Written Answers Nos. 757-772
757. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the reason a business (details supplied) in County Galway lost its public contract; if the company should have been entitled to prior notification of losing the contract; the reason it was not made aware of the public tender prior to the new company being granted the tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26895/13]
View answerThe Defence Forces are obliged to carry out all procurement competitions in an open and transparent manner and in line with National and EU Public Procurement legislation. The Defence Forces have absolutely no discretion in this regard. The military authorities have advised me that a tender competition for the supply of laundry services for the Defence Forces in Dún Uí Mhaoiliosa, Galway was published on the etenders website on 25 February 2013, with a closing date of 18 April 2013 for receipt of tenders. The previous contract had run its full term and was due to end on 25 May 2013.
The company which held this previous contract did not submit a tender for the new contract.
The contract award for the new contract was made by the Defence Forces on 13 May 2013 and the new contract for supply of services commenced on 27 May 2013.
758. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will cite the provisions of the Defence Acts by which the Defence Forces are deployed in aid of the civil authority; if he will specify the distinction, if any, between civil authority and the civil power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27270/13]
View answerThe involvement of the Defence Forces in responding to emergencies or security issues arises from requests for assistance from An Garda Síochána in an Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) role or from other agencies of the State in an Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role. In relation to security, primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with An Garda Síochána. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2000) is to provide ATCP which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. A wide variety of military training activities are specifically designed to counter or respond to possible security emergencies and the Defence Forces hold regular coordination and liaison meetings with An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues. The basis for the provision for ATCA is the Government approval of the Framework for Major Emergency Management which sets out the structure for enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to prepare for, and make a coordinated response to, major emergencies and the Defence Forces respond within that Framework. Representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both my Department and the Defence Forces, also ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency.
759. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence in relation to the reassignment process for Reserve Defence Force, the number of applications that were initially received by the two boards; the number of these who opted to be discharged; the number of officers who opted to resign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27271/13]
View answer760. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 455 and 456 of 30 April 2013, the reason the process was not completed by 3 March 2013 as advised to the Reserve Defence Force; the reason the numbers who opted to be discharged or resign and the number of non-effectives who were not to be reassigned is not readily available as these were not entitled to appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27272/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 759 and 760 together.
In relation to the questions above regarding the reason the process was not completed by 3 March 2013 as advised to the Reserve Defence Force, the position is that Phase 1, the Preparatory Stage, was encompassed by the period up to the end of March 2013. During this stage, training in the Reserve was limited to unarmed training while preparations were made to provide the regulatory provisions for the new organisational structures and to allow personnel to apply for positions within these new structures. A revised Regulation, CS 4, was signed on 11 March 2013 and a new Administrative Instruction dealing with both the PDF and the RDF was signed by the Chief of Staff, also on 11 March. The new organisational structure came into effect on 31 March 2013.
Phase 2, which is the Implementation Phase, is currently being progressed and will extend to 30 September 2013.
The Military Authorities have advised that it is not possible, within the time available, to compile the necessary data in order to fully answer the questions in relation to the reassignment process for the Reserve Defence Force, the number of applications that were initially received by the two boards, the number of these who opted to be discharged and the number of officers who opted to resign.
In this regard I will revert with a complete answer at the earliest possible opportunity.
In order to ensure that any member of the Reserve who wished to appeal their assignment was afforded that opportunity, the last date for submitting an appeal was extended to 24 May 2013. As some members, following the outcome of the appeals process, may still choose to resign, definitive details of the total number opting to resign or to be discharged are still evolving. In addition, it will not be possible to determine until later in the process the total number of individuals who fall into the category of non-effective members of the Reserve, as it will only be with time that it will become apparent the total number of Reservists who will remain active, or not, in their re-assigned appointments.
Every effort was made to contact the maximum number of members of the Reserve in order to offer them the opportunity to indicate their preferred appointment within the new organisational structure. Many members who had not been effective for considerable periods of time may not have received this correspondence as they had not provided the organisation with current contact details. Confirmation of the numbers who did not respond will be included when providing the information mentioned above.
761. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if there is an Air Corps Reserve similar to that of the Reserve Defence Forces and the Naval Service Reserve as part of the make up of the Irish Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27306/13]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. There is no Air Corps Reserve similar to the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve. However, former members of the Air Corps may serve as members of the First Line Reserve. As shown in the tabular statement set out below, at the end of April 2013, (the last date for which figures are available) there were 18 members of the First Line Reserve (FLR) who served previously with the Air Corps. Reservists who previously served with the Air Corps are attached to Air Corps Units for administrative purposes.
