht isteach sna Buan Oglaigh. Dá réir sin cuireadh greasacht earraíochta ar bun chun cainteoirí dúchasacha óga ón nGaeltacht a gríosadh chun liostáil san Chéad Cathlán i nGaillimh agus bunaíodh campa traenála Samhraidh ar Inis Mór do chomhaltaí an Chéad Cathláin. Cuireadh ranganna Gaeilge agus comórtais díospóireachta i nGaeilge ar siúl sna Ceannasaíochta. Ins na comórtaisí le haghaidh ceapacháin do dhaltas san Arm agus san Seirbhís Chabhlaigh cuireadh roinnt ceapachán ar leathaoibh d'iarratasóirí a raibh cáilíocht áirithe i nGaeilge acu. Tá cúram faoi leith tugtha d'oifigeach i ngach Ceannasaiocht chun slite eile d'aimsiú chun feabhas a chur ar úsáid na Gaeilge sna fórsaí. Measaim féin go bhfuil tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis an teanga maidir leis na Fórsaí Cosanta agus tá sé ar intinn agam go leanfar go treán leis na hiarrachtaí chun leas na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn sna Fórsaí Cosanta i rith 1979.
The unprecedented sum of £4.240 million is being provided this year for building and maintenance works. This represents an increase of almost 50 per cent on the allocation last year. It will enable significant improvements to be made in the living and working conditions of the Defence Forces while, at the same time, contributing towards job creation.
It is my intention that all unsuitable Army married quarters will be replaced by modern housing. This is a big undertaking but a good start has been made. A scheme of 50 houses has just been completed at the Curragh Camp, and the question of building additional houses at the camp is under active consideration. Four houses were recently built at Arbour Hill, Dublin, and work has commenced on a scheme of 14 houses at McGee Barracks, Kildare. A contract will shortly be placed for 20 houses at Dún Ui Mhaoiliosa, Galway. Earlier this year I inspected the married quarters at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, and decided to initiate a programme for the phased replacement of the quarters with modern dwellings.
The first phase of the scheme, providing for 12 dwellings, should be commenced this year. The question of erecting new married quarters at other locations is also under consideration.
The single soldier is not being overlooked in the matter of improved living accommodation. New billet buildings are under construction at Finner Camp, Dundalk Barracks, Gormanston Camp, Dún Ui Mhaoiliosa and Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy. In other locations, existing billets continue to be improved, where practicable, by dividing large rooms into cubicles, the provision of individual bedhead lighting, installation of central heating and improvements to sanitary and ablution facilities.
I referred earlier to improvements in sporting facilities. As part of the Department's building programme a fine new sports centre is at present being constructed at Finner Camp and the building of new squash courts at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, has just been completed. I am particularly pleased to announce that the old pavilion at the Army Athletics Ground at the Phoenix Park is to be replaced by a new pavilion which will provide excellent modern amenities. I expect that a contract for this building will be placed within the next couple of months. I am also having consideration given to the question of providing new facilities at other centres.
Significant works in progress at the Curragh Camp include a new cookhouse and dining hall complex to cater for all ranks at Pearse and MacDonagh Barracks. A transport maintenance complex is under construction at Clarke Barracks and I anticipate that a contract will shortly be placed for a Curragh Command vehicle workshops to cater for repairs. Planning for the new Ceannt Barracks at the Curragh Camp is well advanced and I expect that a draft plan will soon be available.
The facilities for the Air Corps at Casement Aerodrome are to be improved. A building development plan has been drawn up and work will commence as soon as possible on the building of a new technical stores and an extension to the apprentices' hostel. The question of carrying out further works is at present being considered.
At the Naval Base, Haulbowline, improvements are being effected in the working conditions of civilian employees. Further improvements at the dockyard and for accommodation for additional Naval Service personnel are being planned. The provision of a new military post at Cavan, in replacement of the existing barracks which is very old, is at present under active consideration.
The sail training vessel Creidne completed its full programme of cruises during 1978 despite the fact that the weather during the season was the worst experienced since the sail training scheme began about ten years ago. Creidne spent a total of 156 days on cruises covering a total of 5,296 miles and 121 adults, 170 boys and 46 girls went to sea on the vessel. They came from many parts of the country and in some cases were in groups. There was, for example a group of young cadets from the Naval Service, a group from An Slua Muirí, a group from the vocational school in Ballyfermot, trainee fishermen from the Aran Islands and young employees of the Bank of Ireland. Unfortunately, all who applied for berths on cruises could not be accommodated—there were about 50 persons on the waiting list for cruises during the summer months.
The highlight of the 1978 season was the international race of sail training vessels from Great Yarmouth to Oslo Fjord in August. In this race Creidne finished in 12th position out of eighteen vessels in her class, a very creditable performance in view of the types of vessel against which she was competing. Apart from the race itself, Creidne participated in a Parade of Sail in Oslo.
