Written Answers Nos. 36-46
36. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps he will take to address the low number of female personnel in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16900/16]
View answerThe number of women serving in the Permanent Defence Force at 31st May 2016 was 546, which represented 6% of the overall strength of the PDF at that date.
The number of women serving in the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve on the same date was 285 (effective), which represents 13% of the effective strength at that date.
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.
The Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties and all promotions and career courses are open to both sexes on merit.
A key impediment in achieving greater numbers of women serving in the Defence Forces is the lack of women recruitment applicants relative to men. This may be as a result of societal perception and attitudes to female soldiers and officers. There have been a number of recent initiatives to encourage greater female participation. This has included social media campaigns, advertising targeted at women, and school visits and career exhibitions.
Over the course of the White Paper, further initiatives will be developed to encourage more women to apply for the Defence Forces and to increase female participation at all ranks. This will include a survey to identify any impediments to the advancement of women in the PDF, including the impact of the requirements of career courses and overseas service on female retention and advancement.
37. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of a recruitment drive to the Reserve Defence Forces (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16896/16]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the White Paper on Defence published in 2015 reaffirms the Government’s commitment to the ongoing development of the Reserve Defence Forces.
Among other policy initiatives to be undertaken in the coming years in relation to the Reserve, the White Paper provides that the overarching establishment of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) is to be set at 4,169 personnel, consisting of 3,869 Army Reservists and the expansion of the establishment of the four NSR Units from currently 200 personnel to 300.
As the Deputy will appreciate a key challenge is to recruit and train sufficient personnel to meet the reserve establishment provided for.
Generally speaking recruitment campaigns are conducted on an annual ongoing basis. The current recruitment competition started in September 2015. It has currently been paused, on an administrative basis, as the Defence Forces are administering the recruitment campaign for candidates to enter the Permanent Defence Forces. I am advised that it is intended to recommence the campaign for the Reservists in the coming months.
The Deputy can be assured that I share his belief in the value of providing young people with range of unique life experiences which can be got from participation in both the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces.
38. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the operations of the Naval headquarters in County Cork and the impact of the planned waste incinerator currently in the planning permission process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16651/16]
View answerThe Department of Defence, following consultation with the Air Corps and the Naval Service, recently made an oral submission to an Bord Pleanála regarding the proposed development of the waste to energy facility in Ringaskiddy. The submission identified two areas of concern, the proximity of the incinerator stack to Haulbowline and the difficulties in the evacuation of the island if necessitated by an incident at the incinerator facility.
The proximity of the stack of the waste-to-energy facility to the helicopter approach paths of Haulbowline Naval Base and Spike Island is a matter of concern due to the fact that this stack will be emitting significant amounts of exhaust gases and is seen by the Department as a potential hazard as it may in certain conditions render approaches by Air Corps helicopters into and out of Haulbowline Island as unsafe.
The second area of concern is due to the fact that Haulbowline Island is accessed by a bridge which is connected to the Ringaskiddy Road. The proposed incinerator is to be built adjacent to this road, before Haulbowline. Therefore, in the event of any accident at the incinerator, road access to and from Haulbowline is threatened. This could in some instances hinder the operation of the Naval Base or in the event of a major incident necessitating local area evacuation, the evacuation of Haulbowline would be denied.
39. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is making progress in negotiations with residents in the Curragh Camp in County Kildare who have been threatened with eviction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16865/16]
View answerThe policy is to withdraw the provision of married quarters to serving personnel as they are no longer required for the modern soldier.
Personnel who leave the Defence Forces or who vacate a married quarter property are required to return vacant possession of that property. Most observe this requirement.
Failure to vacate the property means that those remaining are overholding as they have no right to hold or reside in military accommodation.
The ongoing illegal occupation of these properties cannot be supported. The Department does not have a role in the provision of housing accommodation for the general public. It cannot subsidise housing for people who have no entitlement and who may well have the means to supply housing for themselves.
Each case of overholding is dealt with on an individual basis. It is always preferable not to have to use legal means to obtain vacant possession. My officials have met with a number of overholders to discuss and examine what assistance can be provided to bring about a resolution.
Securing alternative housing is a matter for the individuals concerned. In certain cases individuals may qualify for social housing or some level of housing assistance. When requested to do so the Department provides whatever documentation it can to support such applications.