Strength of the First line Reserve
|
Formation |
Officers |
NCO |
Private |
Total |
|
Army |
31 |
13 |
119 |
163 |
|
Air Corps |
11 |
7 |
18 |
|
|
Naval Service |
30 |
9 |
37 |
76 |
|
Total |
72 |
22 |
163 |
257 |
762. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence the amount paid to private security firms for provision of services by his Department in each year from 2009 to 2012; if he will indicate at which barracks, if any, security services were provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26754/13]
View answerBecause of a number of incidents of robbery and vandalism my Department has been obliged to put security arrangements in place to protect closed barracks from further damage. The costs incurred in the years 2009 to 2012 are as follows:
|
Year |
Location(s) |
Amount € |
|
2009 |
Longford, Monaghan, Kildare, Lifford Barracks, Rockhill House |
26,656.87 |
|
2010 |
Rockhill House |
86,803.38 |
|
2011 |
Rockhill House |
84,657.09 |
|
2012 |
Clonmel, Cavan, Mullingar Barracks and Rockhill House |
200,534.30 |
The effectiveness of the security measures currently in place are monitored on a continuous basis with a view to minimising the cost while at the same time protecting the premises involved and I am satisfied that the arrangements are warranted.
763. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 22 May 2013 regarding the decommissioning of LE Emer and LE Aoife and the recently sought expressions of interest from qualified persons who could assist his Department, if he will outline the number of expressions of interest received; if he will provide a breakdown of the figures into different categories such as individuals, interest groups, lobby groups and so forth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26957/13]
View answerThe closing date for the receipt of expressions of interest from qualified persons who could assist the Department with the sale of the two ships was Thursday 23 May 2013. A number of such expressions of interest were received and are under consideration in the Department at present. Given that the process is ongoing, I am not in a position to give further details in the matter at this stage.
764. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who remain in the Defence Forces having joined under the 1994 personnel model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27402/13]
View answerA total of 5189 personnel who enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force in the period since 1 January 1994 remain serving today. A detailed breakdown of these personnel based on their rank is contained in the table.
Current rank of serving personnel who enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force on or after 01/01/1994
|
RANK |
PERS |
|
Company Sergeant/Battalion Sergeant |
10 |
|
Company Quartermaster Sergeant |
14 |
|
Sergeant |
463 |
|
Corporal |
1168 |
|
Private 3* |
3037 |
|
Private 2* |
474 |
|
Apprentice |
23 |
765. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is eligible for a UN disability pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27465/13]
View answerThe person in question left the Defence Forces at his own request in May 1988. On leaving, he was granted a short-service gratuity under the Defence Forces Pensions Schemes in respect of his military service. He applied for and was subsequently granted a disability pension under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of various injuries he sustained in a road traffic accident while on United Nations duty in Lebanon in June 1984. His disability pension, which is exempt from income tax, was granted by the Department on the basis that those injuries were found on investigation by the Army Pensions Board (the relevant independent statutory body in such cases) to be attributable to his overseas service with the United Nations. An award by the Army Pensions Board is the only means, other than litigation, by which retired personnel of the Defence Forces are provided with compensation for any injury sustained in service in the Defence Forces. Such Disability Pensions are paid by the Department of Defence and not by the United Nations. I should mention that the person in question also received compensation in 1987 in settlement of a civil action against my Department in respect of his injuries sustained while serving overseas.
766. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the work his Department is currently undertaking on various pieces of upcoming legislation, through a potential Bill to go through the Houses of the Oireachtas or through statutory instrument, to ensure Ireland is in compliance with the upcoming deadlines of Directives from the European Union; the deadline in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27471/13]
View answerThere are currently no Directives pertaining to my Department which require legislation.
767. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the engagements of the Irish Defence Forces chief of staff on his recent visit to Lithuania; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27492/13]
View answerThe official visit of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán McCann, to Lithuania was conducted during the period 28 May to 01 June 2013, in the context of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union as part of the 18 month "Trio Programme" of Ireland, Lithuania and Greece. In preparation for the hand-over of the Presidency in July 2013 and continued Irish support to the Lithuanian Presidency, key discussions were held with the Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr Juozas Olekas, the Irish Ambassador to Lithuania, Ms Philomena Murnaghan, Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius, Commander of the Land Forces, Major General Almantas Leika, Commander in Chief of Lithuanian Navy, Rear Admiral Macijauskas, and Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force Major General, Edvardas Mažeikis. The Chief of Staff was accompanied on the visit by Colonel Michael Meehan, Director of Strategic Planning and his Personal Staff Officer, Lt. Colonel Tom O’Callaghan. The theme of Common Security and Defence Policy was high on the agenda as July will mark the first time Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Ireland’s experience in hosting the Presidency was discussed in order to facilitate preparations for the Lithuanian hand-over. The Chief of Staff was briefed on defence issues which I prioritised for our Presidency and the progress made in these areas. The outcome of the meetings and seminars held during the Irish Presidency, which were utilised as an opportunity to progress the development of the Common Security and Defence Policy agenda, were also discussed.
