Written Answers Nos. 36-54
36. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Defence if he will meet with the parents of a person (details supplied) to discuss their ongoing concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of their son; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29092/13]
View answerI would firstly like to extend my sympathies to the families of the deceased.I have been in correspondence with the family on the matter. Officials from my office met with them as recently as 16 May last. The family have supplied me with information in relation to their concerns. This information has been examined by officials in my Department and I have now sought further legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General. When this advice is received I will be in a position to consider the matter further.
37. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the procurement of new equipment for the Irish Defence Forces in 2013. [29120/13]
View answerThe acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence. However, it is imperative that the Department and the Defence Forces, similar to all other Government Departments, must take into account the current difficult economic environment we are now operating in. The budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment and upgrades. Decisions will be made accordingly on a strictly prioritised basis with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by Government to the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. A particular focus is maintained in ensuring that modern and effective equipment is available for overseas peace support operations. In this regard, the personal equipment, which the individual soldier has at his/her disposal in Lebanon and on other overseas missions is second to none and compares very favourably with the equipment in use by other countries.
Investment in new equipment and upgrading of existing equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various subheads of the Defence Vote relating to Defensive Equipment, Transport, Aircraft, Naval Service Ships and Stores and Communications and Information Technology Equipment.
I am advised that the provision allocated in 2013 specifically for the purchase of defensive equipment and ammunition is €26.5m. This allows for the acquisition of a range of priority defensive equipment and munitions such as Force Protection Equipment, a new Ground Surveillance Radar system, a replacement programme for the 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun and the continued implementation of a Rifle Enhancement Programme for the Steyr Rifle which has been in service for nearly 25 years.
The Rifle upgrade programme is a multi annual programme which represents one of the most significant investments the Government is making in terms of the impact it will have on Defence Forces personnel at the coal face. The project is currently the subject of a number of tender competitions, the results of which will dictate the value of the programme going forward. The provision for 2013 also provides for the upgrade and refurbishment programme of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal HOBO robots. This is one of the most important current programmes for the Defence organisation given the increased levels of call outs witnessed in recent years by the Defence Forces.
With regard to the Naval Service, my Department, in conjunction with the Naval Service, is overseeing the acquisition of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels. The construction of the first ship is well advanced and is scheduled for delivery in early 2014. The second ship will follow one year later.
I am satisfied that the level of resources and equipment available to the Defence Forces enables the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas in an efficient and effective manner.
40. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence when the army will next recruit; and the approximate number that will be recruited. [29113/13]
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. 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 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.
41. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence when Irish Defence Forces personnel will be withdrawn from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29124/13]
View answerOn 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. On 9 October 2012, the UN Security Council extended ISAF’s mandate for a further year until October 2013. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. The continued participation by seven (7) members of the Permanent Defence Force in ISAF is reviewed annually by the Government.I will shortly bring proposals to Government to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with ISAF for a further period from July 2013, subject to ongoing review. ISAF has a current strength of approximately 99,590 personnel drawn from 48 Countries. In March 2011, the transition process whereby the Afghan security forces would gradually take on more security responsibility from ISAF was launched.
As of 31 December 2012, twenty-three (23) of the thirty-four (34) Afghan provinces are fully in transition. This process is due to be completed at the end of 2014, when ISAF’s mission will end. NATO will then lead a follow-on mission to continue to support the development of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) capacity.
Planning for the withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel from the mission will be coordinated within the context of the overall ISAF drawdown plan.
42. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the internal investigation conducted by the Defence Forces into allegations about Irish Defence Forces' personnel working for private security companies and purchasing arms on the black market in South Africa and training special forces in the Seychelles in 2007. [28963/13]
View answerThe military authorities completed an investigation into these allegations in 2010 and the Chief of Staff reported to the Minister for Defence at that time in this regard. The Chief of Staff confirmed that of the five personnel against whom allegations were made, two were then serving as members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), and three were former members.
The investigation found no evidence to support the suggestion that Defence Forces equipment was utilised in any of the alleged activities, nor was there any evidence found of any illegal arms purchase or sales. In addition, the investigation found that Defence Forces Regulations were not breached.
During the course of the investigation the Minister for Defence at that time received a letter from the Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Staff received a letter from the Seychelles Chief of Defence. Both of these letters indicated that any arms purchased for their State forces was fully legitimate and are in service by authorised Seychelles Government security personnel. In addition, the letters confirmed that Irish Defence Forces personnel only provided and facilitated lawful services for the Government of the Seychelles and in doing so made a significant contribution to the welfare and safety of the country. The letters also indicated that the character of Irish personnel who assisted in training their State police force were of the highest order.