Another full programme of cruises is being carried out this year. Once again some of the cruises include visits to ports abroad. The big event will be the international race of sail training vessels from Fowey on the south coast of Cornwall to the Isle of Man in late July/early August. Creidne will also be taking part in an international race from the Isle of Man to the Clyde commencing on 8 August 1979.
Work on the building of the new sail training vessel Asgard II at the shipyard of John Tyrell and Sons Ltd., Arklow, is proceeding satisfactorily. The keel was laid on 26 April 1979 and it is estimated that the planking of the vessel will be completed by August 1979 and the decking by the end of the year. Asgard II should be ready for delivery in the summer of 1980. Capable of carrying 25 persons, the new vessel will greatly extend the scope of the sail training scheme.
The historic vessel Asgard which was used for sail training purposes from 1968 to 1974 when it became unseaworthy, was transferred to Kilmainham Jail on 1 April 1979 in accordance with a decision of the Government that the vessel should be presented to the Kilmainham Jail Historical Museum on the basis of an indefinite loan, for exhibition to the public. After a lean-to roof has been erected over the vessel and a viewing platform provided, Asgard will be formally handed over to the museum.
Provision is made in subhead G of the Defence Estimate for a nett sum of £825,000 for Civil Defence purposes. The amount voted last year was £504,000. The additional provision this year is required for the purchase of much-needed equipment and towards the completion of the programme of Civil Defence Control Centres.
The Civil Defence organisation consisting, as it does, of voluntary personnel merits our praise and encouragement and I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the local authorities for their achievements in the development of the organisation. The fall-out exercise which was held in February last and televised through the courtesy of RTE involved not only the Civil Defence Warden Service throughout the country but also elements of the Defence Forces, the Garda Síochána, the Meteorological Service and the Irish Lights Service and proved to be a useful test of the strength of a major component of the Civil Defence organisation. Other exercises and competitions are planned for the present year with a view to strengthening the rescue, casualty, welfare and auxiliary fire service elements of Civil Defence.
Five hundred and one thousand pounds of the sum provided is required to meet the cost of grants to local authorities—at the rate of 70 per cent —on their outlay on administration, recruitment and training of volunteers and on the storage, servicing and maintenance of equipment. Provision is also made for the purchase of new equipment.
The active co-operation of the Irish Red Cross Society, the Order of Malta and the St. John Ambulance Brigade with Civil Defence has continued and I wish to record here my appreciation of these societies' contributions.
I must also record my special appreciation of the response the Irish Red Cross Society has given to the Government's recent request to set up a reception centre to cater for the intial reception and care of Indo-Chinese refugees. As Deputies are aware the Government have decided to accept 100 of these refugees for resettlement here. I am confident that, with the help of the Irish Red Cross Society and of those other voluntary societies who have particular experience and knowledge of conditions in Indo-China, these unfortunate people will soon build a new life for themselves in Ireland.
The Army Pensions Estimate for the sum of £15,774,000 is also before the House. The corresponding figure for last year, taking into account a Supplementary Estimate for £800,000 was £15,082,000. This represents an increase of £692,000. The Estimate includes a provision of £118,000 towards the cost of the increase in pensions and allowances which will come into operation from 1 July 1979 in accordance with the principle of bringing all public service pensions up to the rates in force on that date.
The main increases are: £104,000 in subhead B—wound and disability pensions; £564,000 in subhead E—pensions and gratuities for members of the Permanent Defence Force; £153,000 in subhead L—free travel, free electricity, free television licence and free telephone rental subsidy; £110,000 in subhead M—funeral grants. These increases are offset in the main by reductions of: £118,000 in subhead D—Military service pensions; £128,000 in subhead G—special allowances.
Deputies may be interested to know that there are 4,300 widows of military service pensioners in receipt of allowances equal to one-half their deceased husband's pension, subject to a minimum of £155 a year. The average rate of allowance is £228 a year. There are 900 widows of deceased soldiers in receipt of pensions under the pension schemes—contributory and ex gratia—which I introduced last year.
I regret that the numbers of special allowance holders continue to fall. There are at present 6,600 special allowances on pay and the average allowance is £322 a year.
In accordance with the policy of the Government to improve whenever possible the benefits available to veterans of the War of Independence, provision was made in the budget for the following improvements which will come into operation on 1 July 1979: (a) a separate increase in special allowance of £100 a year over and above the budgetary increase; (b) a doubling of the funeral grant from £100 to £200 and its extension to all holders of the duly awarded service medal; (c) an extension of the free telephone rental subsidy to a veteran living with his wife, or with an invalid, or with an old age, blind, or widowed pensioner or with a person residing with him for the purpose of providing constant care and attention. If there is any further information which Deputies may require I will be glad to supply it in the course of my reply to the debate.