During the visit, joint areas of interest were discussed with Lithuania, seeking to learn from Ireland’s long standing commitment to United Nations Peace Support Operations. The Chief of Staff also discussed Ireland’s overseas engagements in missions led by the EU, UN and NATO. Lithuania also expressed an interest in hearing about Ireland’s expertise in Counter Improvised Explosive Devices.
Discussions also focused on Maritime issues, in particular Ireland and Lithuania’s involvement in the European Defence Agencies Maritime Surveillance project, which involves the pooling and sharing of defence maritime information by 16 participating Member States.
During the official visit, tours and briefs of the headquarters of the Lithuanian Land Force, Air Force and Navy, Search and Rescue units and various other elements of the Lithuanian Armed Forces were undertaken.
768. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the future of the Emergency Aeromedical Service that has been in operation for just over 12 months having completed its initial trial period, basing an Irish Air Corp EC135 helicopter at Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath; if discussions have taken place between his officials and those in the Department of Health to extend the service, based on an initial 12 month test period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27661/13]
View answer771. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence when the review of the Air Corps air ambulance service will be completed; the total number of missions completed to date; if he will provide a breakdown of the type of patient transported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27904/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 768 and 771 together.
A 12 month pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service established in order to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated aeronautical support needed to assist the National Ambulance Service, primarily in the West of Ireland, commenced operations on the 4 June 2012. Following a recent request from my colleague the Minister for Health, I have now agreed to extend the Air Corps’ participation in the pilot for a period of up to three months in order to allow him to give consideration to a Report on the review of the pilot which is currently being finalised by an inter-service audit and evaluation group. There were 245 EAS missions completed by the Air Corps up to the 31 May 2013. In addition, I understand that since August 2012 the Irish Coast Guard has carried out in the region of 40 EAS missions, using their fleet of Search and Rescue helicopters.
The EAS service was established in order to support the HSE Clinical Care Programmes such as Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stroke. However, the service has also assisted in providing rapid patient transfer to an appropriate medical facility in a range of other time-critical cases.
769. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence forces will be disposing of 4x2 TCV Man vehicles or EOD 4x2 vehicles in the coming year; if he will consider giving it to the Irish UN history group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27767/13]
View answerAs military vehicles near the end of their operational life, a board of survey is convened in accordance with the relevant Defence Force regulations to determine whether the vehicles are serviceable, repairable, obsolete, or surplus to military requirements.
At present there are a small number of 4x2 troop carrying vehicles that are expected to come to the end of their operational life in the fourth quarter of 2013. At that stage, a decision will be made by a board of survey regarding the future of these vehicles. In advance of the recommendations of a board of survey, it is not possible to confirm if the 4x2 troop carrying vehicles will be disposed of. There are currently no explosive ordnance disposal vehicles either being disposed of or under review by a board of survey.
770. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence when did the Army last recruit; the number that were taken on; when the Army will be recruiting again; approximately the number that will be taken on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27807/13]
View answerI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 April 2013, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,163 comprising 7,355 Army, 780 Air Corps and 1,028 Naval Service personnel. This is against the stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. In this context it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. Following on from the last General Service recruitment campaign in 2012 a total of 539 General Service recruits were enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force, of which 418 were enlisted in the Army, and 121 in the Naval Service. It is intended that further general service recruitment will take place from the existing competition panels in the Autumn. A decision on exact numbers to be taken in has not been made at this time and will depend on available resources, training capacity and vacancies.
A recruitment competition for the intake of Cadets was recently advertised, the closing date for which was 26 May 2013. It is planned to take in 33 Cadets from this Cadetship competition in 2013.
With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, I intend to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.
772. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 320 of 7 May 2013, if the outstanding recommendations have been implemented; if not, the timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27905/13]
View answerThe AAIU report contained seven safety recommendations of which five related to the Air Corps. As previously stated two of these were implemented prior to the publication of the report. A further recommendation has since been implemented by the Air Corps and the remaining two are in the process of being implemented.