Our engagement with overholders is ongoing. Legal advice is also being sought in relation to possible agreed solutions. It is hoped that the discussions will provide an opportunity for both sides to work together in order to bring about a resolution to the problem.
We are aware of a small number of overholders who are particularly vulnerable and the deputy can be assured that they will be treated in an appropriately sensitive manner.
40. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to restore the three brigade structure to the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16892/16]
View answerFollowing a comprehensive review of expenditure carried out in 2011, the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was established at 9,500 personnel.
It was clear from the review that the three brigade structure was no longer viable, particularly when compared to international norms. Accordingly, a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces, encompassing the consolidation of the three under-strength brigades into two full strength brigades, took place. The decision to move to a two brigade structure involved full consultation with the Defence Forces, and final proposals approved by the then Minister for Defence were agreed between the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General. Key aspects of this re-organisation, which was introduced in 2012, included 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.
The revised two brigade structure has optimised the capacity of the Defence Forces to deliver the required operational outputs, within available resources, and to continue to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. A return to a three brigade structure would cause a range of unnecessary inefficiencies, such as an increased administrative burden arising from the need to re-introduce a layer of non-operational middle management, and a return to under-strength units.
The White Paper on Defence 2015 resulted from a wide ranging consultation process and a comprehensive examination of Defence requirements over the next decade. It provides for retention of the Army’s two existing infantry Brigades and the Defence Forces Training Centre, and for measures to further enhance the capabilities of the Army Ranger Wing. Furthermore, the recently agreed Programme for a Partnership Government specifically provides for implementation of the White Paper. In all of these circumstances, I have no plans to make changes to the existing two brigade structure.
41. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the development of a new institute for leadership and peacekeeping studies at the Defence Forces Training Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16864/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to develop a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh. This commitment was also reflected in the White Paper on Defence, published in August 2015, which sets out the policy framework for the Defence Organisation for the next ten years and beyond. It is foreseen that the new Institute will have international standing and contribute to the overall development of knowledge and experience in the areas of peace support, leadership and conflict resolution.
Good progress has been made since publication of the White Paper in development of the concept for the Institute. This has included intial consultation with national and international third level and research institutes and potential philanthropic contributors. While some further consultation with these and other organisations is required, an Institute Development Task Force to progress the concept and develop an implementation plan is now being established. It is also planned to hold a major international symposium to debate and consider the role which Ireland and the Institute can play in Peace and Leadership and to advise on the initial programme for the Institute.
In its Public Capital Programme, the Government has allocated an initial €10 million for a capital building programme towards financing the construction of this new Institute in the Curragh. I hope to showcase the initial shape of the Institute once specific timescales for the establishment and roll out of the proposal have been identified by the Institute Development Task Force.
42. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the weapons and equipment his Department or the Defence Forces purchased in each of the years 2014 to 2016 to date; that they plan to purchase in the coming year, detailing the value and nature of the purchase and the country and companies from which these purchases were or will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16894/16]
View answerThe Defence Organisation routinely publishes details of Purchase Orders for goods and services valued at more than €20,000. This information is published on the Department of Defence website – www.defence.ie.
The Department has published details of Purchase Orders including those placed for weapons and equipment by the Defence Organisation for the years 2014 and 2015. I am advised that a small number of Purchase Orders for that timeframe were excluded from the published list for security and operational reasons.
Details of Purchase Orders placed for the first quarter of 2016 are currently being compiled and will be published shortly.
Weapons and equipment procurement requirements for the Defence Forces are kept under constant review. The White Paper on Defence sets out the key capability requirements for the coming decade and the major equipment projects that will be implemented for the Defence Forces. There is a rigorous planning and decision making process in place which underpins equipment procurement priorities.
A significant amount of the information sought by the Deputy is included in the information as already published. However, further details in relation to this information are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
43. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the properties Department or agencies under its remit leased; the number it leased on upward-only rents; the number of the lessors that are involved with the National Asset Management Agency or any of the State banks; and the details of each lease. [16608/16]
View answerAll properties occupied by my Department are provided by the Office of Public Works. My Department does not lease any properties.
44. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of persons on the national minimum wage and their percentage of the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16537/16]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is currently not available.
The National Employment Survey, which provided statistics on the structure of earnings, was discontinued in 2010 due to resource constraints.
