asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on Naval Service morale; and if he has satisfied himself with the conditions of service, accommodation, pay, and equipment in the Naval Service.
25.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Naval Service.
24.
asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the accommodation and general conditions in the Naval Base, Haulbowline; if he will outline the improvements made to the accommodation and facilities in the last ten years; the improvements it is proposed to make in the coming year; and details of the future plans to improve conditions there.
26.
asked the Minister for Defence the progress made with the plans to link Spike Island with Haulbowline; when work will commence and when it will be completed; if he has satisfied himself with the general conditions of accommodation and facilities there; and if he will outline the steps it is proposed to take to improve these and the estimated time scale.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 25, and 26 together.
As the Deputy has already been informed, a new establishment for the Naval Service has been authorised. By 1982 the establishment will total about 1,250 all ranks as against 800 in 1978.
Over the past year various measures have been adopted to improve both the basic pay and special allowances of Naval Service personnel and I am satisfied that within the resources available all reasonable efforts are being made to ensure that the pay and conditions of service of these and all other personnel of the Defence Forces are kept at an acceptable level.
The provision of new vessels for the Naval Service is proceeding at an unprecedented rate. These vessels have a very high standard of communications equipment and navigational aids. The accommodation on the vessels is up to the highest international maritime standards. Planning for two helicopter-bearing vessels is at an advanced stage and it is anticipated that the first of these will be delivered in 1982 and the second in 1983.
As the information regarding improvements made to accommodation and facilities at the Naval Base is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Tenders will be invited soon for the construction of a new billet at the base to accommodate 70 other ranks personnel. This billet should be available by 1982.
The accommodation and facilities at the base, which are now fully utilised, will be inadequate for the Naval Service as it expands. With a view to facilitating the expansion of the Service, consideration is, as I indicated in reply to a question on 27 February 1980, being given to the provision of a roadway between Haulbowline and Spike Island and additional facilities on Spike Island. A consulting engineer has been commissioned to carry out a study to determine the feasibility and cost of constructing a bridge, or a causeway, between the two locations.
The final report on the study is expected to be available in the autumn. If the report indicates that it would be feasible to build a bridge or a causeway, the question of building will then be considered in the light of the estimated cost and the resources available.
An outline development plan has been prepared for the provision of accommodation for the Naval Service on Spike Island. This plan incorporates existing buildings, many of which are in a reasonable state of repair, as well as new ones considered necessary to meet future requirements.
I am satisfied that the measures I have outlined will contribute towards the maintenance of a high level of morale among personnel of the Naval Service.
Following is the Statement: Improvement of accommodation and facilities at Naval Base, Haulbowline Works carried out since 1 January 1970.
1. Renovation of and improvements to Canteen.
2. Renovation of Officers' Mess.
3. Renovation of House No. 54.
4. Heating of Petty Officers' Mess.
5. Heating of National School.
6. Installation of sanitary and ablution facilities in Military Police Billet.
7. Alterations to and renovation of Houses 16 and 38.
8. Reconstruction of Houses 43 to 49.
9. Renovation of Houses 4, 5, 51 and 53.
10. Extension of Petty Officers' Mess.
11. Decoration of Cadets' Mess.
12. Installation of sanitary and ablution facilities in Drill Shed.
13. Improvement to Base electrical installation.
14. Improvements to billet accommodation by conversion of large rooms to cubicles.
15. Re-wiring of Block No. 6.
16. Construction of squash courts.
17. Improvements to Naval Dockyard Workshops.
If the consulting engineer recommends that no action be taken because it is not feasible, how does the Minister intend to cater for the anticipated increase in recruits?
There is no information available to me to suggest that it will not be feasible to build either a bridge or a causeway.
In the course of his reply the Minister said that a consulting engineer is determining whether it would be feasible to link Haulbowline with Spike Island. My information is that the buildings on Spike Island are derelict and that it is possible the consulting engineer could recommend that no further action be taken.
It is better not to prophesy what the consulting engineer will recommend.
When will his report be available?
In the autumn.
Does the Minister share the concern of his predecessor as Minister for Defence in relation to the morale of the Naval Service and would he accept that accommodation, conditions of employment and a number of other problems are contributory factors?
The Deputy is making a statement.
I have asked three questions and they have been lumped together.
That does not permit the Deputy to make a long statement.
I am facilitating the Chair by linking a number of supplementary questions. Is the Minister aware that some Naval Service personnel have to sleep in disused vessels?
All of this is being looked into at present and a final report from the consulting engineer is awaited in regard to improvements at the base. We negotiated substantial moneys from the EEC for the purchase of modern naval protection vessels and this has been a large factor in improving the morale and effectiveness of the Naval Service.
Does the Minister accept the statement made by the then Minister for Defence, Deputy Molloy, relating to the morale of the Naval Service?
The question of morale is a value judgment. We will try to improve everything and we now have funds from the EEC for naval vessels.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.