While the investigation found that Defence Force regulations had not been breached, having considered the report, the Chief of Staff concluded that because of the nature of the specialist training required for certain military employments, it may not be compatible with service in the PDF for such training and skills to be employed outside of the PDF.
In this context the Chief of Staff updated the Defence Forces policy on off-duty employment to provide, inter alia, that certain PDF personnel cannot undertake off duty employment that utilises the military training they acquire as part of their service in the PDF.
43. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the planned developments at Custume barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29071/13]
View answerThe Department is engaged in an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Under this programme there has been considerable capital investment at Custume Barracks, Athlone in recent years. The most recent major projects undertaken include the construction of Armoured Vehicle Garaging facilities, a Gymnasium and an upgrading of gas and water main facilities including the provision of new underground services and associated works. In addition to the major capital projects as outlined above, there are ongoing works required to ensure the upkeep and repair of buildings. In this regard, it is expected that works projects totalling some €1m will be finalised in 2013. Examples include the repair and upgrading of the heating system in the Dining Hall, and the upgrade of Accommodation Blocks ‘K’ and ‘I’ in order to accommodate personnel relocated from other barracks, under the barrack consolidation programme.
By the end of the year, it is expected that in excess of €4.8 million will have been invested on capital projects at Custume Barracks, Athlone since 2009.
45. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Defence if he will list the delegations of Irish troops stationed abroad. [29118/13]
View answerAs of 15 June 2013, Ireland is contributing approximately 445 Defence Forces personnel to 12 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement attached. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 361 personnel, including the Deputy Force Commander; the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia with 11 personnel, including the Mission Commander; the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with 8 personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with 7 personnel; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 12 personnel; and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with 7 personnel. Ireland also contributes 23 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and 16 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.
On 14 May 2013, the Government approved the deployment of a number of members of the Permanent Defence Force for service at the headquarters of UNDOF. Irish personnel are due to deploy into the mission area circa 19 June 2013.
The current contribution of some 445 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.
|
Members of the Permanent Defence Force Serving Overseas as of 15th June 2013 |
||
|
1 |
UN Missions |
|
|
(i) |
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ UNIFIL 108th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL Sector West HQ |
16 337 8 |
|
(ii) |
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) – Israel, Syria and Lebanon |
12 |
|
(iii) |
MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) |
3 |
|
(iv) |
MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
3 |
|
(v) |
UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast) |
2 |
|
TOTAL |
381 |
|
|
UN Mandated Missions |
||
|
(vii) |
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
7 |
|
(viii) |
EUTM Somalia (EU-led Training Mission in Uganda) |
11 |
|
(ix) |
EUTM Mali (EU-Led Training Mission) |
8 |
|
(x) |
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) – HQ |
12 |
|
(xi) |
ISAF (International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan) |
7 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
426 |
|
|
2 |
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) |
|
|
(i) |
OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina |
2 |
|
(ii) |
OSCE Mission in Belgrade - Serbia |
1 |
|
(iii) |
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING OSCE |
4 |
|
|
3 |
EU Military Staff |
|
|
Brussels |
4 |
|
|
4 |
Military Representatives/Advisers/Staff |
|
|
(i) |
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
1 |
|
(ii) |
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
(iii) |
Military Representative to EU (Brussels) |
5 |
|
(iv) |
Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) |
2 |
|
(v) |
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
(vi) |
European Defence Agency (EDA) Brussels |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
445 |
46. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the selling off of disused barracks or other properties belonging to the Irish Defence Forces in 2013. [29119/13]
View answerThe Defence property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. As the Deputy is aware the Department has been engaged on an ongoing programme of barrack consolidation since 1998. This programme has brought to fourteen the number of barracks closed during that time. To-date nine of these barracks - Clancy (Dublin), Castleblaney, Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Monaghan, Cavan, Castlebar and a large portion of Longford - have been sold. In relation to the remaining barracks agreement has been reached for the sale of Lifford and Rockhill to Donegal County Council. Discussions are ongoing in relation to the possible sale of Clonmel Barracks to South Tipperary County Council and the remaining part of Longford has been reserved by the OPW for the local Garda Síochána.
