Written Answers Nos. 123 - 129
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is expected to maintain the strength of the Defence Forces throughout the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps having particular regard to retirement that may now become due on foot of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26332/14]
View answerThe Government is committed to a stabilised strength of 9,500 for the Permanent Defence Force. In the context of current strength numbers being below the agreed stabilised strength, a new General Service recruitment campaign for both the Permanent and the Reserve Defence Force was announced in March this year. The Defence Forces plan to induct up to 400 personnel to the Permanent Defence Force (both Army and Navy) and up to 500 personnel to the Reserve Defence Force (both Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve) in 2014. Additionally, a 2014 Cadetship Competition for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is underway. It is planned to award a total of 40 cadetships from this competition comprising of twenty (20) Army, nine (9) Air Corps and eleven (11) Naval Service. I envisage that further recruitment will take place in 2015 to take account particularly of retirements. With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, it is intended 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.
125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which promotional opportunities remain available throughout the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26333/14]
View answerI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 April 2014, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,110, comprising 7,338 Army, 764 Air Corps and 1,008 Naval Service personnel. The attached table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 30 April 2014, based on the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.
Promotions are ongoing within the Officer and the Non-Commissioned Officer ranks. Competitions to fill current and future vacancies in the ranks of Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel have recently been held with further officer competitions scheduled to take place in the coming months. As the majority of the panels established from the NCO promotion competitions have now closed, new NCO promotion competitions will be held in the near future. It is my intention that promotions will be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.
PDF Strength by Rank as at 30 April 2014 versus PDF Rank Establishment of 9,500
|
- |
Lt Gen |
Maj Gen |
Brig Gen |
Col |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
Sgt |
Cpl |
Pte/Cadet |
|
Army Rank Establishment |
1 |
2* |
6 |
37** |
110 |
255 |
306 |
167 |
29 |
33 |
114 |
170 |
973 |
1,437 |
3,880 |
|
Army Strength |
1 |
0 |
6 |
36** |
106 |
248 |
254 |
278 |
29 |
33 |
110 |
168 |
891 |
1,332 |
3,844*** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
2* |
0 |
0 |
4 |
7 |
52 |
-111 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
82 |
105 |
36 |
|
Air Corps Rank Establishment |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
36 |
65 |
48 |
8 |
4 |
56 |
14 |
131 |
183 |
324 |
|
Air Corps Strength |
0 |
1* |
1 |
2 |
14 |
32 |
49 |
35 |
8 |
4 |
49 |
14 |
125 |
158 |
273*** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
16 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
6 |
25 |
51 |
|
Naval Service Rank Establishment |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
45 |
81 |
41 |
6 |
7 |
75 |
15 |
226 |
180 |
402 |
|
Naval Service Strength |
0 |
1* |
1 |
2 |
12 |
45 |
52 |
45 |
6 |
7 |
67 |
15 |
174 |
166 |
416*** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
29 |
-4 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
52 |
14 |
-14 |
|
Total Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0* |
0 |
0** |
5 |
11 |
97 ( less 51 promotions on 3/6/14) |
-102 |
0 |
0 |
19 |
2 |
140 |
144 |
73 |
* For administrative record purposes, the two Major General Appointments in the Permanent Defence Force are held against the establishment for the Army. One of these posts is currently filled by an Air Corps Officer and the other by a Naval Service Officer
** Within the Establishment figures there is provision for one appointment and one temporary appointment in the rank of Colonel in the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO). As the current holder of the General Secretary appointment is in the rank of Comdt there is no vacancy in the rank of Colonel in the Army
*** Includes 20 Army Cadets, 14 Air Corps Cadets and 15 Naval Service Cadets
There are an additional 81 personnel on career breaks/secondment, who are not included in the strengths in the above table.
Note:
Equivalent Naval Service Ranks Brigadier General/Commodore
Colonel/Captain
Lieutenant Colonel/Commander
Commandant/Lieutenant Commander
Captain/Lieutenant(NS)
Lieutenant/Sub Lieutenant Sergeant Mayor/Warrant Officer
Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Chief Petty Officer
Company Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Petty Officer
Company Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer
Sergeant/Petty Officer
Corporal/Leading Seaman
Private/Able Seaman
126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which members of the Defence Forces from the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are deployed overseas at present; if any further or new deployments are forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26334/14]
View answerAs of 1 June 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 417 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement below. Ireland's main deployments are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 199 personnel and United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 135 personnel. Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with eight (8) personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven (7) personnel; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with twelve (12) personnel; and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with seven (7) personnel, and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan with five (5) personnel. Ireland also contributes 26 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions, 3 personnel to the Nordic Battle group headquarters in Sweden and 15 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.
The breakdown of the 417 Irish Defence Forces personnel currently serving overseas is 376 Army, 32 Air Corps and 9 Naval Service.
With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy and the degree of risk involved are amongst the factors considered. Due to Ireland's current level of commitment in overseas peacekeeping operations, notably to the United Nations Disengagement Force in Syria and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, we are not in a position to make any significant commitment to other missions at this time.
The current contribution of some 417 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continue to have sufficient capability or capacity to deal with any emergency that may arise such a natural disaster or security issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26335/14]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability and capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible. Primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order including the protection of the internal security of the State 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 Aid to the Civil Power (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.
