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Wednesday, 6 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 19-25

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (19)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

19. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the full cost of his visits to Cyprus, the Lebanon and Israel for St. Patrick's Day earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46635/13]

View answer

Written answers

During the period 9 to 15 March 2013, I visited Lebanon and Israel in a comprehensive St Patrick’s Day programme in the Middle East. My main purpose in travelling to Lebanon was to visit the Irish troops serving as part of a joint Irish/Finnish battalion with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). I was accompanied on this trip by the Chief of Staff, three officials from my Department and three officers of the Defence Forces. The costs incurred amount to €15,309 and primarily relate to commercial flight costs, accommodation and subsistence expenses and do not include the costs of the Ministerial Air Transport Service which are set as follows. The Ministerial Air Transport Service provided by the Air Corps was used for the overseas travel programme for St. Patrick’s Day as follows:

Date

Return Date

Ministerial Time On Board (Minutes)

Route

Minister

09/03/2013

12/03/2013

390

Baldonnel - Beirut – Tel Aviv - Baldonnel

Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence

My Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings:

- The direct cost which includes costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown including maintenance, fuel and support services such as catering costs, cleaning services and airport handling charges.

- The total cost which is the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft and includes depreciation and personnel costs.

The average direct cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,270. The average total cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,790. These are average costs which take a number of variables into account. It is not possible to assign an exact cost to any particular mission.

Defence Forces Family Clinics

Questions (20)

Clare Daly

Question:

20. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if he has carried out a cost benefit analysis into the decision to cut medical services to the 484 families of serving soldiers who rely on same; and if he plans to offer the families affected some alternative service to alleviate the hardship that will ensue when this facility is taken from them. [46644/13]

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Written answers

A full analysis of the service provided at the Curragh Families Clinic was undertaken prior to the decision being taken to discontinue the services being provided. The analysis concluded that the service provided by the Curragh Families Clinic is an anomaly in that it is a benefit which is only available to a relatively small number of families of enlisted personnel resident within the Curragh Camp and surrounding areas. Similar services are not provided to families of enlisted military personnel at any other location in the State. A further anomaly arises in that new personnel deployed to the Curragh in recent times do not receive the benefit of free family care. The recent analysis of the operation of the Curragh Families Clinic followed on from a number of reviews, undertaken in the period since 1990, all of which recommended that the Clinic be closed. The decision to discontinue the operation of the clinic had regard to those reviews, equity considerations and the cost of the service.

I would like to emphasise that the families affected by the closure of the Clinic will have the same rights of access to public health services as other families of enlisted personnel. Also, existing services are being maintained for a period until 31 December to allow families make arrangements to transfer to local GP’s and apply for medical cards or GP visit cards if required. If any patient requires assistance in finding a new GP or applying for a medical or GP visit card this can be provided by staff in the clinic during the transition period.

I have no plans to change the decision to discontinue the services at the Clinic.

Defence Forces Remuneration

Questions (21)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

21. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence his views on the assertion of the Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association that 20% of its members are on family income supplement and the measures he will take to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46634/13]

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Written answers

Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in each part of the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to levels of pay available in related public sector employments. In this regard, the level of remuneration in the Defence sector has maintained relativity with the levels available in other related public sector employments. I fully appreciate that many of our citizens are facing difficulties in the current environment, including members of the Defence Forces. The Government is making every effort, within available resources, to support all those who face hardship. In addition, there are various schemes in place through the Department of Social Protection, including Family Income Supplement, to support those on low incomes.

The circumstances surrounding an application for Family Income Supplement, or indeed any other scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection, is a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Social Protection. I am, therefore, not aware of the eligibility of individual members of the Permanent Defence Force to receive such allowances, or the total numbers of Defence Force members that may be in receipt of this financial support. Various factors can give rise to such claims. However, the important thing is that, despite the difficult economic environment, the Government has maintained this important safety net for families who by virtue of their particular circumstances require such financial support.

Overseas Missions

Questions (22)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

22. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will confirm the number of Defence Forces personnel who may be sent to conflict zones abroad with the approval of only part of the three elements of the triple lock mechanism, Government approval, Dáil approval and a UN Security Council mandate; if he will provide the numbers of such personnel who are currently working overseas; the numbers in each year from 2000 to date in 2013; the destinations of these personnel in each case; the financial cost of committing these personnel overseas in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46791/13]

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Written answers

The statutory authority for the despatch of contingents of the Permanent Defence Force for service overseas as part of an International Force, is set out in Section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960, as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006. This provision is commonly referred to as the "triple lock" and comprises three requirements namely:

- the authorisation of the operation by the Security Council or General Assembly of the United Nations;

- a formal Government decision; and

- the approval of Dáil Éireann.

There is no requirement for Dáil approval for the despatch of contingents of the Permanent Defence Force for service overseas as part of an International Force where that Force is unarmed or where the size of the Permanent Defence Force contingent does not exceed twelve members.

Outside of such contingent deployments, members of the Permanent Defence Force may also be deployed outside the State on a range of other duties including training, humanitarian operations, fact finding missions, ceremonial duties etc. under the authority of the Government in accordance with the provisions of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, which formalised arrangements in this regard. Section 3 of the 2006 Act sets out the range of such duties.

Details of personnel serving overseas in conflict zones since 2000, where there is no requirement for Dáil approval or for authorisation of an operation by the Security Council under the Defence Acts, are not readily available. However, the following tabular statement provides full details of all such personnel serving overseas between 2008 and 2012. Also included in the tabular statement are the estimated costs to the Defence Vote of participation by the Defence Forces in the missions in question. These costings do not include common costs payable by EU Member States, including Ireland, for EU led missions, in accordance with EU Council Decision of 17 June, 2002.

