Wednesday, 6 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 136 - 141

Defence Forces Properties

Questions (136)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which previously decommissioned military installations have been disposed of in line with proposals at the time of closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47399/13]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

My 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 in relation to the possible sale of Clonmel Barracks to South Tipperary County Council are at an advanced stage 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. Columb Barracks is currently used by an Garda Síochána and the Customs Service for training purposes and a large part of the barracks has been leased to Westmeath GAA Board for use as a potential centre of excellence.

In addition to the main barracks a number of other smaller properties have also been identified as surplus to military requirements in recent years. 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.

Defence Forces Personnel Data

Questions (137)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of women in each of 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. [47400/13]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The tables contain the strength of Women in the Permanent Defence Force, broken down into Army, Air Corps and Naval Service for each of the years 2008 to 2012 and to the 30th of September 2013, the latest date for which figures are available. 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.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2008-2012 include personnel who were on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. The September 2013 strength figures have been calculated on the basis of actual numbers serving on that date, excluding those members who are on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. All future strength figures will be calculated on this basis.

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-08

-	LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
	GEN	GEN	GEN	-	COL	-	-	-	OFFRS	-	-	-	-	-	-	NCOS	-	-	-
ARMY	-	-	-	-	1	21	48	41	111	-	-	3	1	32	108	144	200	13	468
AIR CORPS	-	-	-	-	-		2	2	4	-	-	1	-	3	10	14	13	1	32
NAVAL SERVICE	-	-	-	-	-	2	10	11	23	-	-	-	-	-	9	9	35	3	70
TOTAL	-	-	-	-	1	23	60	54	138	-	-	4	1	35	127	167	248	17	570

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-09

-	LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
	GEN	GEN	GEN		COL				OFFRS							NCOS
ARMY					2	19	43	47	111			3	1	32	109	145	194	12	462
AIR CORPS							4	1	5			1		4	10	15	12	1	33
NAVAL SERVICE						2	10	11	23						9	9	34	6	72
TOTAL					2	21	57	59	139			4	1	36	128	169	240	19	567

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-10

-	LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
-	GEN	GEN	GEN	-	COL	-	-	-	OFFRS	-	-	-	-	-	-	NCOS	-	-	-
ARMY	-	-	-	-	1	18	41	51	111	-	-	2	1	33	109	145	200	11	467
AIR CORPS	-	-	-	-	-		4	2	6	-	-	1	-	4	9	14	12		32
NAVAL SERVICE	-	-	-	-	-	2	10	14	26	-	-	-	-	-	8	8	34	2	70
TOTAL	-	-	-	-	1	20	55	67	143	-	-	3	1	37	126	167	346	13	569

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-11

-	LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
-	GEN	GEN	GEN	-	COL	-	-	-	OFFRS	-	-	-	-	-	-	NCOS	-	-	-
ARMY	-	-	-	-	2	19	46	45	112	-	-	2	1	35	119	157	194	4	467
AIR CORPS	-	-	-	-	-		2	3	5	-	-	1	-	4	13	18	7	1	30
NAVAL SERVICE	-	-	-	-	-	3	13	12	28	-	-	-	-	-	11	11	28	1	68
TOTAL	-	-	-	-	2	22	61	60	145	-	-	3	1	39	143	186	229	5	565

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-12

-	LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
-	GEN	GEN	GEN	-	COL	-	-	-	OFFRS	-	-	-	-	-	-	NCOS	-	-	-
ARMY	-	-	-	-	2	26	43	43	114	-	-	2	-	33	120	155	209	4	482
AIR CORPS	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	2	4	1	-	-	-	4	13	18	8		30
NAVAL SERVICE	-	-	-	-	-	6	12	10	28	-	-	-	-	2	10	12	28	2	70
TOTAL	-	-	-	-	2	32	57	55	146	1		2		39	143	185	245	6	582

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

30-Sep-13

-	LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
-	GEN	GEN	GEN	-	COL	-	-	-	OFFRS	-	-	-	-	-	-	NCOS	-	-	-
ARMY	-	-	-	-	2	26	41	43	112	-	-	1	1	42	116	160	189	4	465
AIR CORPS	-	-	-	-	-		2	2	4	1	-	-	-	6	10	17	7		28
NAVAL SERVICE	-	-	-	-	-	6	12	10	28	-	-	-	-	2	10	12	26	1	67
TOTAL	-	-	-	-	2	32	55	55	144	1	-	1	1	50	136	189	222	5	560

Search and Rescue Service

Questions (138)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which ongoing review continues to take place into the capacity and capabilities of the Air Corps, with particular reference to air sea rescue, coastal surveillance and-or air ambulance services; if any particular issues have been identified which require specific attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47401/13]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of search and rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region whilst responsibility for the prevention of drug-trafficking and people trafficking rests primarily with the Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána respectively. However, the Air Corps has a role in assisting and supporting the civil authorities and, in this regard, both they and the Naval Service provide support to these agencies as the need arises and within their available capabilities. A Service Level Agreement is in place with the Irish Coast Guard which sets out, inter alia, the search and rescue assistance that the Air Corps and Naval Service can provide to the Coast Guard. The provision of onshore assistance by Air Corps helicopters for mountain rescue operations is also covered in the Agreement, as is provision by Air Corps aircraft of fixed wing ‘top cover’ to Coast Guard helicopters operating offshore.

The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of territorial waters using the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment which offers aerial assistance to the Naval Service in patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone.

A Service Level Agreement is in place between my Department and the Department of Health which formalises the arrangements for the provision of emergency inter-hospital transfers by the Air Corps. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between my Department and the Department of Health underpins the Air Corps’ support to the National Ambulance Service for a pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support service, focussing primarily in the west of Ireland and operating out of Custume Barracks Athlone. Following a review of the pilot service carried out by an Audit and Evaluation Group established under the MOU, a Report was submitted for consideration by my colleague, the Minister for Health. Following a subsequent request from the Minister, I have agreed to extend the Air Corps’ participation in the pilot in order to allow him an opportunity to give consideration to the Report and to examine the options for the implementation of its recommendations.

These matters are kept under review and I am satisfied that the Air Corps has the necessary capabilities in these important areas.

In July 2013, following Government approval, I launched a Green Paper on Defence. This initiated a consultative process that will inform the development of a new White Paper on Defence. When finalised, the new White Paper will provide the defence policy framework for the next ten years.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (139)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

139. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding farm grants due to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and when payment may issue. [47214/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 25 March 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility/cross compliance inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (140, 141)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

140. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47218/13]

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

141. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the disadvantaged area aid scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47220/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.

The person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 5 May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility/cross compliance inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.