Thursday, 25 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 173-187

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Questions (173, 174, 175)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

173. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff members of his Department that have been awarded internal promotions and or additional acting up or temporary allowances to perform more senior roles since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades involved; the pre-promotion temporary acting and post promotion temporaryacting pay scales; the total increase in salary payments to each staff member involved; the duration of assignments; the area to which each person was assigned; the business reasons supporting any such decision; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47168/12]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

174. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff members from his Department that have been temporarily and or permanently redeployed to other Government Departments or agencies since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades and pay scales of same; the total amount of savings achieved in salary payments in respect of the persons concerned; the duration of assignments; the business reasons supporting the redeployment of staff; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47184/12]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

175. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff members that have been temporarily and or permanently redeployed to his Department from other Government Departments or agencies since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades and pay scales involved; the total increase in salary payments for his Department in respect of the persons concerned; the duration of assignments; the area to which each person was assigned; the business reasons supporting the redeployment of staff; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47199/12]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 175, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort that could not be justified where there are other significant demands on resources. I have, however, set out information below on how my Department has managed its staff numbers since the introduction of the Moratorium on recruitment and promotion which may be of assistance to the Deputy.

While continuing to deliver critical services, a wide range of initiatives have been taken to reduce staff numbers including the utilisation of all available exit mechanisms (e.g. retirements, career breaks, shorter working year and redeployment) as well as significant re-organisation of functions within the Department, achievement of considerable flexibilities at unit level, pro-active management of flexibilities around work sharing and other schemes and non-replacement of all but the most vital of staff who vacate posts. On that basis my Department has shed some 16% of its serving staff in the period from 2008 to end Q3 2012.

Since the introduction of the Moratorium internal promotions, either temporary or permanent, have only arisen in limited circumstances. Such circumstances would have included, limited filling of vital vacant posts, limited replacement of staff availing of the Shorter Working Year Scheme and providing cover to posts where staff have been assigned to EU Presidency duties. I am advised that the necessary sanctions from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform were obtained in all cases.

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Questions (176)

Dara Calleary

Question:

176. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of all the Gaeltacht allowance payable to civil and public servants; the level of each allowance payable to each category and the monetary level of each allowance together with the total amount payable in 2009, 2010 and 2011. [47476/12]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The total amount of Gaeltacht allowances paid to members of An Garda Síochána was €1,320,871 in 2009; €1,098,987 in 2010 and €1,068,766 in 2011. The allowance for each member is calculated at the rate of 7.5% of the member’s basic pay and does not have a fixed monetary value.

Defence Forces Pardons

Questions (177)

Gerald Nash

Question:

177. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Defence the date on which he will publish legislation to give effect to his recent statement to provide a pardon to members of the Defence Forces who deserted to fight for the Allies in World War II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47068/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The position regarding the legislation is that the Bill is currently being drafted and is expected to be published by the end of November.

Consultancy Contracts

Questions (178)

Barry Cowen

Question:

178. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011. [47073/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

My Department has commissioned one external report since March 2011. On 19th April 2011, I commissioned Mr Frank Callanan, SC, to carry out an independent review into matters relevant to the deaths of Corporal Fintan Heneghan, Private Mannix Armstrong and Private Thomas Walsh on 21st March 1989 while serving with the 64th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL). This report was published on 19th September 2011. The cost of the report was €51,660 including VAT which is awaiting payment.

Defence Forces Family Clinics

Questions (179)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

179. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the number of deaths there have been of serving members of the Defence Forces each year sine 2000; the cause of each death; and the number that were due to suicide. [47113/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I am advised by the military authorities that during the period 01 January 2000 to 23 October 2012, a total of 182 PDF personnel died while in service. The breakdown per annum, is below.

Year	Number of deaths
2000	18
2001	17
2002	12
2003	13
2004	13
2005	12
2006	17
2007	16
2008	11
2009	18
2010	12
2011	13
2012	10
Total	182

I am advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces do not capture data on the number of suicides there have been in the Defence Forces during a specific period of time. Therefore the Defence Forces are not in a position to provide the information requested in relation to death by suicide. All sudden deaths must be reported to the relevant Coroner’s Office. It is a matter for the Coroner to decide whether a post mortem should be conducted and to determine the cause of death.

Defence Forces Family Clinics

Questions (180)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

180. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the number of suicide deaths within the Defence Forces since 2000; the number that were prescribed Lariam at the time or had been in the years prior to their deaths. [47114/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I am advised by the military authorities that during the period 01 January 2000 to 23 October 2012, a total of 182 PDF personnel died while in service. The breakdown per annum, is below.

Year	Number of deaths
2000	18
2001	17
2002	12
2003	13
2004	13
2005	12
2006	17
2007	16
2008	11
2009	18
2010	12
2011	13
2012	10
Total	182

I am advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces do not capture data on the number of suicides there have been in the Defence Forces during a specific period of time. Therefore the Defence Forces are not in a position to provide the information requested in relation to death by suicide. All sudden deaths must be reported to the relevant Coroner’s Office. It is a matter for the Coroner to decide whether a post mortem should be conducted and to determine the cause of death.

Lariam is a malaria chemoprophylactic agent first authorised for use in 1989 by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB), which is the statutory regulatory body charged with regulating the use of medicines, to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines available in Ireland. Research has shown that it is one of the most effective medications for protection against the type of malaria prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. While certain risks associated with the use of the drug were highlighted in Drug Safety Newsletters in 1996 and 2003, the IMB remained of the view that the benefit/risk profile for the product remained acceptable. The IMB continues to review the safety of this and all medicines on an ongoing basis and updates the product information as appropriate. Lariam remains the medication of choice for the Defence Forces for missions to sub-Saharan Africa and continues to be certified by the IMB.

