Written Answers Nos. 271-275
271. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there are residents of the Curragh camp who are in receipt of a lifetime lease agreement; the number of these agreements in existence; when these agreements were put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21181/17]
View answerThere is one lifetime lease in place. It is in relation to a married quarter property outside the Curragh Camp on Curragh brownlands. The lease was signed 1 November 2010.
Where married quarter properties are located outside barracks they are offered for sale to the occupant and many have been disposed of in this manner. In the case of this particular property, as it is one of only two of its kind in the State and is of historic and architectural interest, it is being retained by the Department.
272. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions he plans to implement in response to incidents (details supplied) in which live rounds were fired into an occupied area to ensure they do not happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21217/17]
View answerThe Military Authorities have informed me that, in accordance with Defence Forces General Routine Order 05/15 “Defence Forces Health and Safety Risk Management Policy”, the General Officer Commanding 1 Brigade has initiated an investigation into the above mentioned incident. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the likely cause of the incident and to recommend actions to prevent a reoccurrence. This investigation is currently on-going and subsequent action will depend on its findings.
273. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the recently advertised assistant secretary post will mean an increase in the number of assistant secretaries in his Department; if so, the reason for this expansion; and the date on which it was approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. [21318/17]
View answerThe Management Board of the Department of Defence currently comprises of the Secretary General, two Assistant Secretaries and a Director. The Department is involved in the delivery of a major programme of policy implementation as set out in the White Paper on Defence. The Department of Defence is engaged in all aspects of Defence policy, from international security and defence, future planning, procurement, property management, human resources and industrial relations, litigation and legislation. The work of the Department also includes financial planning and oversight for the sector and national emergency planning and Civil Defence.
In light of this expanding remit and to ensure best practice in corporate governance, sanction was received on 15 December 2016 from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for an additional Management Board post at Assistant Secretary level. Working in close collaboration with military colleagues, this post will increase the focus on having in place a military and civilian workforce that best delivers Defence outputs in accordance with assigned roles and responsibilities. The cost of the appointment is being met from within the Department’s existing resource envelope.
274. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has sought approval for an additional Naval Service appointment in the Maritime College as requested by the Chief of Staff; if approval has been forthcoming from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and when the position will be filled. [21319/17]
View answerI am advised that, following consultation with the military authorities and based on a submission from military management, my Department sought the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the upgrading of a senior post in the Naval Service. After detailed consideration and following further discussions, that Department recently concluded, on balance, that the case submitted for the upgrade was not persuasive and, in their view, a sufficiently robust case for the proposed upgrading had not been presented.
275. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to engage with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21326/17]
View answerOn receipt of an email communication from the Group referenced by the Deputy, my office confirmed to them that I will be available to meet with them as requested. My officials will be in touch with them to arrange a specific date and time for a meeting.
