Written Answers Nos. 644-665
644. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she has taken to protect jobs at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25920/17]
View answerThe news that jobs will be lost at this company was very disappointing, both for the employees and for the local area. I understand that the company’s decision follows a global commercial review by the US owners. It is not in any way connected to the performance of the workers or the competitiveness of the Irish economy.
The Government has done everything it could to avert this decision. The IDA explored with the company whether changes could made to its operating model in order to safeguard the jobs of its Irish workers. Senior Agency officials also met with the parent company in the US to discuss other possible ways to avoid job losses here in Ireland. Unfortunately, however, it was not possible for the company to change course.
The Government will, of course, make every State support available to those employees affected. The relevant Departments and State Agencies will work collectively to help workers transition and find new employment opportunities. This will include the provision of re-training, if required.
645. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a matter (details supplied) following the judges' comments regarding the conduct of the investigation by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. [25921/17]
View answer646. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will invoke section 955 of the Companies Act 2014 which empowers her to seek a report on a matter from the ODCE or when requested to account to a committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas following the collapse of a trial (details supplied). [25922/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 645 and 646 together.
The investigative shortcomings of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) identified by Judge John Aylmer in this case are unacceptable. They fell far short of the standard impartial, unbiased and thorough investigation we expect and demand.
I have written to the Director of Corporate Enforcement on Wednesday May 24, requesting a report under section 955(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2014. This report is to outline issues arising from the investigations by the ODCE into Anglo Irish Bank since 2008. In particular, I have ordered that the report include an explanation of the following:
- the coaching of witness statements;
- late disclosure of documents;
- a perceived bias by ODCE investigators;
- the shredding of documents; and
- any other relevant matters.
I expect this report to be finalised as a matter of urgency and no later than June 23rd. I have already stated in this House that I will consider all options to ensure mistakes of this nature cannot reoccur. This includes procedures, organisational change, enhanced powers, legislative solutions or an entirely new model.
647. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which her Department determines capitation payments to the various qualifications of FETAC within the child care sector (details supplied); the mechanism of assessment applied to capitation payments paid to non-FETAC-qualified persons in the child care sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25272/17]
View answerAs part of the introduction of a minimum qualification standard for work in the Early Years sector, my Department has put in place a range of supports for those working in the sector. This included the publication of the DCYA Early Years Qualifications list, which itemises qualifications that meet the required standards. Anyone with a qualification on this list is automatically approved for work in the sector.
This list is very comprehensive and encompasses Irish and international qualifications. My Department also provides individual statements, on application, in instances where a person holds a qualification that is appropriate for work in the Early Years sector, but for various reasons, cannot be added to the published list.
The Further Education and Training Award Council (FETAC) was wound up in November 2012, and its functions transferred to Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Relevant FETAC awards are accepted by my Department for work in the sector and these are itemised on the published list. My Department does not use FETAC awards as a standard. My Department does not, and has never, distinguished between FETAC awards and other types of award for purposes of payment or any other purpose.
In assessing a qualification, my Department takes both the content of the programme of learning and the award level of the final award achieved into account. By award level, we refer to the level at which the award is placed on the National Framework of Qualification (NFQ). The NFQ is both a national and international standard, as it is linked to the European Qualifications Framework, an overarching framework that links the qualifications frameworks of different European countries together. Management of the NFQ is a function of QQI and DCYA will adhere at all times to advice provided by QQI in relation to award levels. All awards are subject to the same standards of assessment.
Within the ECCE scheme, there are two rates of capitation paid. The standard capitation rate is paid to the majority of services, where the room leader of the ECCE group holds a relevant qualification at Level 6 on the NFQ or equivalent. The Higher Capitation rate is paid to services that meet the criteria for that rate, one of which is that the room leader of the ECCE group holds a relevant qualification at Level 7 on the NFQ or equivalent. It should be noted that the wording given here mirrors that of the minimum standard as set out in the regulations, and also that used in the ECCE contract with Early Years’ service providers. Where we use the word ‘equivalent’, this is to allow for international qualifications and for qualifications which were never linked to an appropriate level on the NFQ.
The award of the person in question is on the DCYA published list of approved Early Years qualifications. My Department has been advised that the award pre-dated award standards such as the NFQ, but that the designation of this award as being appropriate to a room leader at the standard rate of capitation is appropriate. This decision was taken subject to advice from the Department of Education Early Years Policy unit, QQI and St Nicholas Montessori College, Ireland.
648. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal received an acknowledgement from the local Tusla office of a freedom of information request which was addressed to and received by a separate third party; the way in which this error occurred; the way in which the agency came to hold a third party's information on file; if her attention has been drawn to the serious breach in confidentiality and data protection which such an action has caused to the privacy of the correspondent in this case; if she will instruct the agency to issue a full apology and explanation to the person involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25280/17]
View answerThe information supplied by the Deputy has been raised with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The issue of data protection is of the highest importance, both to my Department and to Tusla.