Magee Barracks in Kildare and Columb Barracks in Mullingar remain the property of the Department of Defence.
In addition to the main barracks a number of other smaller properties have also been identified as surplus to military requirements. Some of these have already been disposed of whilst others are in the process of being prepared for disposal. These mainly consist of married quarters and Reserve Defence Force premises. Earlier this year as part of the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force a number of additional properties became surplus to requirements. In accordance with normal procedure for the disposal of State property my Department has invited Government Departments and other Public Bodies to identify any interest in those properties. If no interest is expressed by any other Government Department or State Agency the properties will be disposed of by public tender/auction.
47. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the number of complaints processed by the Defence Forces Ombudsman; and if he is satisfied with the operation of the system. [28964/13]
View answerStatistics, including the number of complaints processed and investigated by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF) each year, are published in the Ombudsman’s annual reports. Copies of these reports are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and are also publicly available on the Ombudsman’s website www.odf.ie. The latest annual report published by the ODF is in respect of 2011. The 2012 report is awaiting publication. I am advised by the office of the ODF that from 1 December 2005, the date when the operational functions of the ODF commenced, to 31 December 2011, some 752 directly referred complaints and notifications on complaints made under section 114 of the Defence Act 1954, as amended, have been processed by the office of the ODF. Of this number some 241 complaints proceeded to a full formal investigation.
I am satisfied that the system is working well. Since the establishment of the office of the ODF a number of administrative and systemic issues have been identified and addressed which has contributed to improvements in procedures and policies within the Defence Forces and this work is ongoing. I welcome the fact that more redress cases are now being resolved at an early stage by the military authorities without the need for referral to the ODF. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of cases being referred to the ODF in recent years which is a positive development.
49. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Taoiseach the number of people who are unemployed in County Louth; if he will provide a breakdown of long term unemployed, seasonal unemployment and short term unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29262/13]
View answerThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment in the State. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable county level estimates from the QNHS. The Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of persons claiming Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance and Other Registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection.
The Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers (those who work up to three days a week), and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance. However as it is a register rather than a sample survey County level totals are available from the Live Register.
Table 1 below shows the number of persons on the Live Register in County Louth classified by Social Welfare Local Office for May 2013, the most recent figures available.
Table 1-Total persons on the Live Register classified by Social Welfare Local Office, County Louth, May 2013
|
May 2013 |
|
|
Ardee |
2,198 |
|
Drogheda |
7,623 |
|
Dundalk |
7,026 |
|
Total persons |
16,847 |
Live Register, Central Statistics Office
Table 2 below provides a breakdown of the Live Register for County Louth classified by Social Welfare Local Office and duration of continuous registration for October 2012, the latest published figures available for this breakdown.
Table 2-Total persons on the Live Register by Social Welfare Local Office and duration of continuous registration, County Louth, October 2012
|
Less than one year |
One year or more |
Total |
|
|
Ardee |
1,218 |
1,005 |
2,223 |
|
Drogheda |
4,361 |
3,352 |
7,713 |
|
Dundalk |
3,612 |
3,239 |
6,851 |
|
Total persons |
9,191 |
7,596 |
16,787 |
Live Register, Central Statistics Office
50. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the latest figures for youth unemployment by county; the percentage of youth unemployment by county and by European recognised region, that is, Border, Midlands and West; his views on the way in which the State-wide figure compares with the current levels of youth unemployment across the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29321/13]
View answerThe Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment in the State. Estimates of unemployment are produced at NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 Region level. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable county level estimates from the QNHS.
The Q1 2013 estimates are the most recent QNHS figures available.
Table 1 shows the number of unemployed (ILO) persons aged 15 to 24 years of age classified by NUTS 2 and NUTS3 Region for Q1 2013.
Table 1-Unemployed (ILO) persons aged 15 to 24 years classified by NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 Region.
'000
|
Region |
Jan- |
|
Mar 13 |
|
|
Border, Midland and Western |
16.0 |
|
Border |
6.6 |
|
Midland |
4.3 |
|
West |
5.1 |
|
Southern and Eastern |
37.8 |
|
Dublin |
12.6 |
|
Mid-East |
6.3 |
|
Mid-West |
5.4 |
|
South-East |
7.7 |
|
South-West |
5.7 |
|
State |
53.8 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change:
Reference period q1=Jan-Mar:
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office:
Table 2 shows the unemployment rates (ILO) of persons aged 15 to 24 years of age classified by NUTS 2 and NUTS3 Region for Q1 2013.