In relation to non-security related emergencies, whilst the Defence Forces are not a Principal Response Agency as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role.
At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both my Department and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency and that the command structure within the Defence Forces is compatible with the requirements in this area.
The Defence Forces are also represented on the eight Regional Working Groups that have been established under the Framework and, on an ongoing basis, designated members of the Defence Forces, based around the country, act as Liaison Officers to Local Authorities. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is available for deployments in response to emergencies and natural disasters. In this regard, the Defence Forces hold a wide range of engineering and transport plant and equipment for military purposes. All such plant and equipment suitable for use in emergency situations is made available as the need arises.
In relation to the Naval Service, all vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that, in addition to their fishery protection role, they also undertake general surveillance, security, pollution monitoring, and Search and Rescue in support to the Irish Coast Guard, amongst other duties while on patrol. These activities assist in detecting and preventing emergency situations throughout Ireland’s maritime jurisdiction.
The first of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels was commissioned last month and is now on patrol in Irish waters. A second Offshore Patrol Vessel is scheduled for delivery in early 2015. Under the contract with Babcock International for the provision of these two new vessels an order has been placed for a third and identical Vessel for delivery in 2016. 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.
The role of the Air Corps includes the provision of an emergency inter-hospital Air Ambulance service in support of the HSE. It is also supporting the HSE in a pilot emergency aero medical support service operating primarily in the West of Ireland. The Air Corps also has a maritime surveillance function undertaken by its maritime patrol aircraft and both it and the Naval Service provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations.
I am satisfied that Defence Forces personnel have a modern and effective range of equipment, including telecommunications and logistical equipment, needed to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which all military installations decommissioned over the past 17 years have been disposed of or are otherwise in use to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26336/14]
View answerThe 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 barracks to Donegal County Council. Discussions had also been ongoing for a considerable period of time with the Council in relation to the sale of Rockhill House, however at a recent meeting with officials of the Department the Council was not in a position to give a firm commitment to acquiring the property at this stage. It is proposed therefore to dispose of the property by public auction within the next couple of months.
Discussions are at an advanced stage in relation to the sale of the former barracks in Clonmel to South Tipperary County Council and I expect that the sale will be finalised over the coming weeks. The remaining part of Longford has been reserved for sale to the Office of Public Works 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 licensed to Westmeath GAA Board for use as a potential centre of excellence. Discussions are at an advanced stage with the Board in relation to the possible lease of the whole facility and these discussions should be completed over the coming months.
In addition to the main barracks outlined above a number of other properties have also been identified as surplus to military requirements. A large number of these have already been disposed of whilst others are in the process of being prepared for disposal. These mainly consist of married quarters, Reserve Defence Force (RDF) premises and training lands.
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which all equipment including sea-going vessels, aircraft and land transport remains upgraded or updated in line with best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26337/14]
View answer131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Naval Service and Air Corps remain adequately equipped in terms of technology, personnel, aircraft and sea-going vessels to ensure continuity in respect of air and sea surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26339/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 131 together.
I am satisfied that the level of equipment currently available to the Defence Forces enables them to carry out their roles, both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service is a matter that is kept under constant review at a senior level in my Department and in the Defence Forces, through joint participation in the High Level Planning and Procurement Group. This Group is charged with identifying equipment requirements and agreeing on a procurement programme to provide the Defence Forces with type and quantities of equipment necessary to carry out their assigned duties. These are all issues that are also a consideration in the drafting of the new White Paper on Defence.
However, the fact remains that in the current economic climate the budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment and for equipment upgrades. Decisions will be made accordingly on a strictly prioritised basis in accordance with operational priorities with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. The first of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels was commissioned last month and is now on patrol in Irish waters. A second Offshore Patrol Vessel is scheduled for delivery in early 2015. Under the contract with Babcock International for the provision of these two new vessels an order has been placed for a third and identical Vessel for delivery in 2016. 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.
All Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that, in addition to their fishery protection role, they also undertake general surveillance, security, pollution monitoring, Search and Rescue and other duties while on patrol. The Air Corps operate a maintenance plan which endeavours to ensure that the maximum number of operational flying hours is available from aircraft when most needed. The maintenance of the Air Corps fleet falls into three broad categories: scheduled, unscheduled and routine/daily. The use of Power by the Hour / Performance Based maintenance contracts assists the Air Corps in keeping downtime of aircraft to the minimum. The provision for the Air Corps in 2014 mainly relates to these maintenance and Power by the Hour contracts set up to keep the Air Corps fleet fully operational with specific maintenance work being carried out on the CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft related to the overhaul of engines on the aircraft.
The question of proceeding with any replacement aircraft programme for the Air Corps will be considered in tandem with the new White Paper on Defence, the overall equipment requirements of the Defence Forces generally and the funding envelope available in the coming years. On the transport side, the Defence Forces has a significant fleet of vehicles. In recent years, a number of vehicle purchases took place which included Minibuses, standard patrol vehicles and mid-coaches for troop transportation. In addition, funding is provided on a continuous basis for the required maintenance and servicing of vehicles in the military transport fleet.