However, the CSO is currently completing a project to provide corresponding statistics for the years 2011 to 2014 by using administrative data sources rather than direct surveying of businesses.
For this project, the CSO is analysing Revenue P35 data for employees, combined with other statistical and administrative data sources, to provide a structural breakdown of earnings by age, gender, occupation, sector and other variables.
All of the analysis is being conducted by the CSO under the Statistics Act, 1993.
The results for the years 2011 to 2014 will be published before the end of July 2016 and the requested tables will be provided as soon as the results are available.
45. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of persons on zero-hour contracts and their percentage of the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16538/16]
View answer46. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of persons on if-and-when contracts and their percentage of the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16539/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State.
The most recent figures available are for Q1 2016.
Table 1 shows the number of employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over classified by permanency of job from Q1 2008 to Q1 2016.
Table 2 shows the number of employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over not in permanent employment classified by reasons for being in temporary employment from Q1 2008 to Q1 2016.
Table 3 shows the number of employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over with temporary job/work contract of limited duration as a percentage of total employees (including not stated) from Q1 2008 to Q1 2016.
Table 1 Employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over classified by permanency of job
'000
|
Q1 08 |
Q1 09 |
Q1 10 |
Q1 11 |
Q1 12 |
Q1 13 |
Q1 14 |
Q1 15 |
Q1 16 |
|
|
Person has a permanent job or work contract of unlimited duration |
1,610.0 |
1,501.2 |
1,415.7 |
1,371.5 |
1,350.1 |
1,364.5 |
1,391.9 |
1,445.1 |
1,486.3 |
|
Person has a temporary job/work contract of limited duration |
139.8 |
135.5 |
139.6 |
150.7 |
157.1 |
145.1 |
142.5 |
134.7 |
126.4 |
|
Not stated |
22.0 |
11.3 |
13.9 |
13.7 |
15.8 |
17.7 |
21.1 |
18.7 |
23.7 |
|
Total |
1,771.9 |
1,648.0 |
1,569.2 |
1,535.9 |
1,523.0 |
1,527.3 |
1,555.5 |
1,598.6 |
1,636.4 |
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: q1 = January - March.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
Table 2 Employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over not in permanent employment classified by reasons for being in temporary employment
'000
|
Q1 08 |
Q1 09 |
Q1 10 |
Q1 11 |
Q1 12 |
Q1 13 |
Q1 14 |
Q1 15 |
Q1 16 |
|
|
It is a contract covering a period of training |
5.7 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
[2.9] |
5.2 |
17.4 |
16.9 |
16.9 |
16.5 |
|
Person could not find a permanent job |
23.4 |
28.4 |
37.6 |
42.4 |
50.1 |
77.2 |
75.2 |
71.9 |
64 |
|
Person did not want a permanent job |
29.5 |
19.4 |
18.5 |
17.9 |
15.2 |
18.1 |
18.6 |
20.2 |
17.6 |
|
It is a contract for a probationary period |
: |
: |
: |
: |
: |
[3.8] |
5.3 |
[4.7] |
* |
|
Not stated |
81.2 |
82.9 |
78.1 |
87.6 |
86.7 |
28.6 |
26.6 |
21.1 |
24.7 |
|
Total |
139.8 |
135.5 |
139.6 |
150.7 |
157.1 |
145.1 |
142.5 |
134.7 |
126.4 |
Note: Caution is warranted in comparing data captured from Q2 2012 to prior periods due to change in filter for question and adding of additional answer option impacting upon direct comparability of series.
: No data available
Data may be subject to future revision.
* Estimates for numbers of persons or averages where there are less than 30 persons in a cell are not produced as estimates are too small to be considered reliable.
Parentheses [ ] indicate where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change .
Reference period: q1 = January - March.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
Table 3 Employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over with temporary job/work contract of limited duration as a percentage of total employees (including not stated)
%
|
Q1 08 |
Q1 09 |
Q1 10 |
Q1 11 |
Q1 12 |
Q1 13 |
Q1 14 |
Q1 15 |
Q1 16 |
|
|
Employees (ILO) aged 15 years and over with temporary job/work contract of limited duration as a percentage of total employees (including not stated) |
7.9 |
8.2 |
8.9 |
9.8 |
10.3 |
9.5 |
9.2 |
8.4 |
7.7 |
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: q1 = January - March.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
