Written Answers Nos. 377 - 392
377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current use of all military installations decommissioned or otherwise not in use throughout the country since 1998; if all have been disposed of or otherwise used for alternative purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1554/15]
View answerMy 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 the sale has been completed on nine of these barracks - Clancy (Dublin), Castleblaney, Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Monaghan, Cavan, Rockhill (Letterkenny), and a large portion of Longford. In relation to the remaining barracks, agreement has been reached for the sale of Lifford to Donegal County Council, Castlebar to Mayo County Council and Clonmel to Tipperary County Council. It is expected that these sales will be fully completed shortly.
The remaining part of Longford Barracks 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. Approximately eight acres of Magee Barracks has been sold to the Department of Education to facilitate the construction of a new school and it is hoped to auction the remaining portion of the barracks in mid 2015.
Columb Barracks in Mullingar 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. As part of the licence agreement, the Board pays a sum to my Department for use of the facility. Discussions are at an advanced stage with the Board in relation to the possible long term lease of the facility. Discussions are also ongoing with a number of other interested parties regarding future use of Mullingar.
In addition to the main barracks outlined above a number of other properties have also been identified as surplus to military requirements over recent years. These include, married quarters, Reserve Defence Force (RDF) premises and training lands. A large number of these have already been disposed of whilst others are in the process of being prepared for disposal.
In the case of married quarters which are outside of military installations, the majority were sold to the occupiers/members of the Defence Forces.
Over 20 Reserve Defence Force premises have been sold since 1998. Three were sold to local authorities, and one to a State agency with the remaining sold to private individuals.
A small number of these properties are also being used under licence by various organisations including sporting clubs and in some cases by private individuals for grazing purposes until arrangements are finalised for their disposal. In all cases appropriate rents are being paid to my Department by the licencees.
378. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the separate strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps and their respective reserves; the extent to which this is in line with requirements; the extent to which such numbers are likely to be affected by retirements and-or recruitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1555/15]
View answerThe Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service and the establishment strength of the Reserve Defence Force at 4,069, comprising of 3,869 Army Reservists and 200 Naval Service Reservists. The current strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corps as of 30 November 2014 (the latest date for which figures are available) together with the corresponding figures for the Army and Naval Reserve are set out in the tables.
Table 1. Permanent Defence Force
Strength (30 November 2014)
|
- |
No. |
|
Army |
7,480 |
|
Navy |
1,061 |
|
Air Corps |
764 |
|
Total |
9,305 |
Table 2. Reserve Defence Force
Strength (30 November 2014)
|
- |
No. |
|
Army Reserve |
2,181 |
|
Naval Reserve |
144 |
|
Total |
2,325 |
Recruitment of personnel to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps is determined in line with the operational requirements of each of the three services and takes account of vacancies created by retirements.
Targeted recruitment has been taking place so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel and to ensure the ongoing deployable capacity of the Defence Forces on operations. To this end, a General Service Recruitment competition took place in 2014. Recruitment from the panels established under this competition commenced on 18 August, 2014. Of the 443 Recruits enlisted to the Permanent Defence Force (both Army and Navy) since then, 380 remain in training. There are 37 cadets in training and 15 Apprentice Aircraft Technicians have been recruited to the Air Corps. Targeted General Service recruitment will continue this year from the recruitment panels formed from the 2014 competition. It is planned that these panels will remain in place until they are exhausted later this year.
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.
379. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Force Reserve personnel are afforded annual training or retraining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1556/15]
View answerA Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force was published in November 2012. A key recommendation in that review was to ensure that all effective members of the Reserve were afforded the opportunity to undertake annual training. In order to facilitate the nature of Reserve service, training is organised both in and out of normal working hours and at weekends. Reserve training is also organised during academic and traditional holiday periods in order to maximise attendance of Reserve personnel. Reserve personnel also have the opportunity to complete formal courses of training at Brigade and Formation level and in the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp. Training of the Reserve remains a priority of the Defence Forces.
In 2014 members of the Reserve availed of 23,000 paid training man-days. The 2015 budgetary provision for paid training for members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve is €2.068 million. This will provide approximately 26,000 paid training man-days.
380. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of women who have retired from the Defence Forces, all branches, in each of the past five years to date; the way such numbers are likely to be affected by recruitment in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1557/15]
View answerThe table contains the number of female personnel who left the Permanent Defence Force in each of the years 2010 to 2014.
|
Year |
Number |
|
2010 |
12 |
|
2011 |
25 |
|
2012 |
22 |
|
2013 |
29 |
|
2014 |
28 |
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. However, a key impediment in achieving greater female participation is the lack of female applicants relative to males. Recent recruitment campaigns have sought to target potential female candidates and such efforts will continue.
As part of the 2014 recruitment campaign for enlisted personnel and the Reserve, specific efforts were made to increase the number of female applicants. These efforts included school visits, media engagement including national and local radio, targeting sports clubs and the use of social media. At the closing date for the 2014 recruitment campaign there were 749 Female applicants or 10.3% out of a total of 7,303 applicants for the Permanent Defence Force. On the face of it these figures appear to be disappointing. However, I believe that a key issue in recruiting and retaining female personnel lies in societal perception and attitudes to female soldiers and officers. I am hopeful that through continued engagement and communication, this perception will change over time.
381. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he expects members of the Defence Forces to be deployed overseas in the coming years; the scale of any such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1558/15]
View answerAs of 1 January 2015, Ireland is contributing 426 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 199 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 138 personnel, the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 12 personnel, the EU-led operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 7 personnel, the EU-led Training Mission in Mali with 10 personnel and the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan with 7 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with several United Nations missions. Personnel have also recently deployed to the Irish Embassy in Sierra Leone and 5 medical personnel will shortly deploy with UK Armed forces to support the international response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa.
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. Initial work on possible options for a contribution by Ireland to the EU maritime mission in the Horn of Africa, Operation ATALANTA is being undertaken in my Department and a decision in this regard will be made in due course.
However, given Ireland’s current level of commitment in overseas peacekeeping operations, notably to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Syria and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, we are not in a position to make significant long-term commitments to other missions at this time.
The current contribution of some 426 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.
382. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he remains satisfied that the current strength of the Defence Forces remains adequate to meet requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1559/15]
View answerIn common with all areas of the public sector, the priority in recent years has been to ensure that the Defence Forces can continue to meet all operational requirements within a reduced resource envelope. Arising from the comprehensive review of expenditure in 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 9,500 personnel. Resulting from the revised strength ceiling, a major re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force was initiated. Key aspects of the reorganisation included the consolidation of three under-strength Army Brigades into two full strength Brigades, the consolidation of under-strength units into a smaller number of full strength units, a reduction in the number of headquarters and the associated re-deployment of personnel from administrative and support functions to operational units.
A major re-organisation of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve was implemented in 2013 and the Reserve Defence Force is now organised alongside the Permanent Defence Force, within a more efficient single force structure.
All of these measures have ensured that the Permanent Defence Force continues to deliver required operational outputs for all approved Aid to the Civil Power and approved Aid to the Civil Authority requests. The Permanent Defence Force also continues to meet Government requirements for overseas peace support operations. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment is also available for deployments in response to emergencies and crises.
Looking to the future, a new White Paper on Defence is currently being prepared. This will set out the Defence policy framework for the next decade having regard to an assessment of the future security environment. The identification of future capability priorities is also a key part of the ongoing process.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces can continue to fulfil all roles assigned to it by the Government.
383. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which ongoing upgrading of aircraft and IT continues in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1560/15]
View answerThe acquisition of new equipment and technology for the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence and is a matter that is kept under constant review. 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 Information Technology Equipment upgrades for the Defence organisation.
The development of a new White Paper on Defence is underway. The White Paper will provide the future policy framework for Defence and Defence provision for the next decade. A key part of the development of the White Paper is the consideration of potential challenges to our defence and security environment that may emerge into the future given that such areas can be volatile and unpredictable.
The role of the Air Corps is part of the White Paper deliberations. In addition, 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.
The Air Corps operate a maintenance plan which endeavours to ensure that the maximum number of operational flying hours is available from the current aircraft fleet when most needed. The maintenance of the Air Corps fleet falls into three broad categories: scheduled, unscheduled and routine/daily. The use of Performance Based maintenance contracts assists the Air Corps in keeping downtime of aircraft to the minimum.
384. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied as to the extent to which new sea-going vessels continue to be made available to the Naval Service or the upgrading of existing vessels and equipment in lieu thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1561/15]
View answerThe development of a new White Paper on Defence is underway. The White Paper will provide the future policy framework for Defence and Defence provision for the next decade. A key part of the development of the White Paper is the consideration of potential challenges to our defence and security environment that may emerge into the future given that such areas can be volatile and unpredictable. The role of the Naval Service and the ongoing Naval Service Ships Replacement Programme are part of the White Paper deliberations. The Ships Replacement Programme continues to move ahead. Following a tender competition, a contract was placed in October 2010 with Babcock Marine, UK, for the provision of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Naval Service with the option of a third OPV. The ships are being built in the same dockyard in Devon where both LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh were built.
The first of the two ships LÉ Samuel Beckett was handed over at the end of April 2014. LÉ Samuel Beckett replaced LÉ Emer which was decommissioned and sold in October 2013. The second ship which will be named LÉ James Joyce is scheduled for delivery in March 2015 at which stage it will replace LÉ Aoife, due for decommissioning shortly.
In June 2014, the Department of Defence exercised the option under the original contract to place an order for a third OPV which is scheduled for delivery in the middle of 2016.
The acquisition of these modern new vessels, combined with a continuous process of refurbishment and repair, will ensure that the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained.
385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which positions at all ranks remain to be filled in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1562/15]
View answerI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 November 2014, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,305, comprising 7,480 Army, 764 Air Corps and 1,061 Naval Service personnel. The table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 30 November 2014, based on the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.
Promotions are ongoing within the Officer and Non-Commissioned ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. New NCO promotion competitions to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above were held in late 2014 and promotions are currently underway.