Table 2-Unemployment rates (ILO) of persons aged 15 to 24 years classified by NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 Region
%
|
Region |
Jan- |
|
Mar 13 |
|
|
Border, Midland and West |
29.4 |
|
Border |
31.9 |
|
Midland |
31.3 |
|
West |
25.5 |
|
Southern and Eastern |
25.7 |
|
Dublin |
22.9 |
|
Mid-East |
26.0 |
|
Mid-West |
37.3 |
|
South-East |
33.8 |
|
South-West |
18.7 |
|
State |
26.7 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change:
Reference period q1=Jan-Mar:
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office:
Table 3 shows the annual unemployment rates (ILO) of persons less than 25 years of age in the EU27 member states for 2012.
Table 3- Annual unemployment rates (ILO) of persons less than 25 years in the EU 27 member states, 2012
%
|
EU (27 countries) |
22.8 |
|
Belgium |
19.8 |
|
Bulgaria |
28.1 |
|
Czech Republic |
19.5 |
|
Denmark |
14.1 |
|
Germany |
8.1 |
|
Estonia |
20.9 |
|
Ireland |
30.4 |
|
Greece |
55.3 |
|
Spain |
53.2 |
|
France |
24.3 |
|
Italy |
35.3 |
|
Cyprus |
27.8 |
|
Latvia |
28.4 |
|
Lithuania |
26.4 |
|
Luxembourg |
18.1 |
|
Hungary |
28.1 |
|
Malta |
14.2 |
|
Netherlands |
9.5 |
|
Austria |
8.7 |
|
Poland |
26.5 |
|
Portugal |
37.7 |
|
Romania |
22.7 |
|
Slovenia |
20.6 |
|
Slovakia |
34.0 |
|
Finland |
19.0 |
|
Sweden |
23.7 |
|
United Kingdom |
21.0 |
Source : Eurostat
51. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach if he will set out the value for money reports and the focused policy assessments carried out within his Department since March 2011; the action that has been taken to implement such reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28712/13]
View answerThe National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only State Agency under the aegis of my Department. The NESDO was established under the NESDO Act 2006 and is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC).
NESDO/NESC was one of the organisations to be critically reviewed as part of the programme of rationalisation of State agencies, announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 17 November 2011. My Department carried out the review.
The review concluded that NESDO was no longer required and should be dissolved and that the NESC should be maintained as the statutory body. These arrangements are in hand in my Department.
52. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach if he will detail in tabular form, the names of all external public relations, communications consultants and organisations used by his Department since 9 March 2011; the details of the services supplied by each; the expenditure on each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28818/13]
View answerThe following table provides details of all external public relations, communications consultants and organisations used by my Department since 9 March 2011, the service provided and the total cost of each service.
|
Year |
Supplier Name |
Service Provided |
Total Cost |
|
2012 |
Caroline Erskine |
EU Communication Advisory Service |
€ 25,830 |
|
2013 |
Caroline Erskine |
EU Communication Advisory Service |
€ 30,553 |
53. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his bilateral meeting with the President and Prime Minister of Lithuania; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28961/13]
View answerI visited Vilnius on 6 June for meetings with President Dalia Grybauskait and Prime Minister Algirdas Butkeviius in advance of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union which begins on 1 July.
Our meetings provided the opportunity to review issues currently under consideration which will continue to be active over the coming six months, as well as to discuss the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency. We also looked ahead to the June European Council which will focus on the jobs and growth agenda, and prospects for strengthening EMU including progress on banking union.
Among the other topics discussed included the proposed EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the Multi-annual Financial Framework for 2014-2020, Eastern Partnership and energy security.
54. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the bilateral meetings that he attended in Finland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28962/13]
View answerI travelled to Helsinki on 7 June for bilateral meetings with President Niinisto and Prime Minister Katainen.
Discussions in my meeting with President Niinisto focussed on Syria; Russia; the Eastern Partnership; and bilateral relations between Ireland and Finland. We also discussed the economic situation in Europe and I updated President Niinisto on Ireland's economic recovery.
Discussion in my meeting with Prime Minister Katainen focussed on economic matters, including Ireland's economic recovery; preparations for the June European Council; the Multi-annual Financial Framework; and the ambitions for the remaining part of the Irish Presidency. We agreed the urgent need to tackle unemployment and to ensure financing to the SME sector.