In accordance with best international practice in prescribing Lariam, and taking account of the contra-indications, warnings and side effects highlighted by the IMB, it is the policy of the Defence Forces to screen all personnel for medical suitability. The screening system rules out personnel from overseas service with certain conditions for example depression, anxiety, neurodegenerative disorders, etc., which, as has been indicated by the IMB and other regulatory bodies worldwide, are more likely to precipitate serious adverse reactions to Lariam.

Defence Forces Medicinal Products

Questions (181)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

181. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the persons within the army that were prescribed the 27,392 Doxycycline anti-malaria tablets issued between 2006 and 2012 and not another anti-malaria drug; if rank, unit, health status, duties, age, marital status, and length of time served or prescribing MO determine which anti-malaria tablets were prescribed to whom. [47115/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The military authorities advise that “health status” is the only factor from the list above that is relevant to the determination as to the choice of anti-malaria tablet to be prescribed to personnel in the Defence Forces. A number of other factors must be considered. The choice of chemoprophylaxis medication depends on the risk of malaria in the destination, resistance to particular drugs, the profile of the traveller (contra-indications, underlying health conditions, purpose of travel), the duration of travel and finally adherence issues. Doxycycline is licensed for use by the Irish Medicines Board. It has to be taken in the absence of dairy products. It has a daily dosing regime. It can cause minor but troublesome gastrointestinal side effects in some individuals. It can also produce sun-sensitivity skin rashes (akin to severe sun burn) and this is particularly significant when used in sunny climates. For this reason it is not recommended for first line use by the Defence Forces in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the anti-malaria chemoprophylaxis of first choice by the Defence Forces in some geographic regions, for example Afghanistan.

By way of clarification, the figure of 27,392 Doxycycline tables referred to, relates to the number of Doxycycline tablets purchased by the Brigade Medical Services since 2006 and not to the number of tablets issued to Defence Forces personnel. As indicated in my written response to an earlier Parliamentary Question on the matter from the Deputy, information is being compiled on the number of Doxycycline tablets issued and I will forward this collated information to the Deputy when it becomes available.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (182)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

182. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the full cost to the Exchequer in the previous 12 months for his Department staff attending conferences including registration fees and travel. [47146/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Expenditure in relation to staff attending Conferences from 1/10/2011 to 30/09/2012 amounted to €8,974.92. This amount comprises €7,247.74 registration fees and €1,727.18 reimbursement of travel and subsistence payments.

Departmental Staff Promotions

Questions (183)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

183. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff members of his Department that have been awarded internal promotions and or additional acting up or temporary allowances to perform more senior roles since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades involved; the pre-promotion temporary acting and post promotion temporaryacting pay scales; the total increase in salary payments to each staff member involved; the duration of assignments; the area to which each person was assigned; the business reasons supporting any such decision; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47161/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

It has not been possible in the time available to compile all the necessary information requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Questions (184, 185)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

184. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff members from his Department that have been temporarily and or permanently redeployed to other Government Departments or agencies since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades and pay scales of same; the total amount of savings achieved in salary payments in respect of the persons concerned; the duration of assignments; the business reasons supporting the redeployment of staff; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47177/12]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

185. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the number of staff members that have been temporarily and or permanently redeployed to his Department from other Government Departments or agencies since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades and pay scales involved; the total increase in salary payments for his Department in respect of the persons concerned; the duration of assignments; the area to which each person was assigned; the business reasons supporting the redeployment of staff; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47192/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.

The Government’s National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 sets out revised ceilings for public service staff numbers which are to be achieved through the implementation of Employment Control Frameworks as part of the Four Year National Recovery Plan. Since March 2009, 15 civil service staff of my Department have been permanently redeployed to other Government Departments through bilateral arrangements. These redeployments arose due to surplus posts being identified as a result of rationalisation and restructuring of business processes. Details of the grades, payscales and average savings are set out in the tabular statement below.

Grade	Number of Staff Redeployed	Salary Scale	Average Annual Saving Per Person
Services Attendant	1	€20,806 - €27,376	€24,000
Clerical Officer	11	€22,015 - €35,515 €23,177 - €37,341 (PPC*)	€29,700
Staff Officer	1	€33,070 -€43,906	€38,500
Executive Officer	2	€29,024 - €45,616	€37,300

(*Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) rates apply where officers were employed since 6th April 1995, pay class A rate PRSI and make a personal pension contribution.)

Under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, the Public Appointments Service operates a system of Resource Panels for the Civil Service and State Bodies to support redeployment within and between these sectors. One staff member has been redeployed to my Department from another Government Department/Agency since March 2009 through this redeployment mechanism, in order to fill a critical post which became vacant, and for which sanction was granted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This redeployment has not given rise to an increase in salary payments as it does not represent the creation of an additional post in my Department.

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Questions (186)

Dara Calleary

Question:

186. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of all the Gaeltacht allowance payable to civil and public servants; the level of each allowance payable to each category and the monetary level of each allowance together with the total amount payable in 2009, 2010 and 2011. [47473/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

There is no Gaeltacht allowance payable to staff of my Department or the Defence Forces, and no such allowance has been paid in the timeframe outlined by the Deputy.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Questions (187)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

187. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for derogation under the disadvantaged area scheme will be reviewed in respect of a person (details provided) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46861/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

While the person named applied for derogation under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the application was unsuccessful. The person named was informed accordingly by letter dated 15 October and was also advised of his right of appeal to the recently established, independently chaired, DAS Appeals Committee.