Written Answers Nos. 285 - 293
285. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons who are employed under the aegis of her Department through agencies in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23927/17]
View answer286. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the persons employed in her Department through agencies, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23940/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.
As the Deputy has not stipulated the period of time for which this information is required, I have taken 2017 as the year in question and I can confirm that the number of persons employed in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs through external recruitment agencies in 2017 is 'Nil'.
With regard to the four agencies under the aegis of my Department, the Adoption Authority of Ireland has advised that the number of persons employed by external recruitment agencies in their organisation in 2017 is 'Nil', while the Oberstown Children Detention Campus currently have 6 staff employed through external recruitment agencies.
The detailed information was not readily available from Tusla, and I've asked that they might correspond with you directly in this matter.
The Office of the Ombudsman for Children is independent in its function and reports to the Oireachtas on matters within its remit, as required by the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002.
I have forwarded the question to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and asked that they might correspond with you directly in this matter.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
287. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the monetary value of all work contracted out under the aegis of her Department to external agencies or consultancies for work completed or investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations, including hiring and interviewing staff and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23952/17]
View answerIn relation to my Department, I can confirm that the costs for work contracted out to external agencies and/or consultancy in 2017 is as follows:
|
Company Name |
Subject |
Cost in 2017 |
|
Carr Communications |
Staff Development and Training |
€1,450.00 |
|
Institute of Public Administration |
Staff Development and Training |
€4,349.99 |
|
TF Coaching, Training & Development Solutions |
Staff Development and Training |
€360 |
|
Total Cost |
€6,159.99 |
The information requested in respect of the four agencies under the aegis of my Department is as follows:
(i) Investigations undertaken in human resources and industrial relations for the following:
|
- |
Company |
Subject |
2017 |
|
Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
Graphite HRM |
Grievance |
€1,854.00 |
|
Adoption Authority Ireland |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Total Cost |
- |
- |
€1,854.00 |
(ii) In respect of the provision of external expertise to interview boards and interviewees, the following costs were incurred:
|
Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
Company Name |
2017 |
|
KFV Consulting |
€3,190.00 |
|
|
Positive Interventions |
€1,103.44 |
|
|
Dermot Walsh |
€748.68 |
|
|
Total Cost |
€5,042.12 |
|
|
Adoption Authority Ireland |
The HR Company |
€3,000 |
The Office of the Ombudsman for Children is independent in its function and reports to the Oireachtas on matters within its remit, as required by the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002. I have forwarded the question to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and asked that they might correspond with you directly in this matter. My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.
288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which military intelligence can be enhanced to deal with potential terrorist attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23432/17]
View answerThe White Paper on Defence, published in the Autumn of 2015, considered the security environment, including the threat from terrorist attacks. It notes that the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for protecting the internal security of the State. The Defence Forces provide, on request, supports in aid to the civil power (ATCP) of an ongoing and contingent nature.
In this context, the security environment is kept under constant review. On-going coordination and liaison meetings take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána and, based on on-going threat assessments, the Gardaí and the Defence Forces liaise with regard to possible Defence Forces supports required for a range of contingencies. In this context, I can confirm that there is very active cooperation between An Garda Síochána and Defence Forces.
The White Paper on Defence provides for the on-going development of military capabilities, having regard to the dynamic nature of the security environment.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the availability of equipment such as military hardware throughout all branches of the Defence Forces, with particular reference to meeting needs arising from modern challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23433/17]
View answerMy priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me, and the White Paper on Defence recognises that there are several new and or enhanced platforms to be procured. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment planning priorities planning process.
In this regard, Budget 2017 secured a capital spending allocation of €74 million, representing an increase of €7 million on the 2017 Defence allocation contained in the 2016-21 capital investment programme. This allocation will facilitate the investment necessary to ensure that the Defence Forces have the equipment and infrastructure to deliver on all their roles as set out in the White Paper.
The Army will continue to retain all-arms conventional military capabilities, and the principal aim over the period of the White Paper will be to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements both at home and overseas. There is focus on the essential force protection provided by armoured vehicles, and in this regard a maintenance and upgrade programme has commenced for the current fleet of 80 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) which will seek to ensure viability of the fleet out to 2030. A small number of armoured logistical and utility vehicles are also being procured for force protection.
The White Paper provides that the Air Corps will see the Cessna fleet replaced with three larger aircraft suitably equipped for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance tasks. The tender competition for the procurement of the three new aircraft has commenced with the recent publication of the Request for Tenders on the Etenders website and on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) in accordance with national and EU procurement regulations.
The two CASA 235s Maritime Patrol Aircraft are due for replacement in 2019. The CASAs will be replaced with consideration of their replacement with larger more capable aircraft to enhance maritime surveillance and to provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks.
With regard to training aircraft, a decision was made in 2016 to replace a PC-9M aircraft which was written off following a fatal crash in 2009. The replacement PC-9M aircraft, scheduled for delivery this year from Pilatus Aircraft in Switzerland will bring the fleet up to 8 and will assist in a required increase in pilot training in the Air Corps.
The current Naval Service Ship replacement programme has already seen the replacement of three Naval Service vessels. The White Paper underpins the ongoing replacement of the Naval Service fleet. An agreement was reached in June 2016 for the provision of an additional ship for the Naval Service to be built to the same specifications as the three newest vessels. This ship is scheduled for delivery next year. Future Naval Service capabilities are being planned as part of the White Paper project planning process which will determine the Defence Organisation’s maritime capability requirements.
I am satisfied that the current provisions, together with the courses of action in the White Paper, will continue to ensure that the Defence Forces is suitably equipped, in line with international best practice, to fulfil all roles assigned by Government and to meet and deal with the needs from modern challenges.
