Rapid Response Initiative

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2015

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

Questions (107, 108, 109)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

107. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the number of military personnel, by rank, who are on the Irish Aid Rapid Response Corps roster. [34774/15]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

108. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the number of military personnel, by rank, for whom Irish Aid has requested releases under the sustainable livelihoods approach. [34775/15]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

109. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the number of military personnel, by rank, who have been refused release to Irish Aid from the Defence Forces. [34776/15]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 to 109, inclusive, together.

It is the policy of my Department to seek to develop Memorandums of Understanding and Service Level Agreements with other Government Departments and agencies in relation to the provision of supports that may be sought from the Defence Forces in respect of their Aid to Civil Authority role. In this context a Service Level Agreement (SLA) came into effect on 31st October, 2013 following agreement between my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as represented by Irish Aid, regarding the support that can be provided by the Defence Forces for the Rapid Response Initiative.

Prior to this, Irish Aid had established a Rapid Response Corps in 2007 which is a roster of both civilian and military volunteers who are available to deploy with the United Nations for humanitarian operations. In addition to making provision for members of the Defence Forces who have volunteered to register with the Rapid Response Corps, the SLA also provides for Defence Forces support in the provision of pre-deployment training courses for all members of the Rapid Response Corps.

There are currently 13 Defence Forces personnel registered with the Rapid Response Corps, of which there are five Commandants, two Captains, one Lieutenant, one Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS), one Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) and three Sergeants. In accordance with the SLA, the Defence Forces seek to release registered personnel for immediate deployment in response to a formal request from Irish Aid, subject to the availability of such personnel and current and contingent operational commitments.

The following table sets out the number of military personnel, broken down by rank, whose release was sought by Irish Aid and the number of instances when such requests could not be acceded to.

		31st October to end 2013		2014		2015 to-date
Rank	Sought	Refused	Sought	Refused	Sought	Refused
Commandant	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Captain	2	Nil	1	1	1	Nil
Lieutenant	1	Nil	2	Nil	Nil	Nil
RQMS	Nil	Nil	1	1	2	1
CQMS	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	1	1
Sergeant	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	3	Nil