In addition, targeted recruitment will continue in 2015 so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel. It is my intention that promotions, along with targeted recruitment, will be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.
PDF Strength by Rank as at 30 November 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 |
2 |
6 |
33** |
102 |
244 |
277 |
224 |
25 |
31 |
104 |
159 |
873 |
1,352 |
4,047*** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
2* |
0 |
4 |
8 |
11 |
29 |
-5 7 |
4 |
2 |
10 |
11 |
100 |
85 |
- 167 |
|
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 |
11 |
32 |
50 |
30 |
8 |
4 |
46 |
14 |
125 |
161 |
280*** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
15 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
6 |
22 |
44 |
|
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 |
44 |
46 |
50 |
6 |
7 |
64 |
15 |
171 |
175 |
468*** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
35 |
-9 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
55 |
5 |
- 66 |
|
Total Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0* |
0 |
4 ** |
12 |
1 6 |
79 |
- 48 |
4 |
2 |
31 |
11 |
161 |
1 12 |
- 189 |
* 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) and 10 Colonel Appointments overseas. However, as the current holders of the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary appointments in RACO are in the rank of Commandant and with no requirement to fill 2 of the Colonel overseas appointments no vacancy existed in the rank of Colonel in the Army.
*** Includes 38 Army Cadets, 23 Air Corps Cadets and 13 Naval Service Cadets.
There are an additional 82 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
386. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of personnel at all ranks due to retire from the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1563/15]
View answerApproximately seventy (70) personnel are expected to retire on age grounds from the Permanent Defence Force during 2015. It is not possible to estimate how many personnel will leave the Permanent Defence Force for reasons other than age during this period. 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.
387. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence his plans to publish the Curragh of Kildare Bill; the number of the suggested alternatives as proposed as an alternative to the Bill that have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1622/15]
View answerThe management and protection of the Curragh plains is an on-going process. The Curragh provides a working environment for three main users, the Defence Forces, the horse-racing and training industry and sheep owners. In addition in recent years there has also been a marked increase in the level of use as a leisure facility mainly because of the population growth in the area. Officials from my Department have regular contact with the various parties involved in the use and management of the Curragh to discuss a wide range of issues including the development and protection of the Curragh plains and how best to deal with the day to day issues of illegal parking, dumping etc.
Also as part of the on-going management of the Curragh my Department officials liaise with various Departments and State Agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Chief State Solicitors Office to ensure that best practice is adhered to in relation to the development and up keep of the Curragh Plains.
In relation to the Curragh of Kildare Bill, as you are aware a number of technical issues arose which caused difficulty in progressing the Bill. Also the establishment of the Authority as a separate agency under the aegis of the Department of Defence (as proposed in the Bill) would involve additional costs in terms of staff, accommodation, expenses and payments to members of the Authority, which would be significantly greater than the costs incurred by my Department in administering the Curragh Lands. This Government has targeted the rationalisation of State agencies as a key cost saving measure and in that context it would be inappropriate to establish a separate agency to manage work currently being done by my Department. Given the requirements of administrative efficiency, and the technical difficulties with the Bill I do not consider it prudent to reactivate the Bill.
388. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Defence when there will be a new recruitment competition for the Defence Forces, particularly the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1654/15]
View answerThe Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service.
I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 30 November 2014, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,305 personnel, comprising 7,480 Army, 764 Air Corps and 1,061 Naval Service.
A new recruitment campaign for Enlisted Personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was launched in March 2014. The Military Authorities have advised that, to date, from this recruitment campaign a total of 443 Recruits have been inducted to the Permanent Defence Force, of which 360 Recruits have completed or continue in training.
The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force, targeted recruitment will continue in 2015 from the recruitment panels formed from the current General Service recruitment competition, so as to maintain the agreed strength levels.
It is too early to say if there will be a requirement for a new General Service Recruitment campaign for the Army and Naval Service in 2015.
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.
389. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2014; if he will also provide details of all the relevant fees paid to those firms during the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1664/15]
View answerThe information requested in relation to the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by my Department during 2014 is set out in the table. My Department is always mindful of the costs involved in engaging consultants. In line with Department of Finance guidelines for engagement of consultants in the Civil Service, external consultants are engaged only when there is a clear need for specialised external expertise and following a rigorous examination of skills and resources available in-house. The objective of using outside consultants is to ensure that my Department achieves value for money by implementing recommendations for improvements in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.
|
Company Name |
Amount |
|
Fujitsu (Ireland) Ltd. |
€31,016 |
|
Bianconi Research Ltd |
€44,987 |
|
Ryan Hanley, Consultant Engineers |
€60,912 |
390. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the number of EU directives which remain to be implemented within his Department; the names of these directives; the timeframe for the implementation of these directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1790/15]
View answerI am advised that there are no EU directives related to my Department that have yet to be transposed into Irish law.
391. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the number, names and dates of Bills initiated in his Department that have been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas. [1811/15]
View answer392. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the number, names and dates of Bills initiated in his Department since September 2013. [1826/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together. II
I am advised that no bills have been initiated in my Department since September 2013, nor have any bills been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas to date.