It was not possible in the time available to compile the full information including costs in relation to 2013. However, my Department is currently compiling this information and I will provide it directly to the Deputy once it comes to hand.

MISSION

DATES MISSION ACTIVE

(DURING 2008 TO 2012)

NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING IN MISSION DURING PERIOD FROM 2008 TO 2012

COSTINGS FROM

2008 TO 2012

UNITED NATIONS MISSIONS

-

-

-

UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Syria, Israel, Lebanon

2008 to 2012

12

€1,644,500

MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)

2008 to 2012

3

€385,000

MONUC/MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)

2008 to 2012

3

€407,500

UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast)

2008 to 2012

2

€316,250

UNSMIS (United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria)

May 2012 to Aug 2012

6 reducing to 3 in July 2012

€44,650

EU MISSIONS

-

-

-

EUTM Somalia

2010 to 2012

Average of 5 up to 2011.In 2012 increased to 7 and later to 10

€653,200

EUNAVFOR (Operation Atlanta)

June to December 2009

2

€54,200

OSCE Missions

-

-

-

Bosnia

2008 to 2012

2

€239,900

NATO Led Missions

-

-

-

ISAF (International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan)

2008 to 2012

7

€1,608,000

Question No. 23 answered with Question No. 17.

Overseas Missions

Questions (24)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

24. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the full extent of the deployment of Irish troops overseas; if further requests in this regard are pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46637/13]

View answer

Written answers

As of 1 November 2013, Ireland is contributing approximately 560 Defence Forces personnel to 14 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement below. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 356 personnel, including the Deputy Force Commander. The joint Irish/Finnish Battalion is tasked primarily with patrolling, reconnaissance and occupying static posts while operating in close co-ordination and co-operation with the Lebanese Armed Forces in Sector West of UNIFIL’s area of operations.

Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia with eight (8) personnel, including the Mission Commander; the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with eight (8) personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven (7) personnel who are based at mission headquarters in Sarajevo; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with twelve (12) personnel based in the mission Headquarters; and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with seven (7) personnel who are based in the mission Headquarters in Kabul. Ireland also contributes 24 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and 16 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.

The most recent deployment overseas was in response to a United Nations request and resulted in the deployment of the 43rd Infantry Group to United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights in Syria. This deployment was successfully completed on 28 September 2013. The 43rd Infantry Group is tasked primarily to serve as the Force Mobile Reserve within the UNDOF Area of Responsibility. A total of 118 Defence Forces personnel are currently serving with UNDOF, including four (4) personnel who were deployed to UNDOF earlier this year for service at the Mission Headquarters.

Also, at the request of the United Nations and following Government approval, four (4) members of the Permanent Defence Force were deployed for service with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan in August 2013. Their role is to provide a specialist training team on Conventional Munitions Disposal (CMD), mine and specialist search awareness to South Sudan Police personnel.

The current contribution of some 560 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.

My Department constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. No further requests for overseas deployments are currently pending.

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS

AS OF 01 NOVEMER 2013

1.

UN MISSIONS

-

-

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ

16

-

UNIFIL 108th Infantry Battalion

332

-

UNIFIL Sector West HQ

8

-

UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation ) Israel & Syria

13

-

MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)

3

-

MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)

3

-

UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast)

2

-

UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) Golan Heights Syria

118

-

UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service ) South Sudan

4

-

TOTAL

499

-

UN MANDATED MISSIONS

EUFOR (EU led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

7

-

EUTM Somalia (EU led Training Mission)

8

-

EUTM Mali (EU led Training Mission)

8

-

KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ

12

-

ISAF (International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan)

7

-

TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS

541

2.

ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE)

-

-

OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina

2

-

OSCE Mission in Belgrade – Serbia

1

-

Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group Vienna

1

-

TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING OSCE

4

3.

EU MILITARY STAFF

-

-

Brussels

5

4.

MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF

-

-

Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York

1

-

Military Adviser Irish delegation to OSCE, Vienna

1

-

Military Representative to EU (Brussels)

3

-

Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels)

2

-

EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium

1

-

Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium

1

-

European Defence Agency (EDA) Brussels

1

-

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS

560

Naval Service Vessels

Questions (25)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

25. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding a replacement programme for the older vessels in the Naval Service. [46632/13]

View answer

Written answers

A vessel replacement strategy for the Naval Service is currently in progress. In that regard, a contract was signed in October 2010, with Babcock Marine, part of the Babcock International Group, in the United Kingdom for the provision of two new offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Naval Service. The cost of the two new ships is €108m, exclusive of VAT. In addition, the cost of providing a weapons system for the ships, similar to the systems on L.E. Roisin and L.E. Niamh, is €7.8m, exclusive of VAT. The two new ships are being built by Babcock Marine in Appledore, Devon in the United Kingdom, the same shipyard where both L.E. Roisin and L.E. Niamh were built. The build programme for the first ship is well advanced and the float out of the ship, to be named LE Samuel Beckett, took place last Sunday evening in Devon. The ship will replace LE Emer which was decommissioned and sold by public auction late last month in Cork. The fitting out of the ship and the final build work will be completed over the next two months and it is expected that the ship will be ready for sea trials early in the New Year. The cutting of steel and the fabrication of units for the second ship is also well advanced and the keel laying ceremony for this ship took place last Monday. The second new ship will replace LE Aoife when it is delivered in early 2015.

This vessel replacement strategy combined with a continuous process of refurbishment and repair will ensure that the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained at a satisfactory level. The acquisition of these new vessels with the very latest equipment suites will ensure that the Naval Service will be fully equipped to carry out its day to day roles in enforcing the State’s sovereign rights over our waters and our fisheries and meeting Ireland’s obligations in the area of maritime safety and security and fisheries protection.

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