290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that all equipment available to the Air Corps, including aircraft and communications technology, is adequately upgraded and updated in accordance with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23434/17]
View answerMy priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable them to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
Future equipment priorities for the Air Corps are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment planning process.
The White Paper provides that the Air Corps will see the Cessna fleet replaced with three larger aircraft suitably equipped for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance tasks. The tender competition for the procurement of the three new aircraft has now commenced with the recent publication of the Request for Tenders on the Etenders website and on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) in accordance with national and EU procurement regulations.
With regard to training aircraft, a decision was made in 2016 to replace a PC-9M aircraft which was written off following a fatal crash in 2009. The replacement PC-9M aircraft, scheduled for delivery this year from Pilatus Aircraft in Switzerland at a cost of €5m plus VAT, will bring the fleet up to 8 and will assist in a required increase in pilot training in the Air Corps.
The White Paper also provides for the replacement of the two CASA 235s Maritime Patrol Aircraft by 2019, with consideration of their replacement with larger more capable aircraft. This would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks.
I am satisfied that the current procurements of aircraft as outlined together with the planned courses of action in the White Paper, will continue to ensure that the Air Corps is suitably equipped, in line with international best practice, to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that all equipment available to the Naval Service, including sea going vessels and communications technology, is adequately upgraded and updated in accordance with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23435/17]
View answerThe acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister with Responsibility for Defence. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards, as required to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government.
The future equipment priorities for the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence.
The current Naval Service ship replacement programme has seen the delivery of three new Naval Service vessels in recent years. In June 2016, agreement was reached with Babcock International for the provision of an additional ship for the Naval Service to be built in their facility in Appledore, Devon. This ship will be the same class as the three newest vessels, LÉ Samuel Beckett which was commissioned in 2014, LÉ James Joyce which was commissioned in 2015, and LÉ William Butler Yeats which was commissioned in October 2016. Delivery of the fourth ship is expected next year.
The White Paper also recognises the requirement to maintain and upgrade vessels having regard to emerging operational requirements and changes in technology, including communications equipment and technology. As such, future Naval Service capabilities are being planned as part of the White Paper project planning process which will determine the Defence Organisation’s maritime capability requirements.
292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions waiting to be filled throughout the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23436/17]
View answerThe Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31 March 2017 was 9,072 personnel, comprising 7,297 Army, 708 Air Corps and 1,067 Naval Service, whole time equivalent.
The following table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 March 2017, based on the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.
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.
In this regard, promotions are ongoing within the Officer ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. A new NCO promotion competition, to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above, has been launched. Promotions from the Order of Merit Lists from this competition will commence in Q3 2017.
It is my intention that promotions will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.
|
- |
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 |
3 4 |
110 |
257 |
306 |
167 |
29 |
32 |
115 |
169 |
973 |
1,438 |
3,880 |
|
Army Strength |
1 |
2 |
6 |
3 4 |
101 |
250 |
255 |
159 |
26 |
30 |
91 |
152 |
834 |
1,344 |
4,012*
|
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
7 |
51 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
24 |
17 |
139 |
94 |
-132 |
|
Air Corps Rank Establishment |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
14 |
36 |
65 |
48 |
8 |
4 |
56 |
14 |
131 |
183 |
324 |
|
Air Corps Strength |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
12 |
33 |
47 |
22 |
7 |
3 |
53 |
11 |
108 |
151 |
257 * |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
18 |
26 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
23 |
32 |
67 |
|
Naval Service Rank Establishment |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
45 |
81 |
41 |
6 |
7 |
75 |
15 |
226 |
180 |
402 |
|
Naval Service Strength |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
51 |
49 |
34 |
6 |
7 |
66 |
13 |
169 |
130 |
526 * |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-6 |
32 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
2 |
57 |
50 |
-124 |
|
Total Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
4 |
101 |
41 |
4 |
3 |
36 |
22 |
219 |
176 |
-189 |
* Figures include 80 Army Cadets, 28 Air Corps Cadets and 22 Naval Service Cadets.
There are an additional 79 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.
293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces currently serving overseas at all ranks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23437/17]
View answerAs of 04 May 2017, Ireland is contributing 575 Defence Forces personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations.
The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 369 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 136 personnel.
The current contribution of some 575 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.
Members of the Permanent Defence Force Serving Overseas
As of 4 th May 2017
1. UN MISSIONS
(i) UNIFIL(United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ - 30
UNIFIL 109th Infantry Battalion - 331
UNIFIL Sector West HQ - 8
(ii) UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria - 2
(iii) MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) - 3
(iv) MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) - 4
(v) UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) HQ (Yafour Damascus) - 1
UNDOF Staff Appointments (Camp Ziouani) - 5
UNDOF 55th Infantry Group (Camp Ziouani) - 130
TOTAL - 524
UN MANDATED MISSIONS
(vi) EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) - 5
(vii) EUTM Mali (EU-Led Training Mission) - 18
(viii) KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo ) HQ - 12
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS - 559
2. ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE)
(i) OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina - 1
(ii) Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna - 1
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH OSCE - 2
3. EU MILITARY STAFF
Brussels - 4
4. MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF
(i) Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York - 1
(ii) Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna - 1
(iii) Military Representative to EU (Brussels) - 4
(iv) Liaison Officer of Ireland, NATO /PfP (Brussels) - 2
(v) EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium - 1
(vi) Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium - 1
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS - 575
The above figure represents 135 Officers, 226 Non Commissioned Officers and 214 Privates.
