Written Answers Nos. 594-609
594. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence in respect of each State agency and commercial State company under the aegis of his Department, if he will provide details of the name of each pension scheme; details of the salary percentage contributions made by the employer and the employees; the latest information on the funding position of the scheme; if any changes are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36369/13]
View answerThe only body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. A member of staff of my Department is assigned to carry out the functions of Secretary to the Board. The holder of this position is an established civil servant. It is a condition of service that all officers over age 16 on becoming established Civil Servants are automatically included in the Non-Contributory Civil Service Main Superannuation Scheme and the associated Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme for established Civil Servants. Scheme benefits are payable from monies voted by the Oireachtas to Vote 7 – Superannuation and Retired Allowances.
595. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the number of miles claimed for and the amount of travel expenses paid to him and each Minister of State in his Department in respect of their functions as a Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36384/13]
View answerIn accordance with Government Decision of 15 March 2011, I retain a State car and Garda drivers in my capacity as the Minister for Justice and Equality. The cost of this service is funded from the Vote for an Garda Síochána. Any mileage and car related expenses due to the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D., are met by the Department of the Taoiseach.
596. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the number of amendments to legislation he proposed during Committee and Report Stages in Seanad Éireann in 2012; if he will provide in tabular form the number of his amendments accepted; and if he will indicate in tabular form the number of amendments accepted from Members of the Seanad, broken down by Senator. [36433/13]
View answerIn respect of the Civil Defence Act 2012 there were no amendments in its progression through Seanad Éireann.
597. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the staffing levels of the private offices and constituency offices of Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department; the salary of each; the same figures for this time in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36497/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows.
Private Office Minister for Defence June 2013
|
Grade/Position |
No. |
Current Salary Scale |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
Higher Executive Officer standard scale €43,816 - €55,415 (includes long service increments) |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
Executive Officer PPC scale €30,516 - €47,975 (includes long service increments) |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
Staff Officer €33,070 - €43,906 (includes long service increments) |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
Clerical Officer PPC scale €23,177 - €37,341 (includes long service increments) |
Private Office Minister for Defence June 2011
|
Grade/Position |
No. |
Current Salary Scale |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
Higher Executive Officer standard scale €43,816 - €55,415 (includes long service increments) |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
Executive Officer standard scale €29,024 - €45,616 (includes long service increments) |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
Staff Officer €33,070 - €43,906 (includes long service increments) |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
Clerical Officer PPC scale €23,177 - €37,341 (includes long service increments) |
Constituency Office Minister for Defence
|
Grade/Position |
No. |
Current Salary Scale |
|
Personal Assistant (Non-established) |
1 |
Personal Assistant Scale €43,715 - €56,060 (includes long service increments) |
My constituency office is based at the Department of Justice and Equality. As Minister for Defence I did not engage any constituency staff until August 2011, when I engaged a personal assistant as set out above.
Prior to my taking office in March 2011, the Private Office for the Minister for Defence had a staffing complement of 2 special advisors and 4 civil servants, and the Constituency Office had 8 staff.
The Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D. has one Higher Executive Officer (Standard Scale) assigned as Private Secretary to his Department of Defence Private Office. The Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale is €43,816 - €55,415 (including long service increments). The Minister of State does not have any staff from the Department of Defence in his constituency office. These figures are unchanged since June 2011.
The Higher Executive Officers assigned to my Private Office and to the Private Office of the Minister of State are also in receipt of a Private Secretary allowance of €19,653 per annum, in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines. My Private Office is responsible for providing administrative support to me in my capacity as Minister for Defence, including Government business and Cabinet papers, Parliamentary Questions, representations and managing correspondence from throughout the State and elsewhere, coordinating my diary and handling queries from members of the general public.
598. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide the saving to the Exchequer if the pay of all his special advisers and those of his Ministers of State were capped at the first point on the principal officer pay scale. [36512/13]
View answerI have not appointed any special advisers in my role as Minister for Defence. I have engaged the services of a personal assistant who assists me in constituency matters. The annual salary attached to this post is €56,060 which is below the first point of the Principal pay scale.
599. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of women in the Defence Forces; the extent to which this number has fluctuated in the last five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36599/13]
View answerThe following table sets out the number of women serving in the Permanent Defence Force at 31 December for each of the years 2008 to 2012, and at 30 June 2013, the latest date for which figures are available. These figures show that at 30 June 2013 there were a total of 561 women serving in the Permanent Defence Force, a figure which equates to 6.17% of the overall strength of the Permanent Defence Force on that date. This compares favourably with a figure of 5.48% of women serving in the Permanent Defence Force on 31 December 2008. The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. All promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit.
The Defence Forces prides itself on providing a gender neutral working environment. Policies on equality are being constantly communicated to all ranks. The military authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing this matter in a continuing and proactive manner.
|
Date |
Total Number of Women Serving |
|
31 December 2008 |
570 |
|
31 December 2009 |
567 |
|
31 December 2010 |
569 |
|
31 December 2011 |
565 |
|
31 December 2012 |
582 |
|
30 June 2013 |
561 |
600. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of women who have received promotion in the Defence Forces, at all ranks, in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36600/13]
View answer601. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of women who have been promoted to senior positions within the Defence Forces in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36601/13]
View answer602. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of promotions, male and female, at all ranks, that have taken place within the Air Corps within the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36602/13]
View answer603. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of promotions, male and female, at all ranks that have taken place within the Naval Service within the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36603/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 to 603, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not easily accessible through the Defence Forces Personnel Management System and would require a significant and unjustifiable level of effort to compile.
604. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current total strength of the Army including the Army Reserve, male and female, the extent to which it is expected to maintain such numbers in the future having regard to trends in the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36604/13]
View answerThe attached table sets out the number of men and women serving in the Army at 31 December for each of the years 2010 to 2012 and the Army Reserve at 31 December in years 2010 and 2011.
I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Army at 30 June 2013, the latest date for which figures are available, was 7,307, comprising 6,841 men and 466 women.
With regard to the Army Reserve, the total strength at 30 November 2012, the latest date for which figures are available was 4,773. This figure comprises 3,782 men and 991 women. I am advised that following completion of the recent re-organisation of the Reserve Defence Force, up to date strength figures for the Army Reserve will be available for the next reporting period which ends on 31 July. I will provide this information directly to the Deputy once it comes to hand.As the Deputy will be aware, a major re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force was completed in 2012. In addition, and in response to the findings of a Value for Money Review which was published in late 2012, the Reserve Defence Force has also now been re-organised. I am satisfied that the changes brought about by these two processes ensure that the Defence Forces organisational structures are configured to maximise required capabilities.
|
ARMY |
MEN |
WOMEN |
TOTAL |
|
2010 |
7285 |
467 |
7752 |
|
2011 |
7183 |
467 |
7650 |
|
2012 |
7028 |
482 |
7510 |
|
ARMY RESERVE |
MEN |
WOMEN |
TOTAL |
|
2010 |
4537 |
1283 |
5820 |
|
2011 |
3936 |
1059 |
4995 |
605. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of the Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps, male and female, currently serving overseas on various missions, the extent to which such overseas deployment will continue in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36605/13]
View answerIreland is currently contributing 449 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Ireland’s main deployment is in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), with smaller contributions in Kosovo, Bosnia Herzegovina, Afghanistan, EUTM Mali and EUTM Somalia. The total number of Defence Forces personnel, Army, Navy and Air Corps, male and female, currently serving overseas is as set out in the following table.
|
- |
FEMALE |
MALE |
TOTAL |
|
ARMY |
25 |
405 |
430 |
|
AIR CORPS |
1 |
11 |
12 |
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
TOTAL |
27 |
422 |
449 |
The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. However, the potential for deploying smaller groups of personnel and military observers in support of UN mandated operations will continue to be examined positively, as such requests arise.
606. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that notwithstanding the ongoing curtailments of expenditure throughout the public service arising from commitments entered into by his predecessors with the troika; if he will maintain the current extent of military installations, including barracks and equipment throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/13]
View answerThe 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 the development and maintenance of military installations and the purchase and upgrading of equipment. 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. The Defence property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources. As I have indicated to the House previously there are no plans for further barrack closures.
A particular focus is 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 €26.5 million. 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.
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.
607. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which ongoing modernisation of equipment, or military hardware, is likely to continue throughout the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps notwithstanding the ongoing economic difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36607/13]
View answer608. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied, regarding the ongoing availability of training and upgrading-updating of equipment and-or other resources required by the Defence Forces, in the context of their ability to deal with natural disasters or other emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36608/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 608 together.
I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including, training, equipment and up to date technology, enables the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas.
The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence and is a matter that is kept under constant review. 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, in the context of the current difficult economic situation, will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, training 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 Defence Forces.
The Defence Forces has a robust and comprehensive training system which incorporates a wide variety of modern training methods.
Training standards in the Defence Forces are constantly benchmarked against best international practice. Participation in ongoing overseas operations also necessitates multi lateral-training and assessment. This facilitates ongoing review of Defence Forces training methods and standards within an international military context. I am advised that Defence Forces personnel continue to have the most modern and effective range of equipment and technology available for their training and day-to-day roles.
I am satisfied that Naval Service training techniques and technologies are up to date in all respects, with the most up to date equipment, including modern technology and IT equipment available to Naval Service personnel. Preparations for the construction of two new offshore Patrol Vessels are advancing with the first ship due for delivery in early 2014. These modern new vessels, combined with a continuous process of refurbishment and repair on the other vessels in the fleet, will ensure the Naval Service continues to meet the required operational capability. A considerable training effort is also involved with the new ships programme to allow for a smooth entry of the first ship into operational service in 2014 and the second ship in 2015.
The Air Corps keeps abreast of all developments in modern aviation. It will continue to conduct its training in accordance with industry best practices and to the highest standards, referencing European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, using the most modern methods and equipment available.
The budgetary situation, in the context of the current difficult economic situation, will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, training 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 Defence Forces.
609. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the present gender balance of the total members of State boards under the aegis of his Department; if the ratio has changed significantly over the course of the present Government's term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36787/13]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2011-2016 includes a commitment to take steps to ensure that all State Boards have at least 40 per cent of each gender. My Department reviews the gender balance of State boards under its auspices and returns are made annually to the Department of Justice and Equality which has a coordinating role in this regard. Prior to the Government taking office, the return on gender balance at 31 December 2010 showed a breakdown as 69% male and 31% female for State Boards under the auspices of the Department. The return at 31 December 2012 showed that the gender balance stood at 65% male and 35% female. The Boards in question were the Civil Defence Board and the Army Pensions Board. Legislation was passed by the Oireachtas in December 2012 for the dissolution of the Civil Defence Board and the transfer of its functions back to the Department of Defence.
The Army Pensions Board comprises 3 members: a chairman, a civilian medical doctor and an officer of the Army Medical Corps. There is currently a vacancy on the Board for a civilian medical doctor. My Department has sought expressions of interest for appointment to this position. The appointment will be based on the necessary professional qualifications, relevant expertise and experience, a balance of skills and attributes, the gender balance of the Board and the availability and commitment of people to serve on the Board.