Tusla has advised that an apology and explanation will be issued to the person concerned, and that this is in progress. I have also requested Tusla to furnish me with a report into this matter as a matter of urgency.
649. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to reconsider the level of funding provided for the early years capital funding scheme 2017; if her attention has been drawn to concerns that the level of funding is insufficient to meet the demands of the sector; the reason private child care facilities are not eligible to access funding under strand 2 of the capital funding scheme; the reason for the short timeframe set out within the guidelines to complete the application; her views on whether it will be extremely difficult to have building works completed by the 30 November 2017 deadline; her plans to extend this deadline; her further plans to support private child care practitioners in a more comprehensive manner to ensure that sufficient child care places will be made available; if she will ensure that all future funding schemes will be open to all child care providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25334/17]
View answer€4m in funding has been made available under three funding strands to childcare services in respect of capital projects related to pre-school age children. I understand that there has been a large volume of applications and these are currently being evaluated by Pobal, with a view to making recommendations as to which of these are suitable for funding. Once these recommendations have been received I will be in a position to consider whether the level of funding provided is sufficient.
Strand two of the funding scheme relates to community childcare services constructed under previous capital programmes, and this strand aims to provide funding for maintenance/repair, to protect the state's investment in these facilities - a consideration that does not apply to private services. I would however point out that private facilities were eligible to apply for the vast majority of funding available - €3m out of the total €4m. The timing of the announcement of this capital programme and the deadlines for application were in line with recent capital programmes operated by the Department, and the volume of applications received indicates that most services did not have significant difficulties in applying. I do acknowledge that it will be difficult to have significant building works completed by 30 November 2017 deadline - it is a requirement of capital expenditure that funds be spent in the year in which they are allocated; and I will be consulting with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to establish what flexibility can be offered to childcare services in this regard.
I will consider further capital expenditure to support both community and private childcare facilities in the context of Budget 2018. It is important to bear in mind that capital expenditure is only one strand of support available to childcare providers - the deputy will be aware that I have recently I announced a substantial increase to subsidies provided under existing childcare schemes, specifically the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Schemes from September 2017, in some cases by as much as 50%. This will provide significant additional funding to families but also to services. I have also taken steps to provide payment to childcare services for ‘non-contact time’ for the first time, and this will be available in summer 2017. A total of €14.5 million is available across community and private services to recognise the increasing volume of work done outside of direct contact hours with children. These are in addition to the restoration of ECCE rates to pre-crisis levels last year.
650. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she will take to get a commitment from religious orders not to sell off any of the mother and baby homes until a cemetery and monument are in place at each home. [25599/17]
View answerIn the first instance, it is important to appreciate that these institutions ceased operating many decades ago. The reality is that many of the buildings and sites which accommodated Mother and Baby Homes and County Homes have evolved significantly in the intervening years. These locations are now being used for a wide array of different activities and purposes, ranging from housing estates to private health care facilities and hotels. In some cases little remains of the former institutions and the locations are not in public ownership.
In relation to cemeteries at these sites, available information does not indicate that we should expect burials on the sites of all the former institutions. The remains of children who died in a number of the Mother and Baby Homes were buried in what are generally known as Angel Plots in local cemeteries. For example, I understand that the children who died while resident in St. Patrick's Mother and Baby Home on the Navan Road were frequently interred in the Angel's plot in Glasnevin cemetery. The Commission has been directly tasked with examining the burial arrangements in respect of these institutions and it will consider available records and witness testimony. Further actions will be informed by the outcome of the Commission's investigations.
On the wider question of monuments, I recognise the importance and value of memorials and other forms of commemoration for former residents of mother and baby homes and their families. I want to advance appropriate measures as part of a transitional justice approach prior to the Commission completing its work.
651. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 676 of 23 May 2017, if, prior to the current matters before the courts, her Department's definition of "child" included the unborn child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25600/17]
View answerThe definition of the child as used by my Department is that which is intended in relevant legislative provisions and in Article 42A of Bunreacht na hÉireann. The legislative provisions are outlined below and are engaged once a child is born.
In the Child Care Act 1991 a child is defined in section 2 in the same way as in the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and the Children First Act 2015 as meaning “a person under the age of 18 years other than a person who is or has been married.” In the Adoption Act 2010 a child is defined as “any person who is under the age of 18 years.”
In the Children Act 2001 there are three separate definitions of child:
- “a person under the age of 18 years”;
- a person under 18 in relation to whom a detention order is in force and also a person of 18 years or over in relation to whom a children detention order is in force and in relation to whom a determination has been made by the Director;
- “a child under 17 years of age”.
More generally, definitions in frameworks and strategies relevant to my Department are set out below. These provide examples and evidence of the policy approach as implemented by my Department in this regard.
In Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures – The national policy framework for children and young people 2014-202 and the National Youth Strategy 2015-2020 a child is defined as “any person under the age of 18 years, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.” The National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making 2015-2020 uses definitions consistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
In my Department’s view, these definitions do not extend to the unborn.
652. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25719/17]
View answerIn 1994 the Department of Social Welfare opened a grant scheme to provide counselling supports to children who had experienced bereavement or loss. This grant scheme then passed to the Family Support Agency (FSA) when it was established in 2003 and subsequently to Tusla on establishment in January 2014.
Up until 2011 applications were invited through an annual public advertisement, however in 2011 due to austerity, this scheme was closed and no new applications have been accepted. Since 2011 the grantees who received funding in 2011 have continued to receive an annual grant equivalent to their 2011 grant. This Counselling Grants Scheme is for a total of €245,900 annually and currently there are only 64 grantees nationwide benefitting from this scheme. With over 4,000 schools in Ireland 64 grantees means that less than 2% of schools are in receipt of support from this scheme currently.
The Counselling Grants Scheme which was originally established to provide counselling support for children affected by bereavement or loss was affected by austerity cuts in 2010. The need for bereavement and loss counselling still exists in schools right around the country however without a significantly increased budget it is unfair and unethical to continue providing support to a small number of areas (64 grantees) while excluding all other schools from the scheme. Opening up the scheme nationally with a current budget allocation of €245,000 is not an option as this equates to less than €60 per school. Hence the decision was made to cease the scheme in its current format.
Tusla Educational Welfare Services is very supportive of the provision of appropriate school counselling supports and the option of continuing the scheme with adequate funding to provide the opportunity to all schools and School Completion Programmes nationally. All School Completion Programmes have been requested to identify unmet needs as part of their annual plan for 2017/18. Responses identifying gaps in service, including counselling provision for bereavement and loss, are currently being reviewed by Tusla Educational Welfare Service and a report will be forwarded to my Department when this process is complete.
653. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated date of delivery for the affordable child care scheme. [25748/17]
View answerI recently announced a range of measures that will be introduced this September to make childcare more affordable for thousands of families throughout Ireland. This honours a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
The measures I am putting in place will ensure that parents of tens of thousands of children due to benefit under the Affordable Childcare Scheme will be given the opportunity to avail of increased childcare subsidies from September. These measures include:
- a new universal, non-means tested childcare subsidy that will benefit parents with children aged between 6 months and 36 months in registered childcare; and
- increased subsidy rates, in some cases by as much as 50%, that will be provided under existing schemes, specifically the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Schemes.
I remain strongly committed to introducing the Affordable Childcare Scheme and will do so at the earliest possible date. My Department has made good progress in this regard. The Government has approved the Heads of Bill for the Scheme, and officials are working intensively to plan for successful implementation of the Scheme. However, I am conscious that this is a complex project which we must get right from the beginning. We need to have the legislation, business processes and a new robust IT system in place. We will need to test the scheme rigorously to ensure that it works properly so that families can easily see their entitlements.
My officials are working intensively to deliver the scheme as quickly as possible, but I believe that it is prudent to take time to ensure we get the new systems right, so that they operate smoothly for everyone. I want to build a system that will underpin childcare supports for children and investment in the childcare sector for years to come. We are well on our way to introducing the Affordable Childcare Scheme. When fully operational it will be a state of the art system which will be capable of delivering, not just for this generation of children, but also for generations to come.
654. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the single affordable child care scheme will be ready in September 2017 as promised; if not, the way in which parents will manage child care placements for the school year if they do not know the cost of their child care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25849/17]
View answerOn 11 April, I made an announcement that the Affordable Childcare Scheme would not commence this September but that a range of measures will be introduced by my Department to make childcare more affordable for thousands of families throughout Ireland. This honours a key commitment in the Programme for Government. I can confirm that these measures, which will benefit the families of tens of thousands of children, will commence this September.
A new universal subsidy will be available for all children aged between 6 months and 3 years of age (or until they are eligible for ECCE e.g 3 years 3 months) in registered childcare. This will amount to as much as €80 a month or €1,000 per year for children in full time childcare.
In addition, subsidies provided under existing childcare schemes, specifically the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Schemes have been increased significantly, in some cases by as much as 50%. To illustrate the effect of this increase, the highest subsidy provided under the CCS scheme for full time childcare in 2016 was €95 per week. This will increase to €145 per week from September. This should decrease the co-payment required by families who qualify and therefore make childcare more accessible and affordable to these families; assisting them in their return to training and employment and lifting them out of poverty.
These subsidies, both universal and targeted, will be available through childcare services who contract with my Department to deliver the schemes. The schemes are open to 4,500 community (not-for-profit) and private providers across the country.
In order to ensure that parents and childcare providers are aware of the changes to the schemes this September, a comprehensive information campaign is underway. Information packs have been sent to over 4,000 registered childcare providers and an information road show for providers will commence in the coming weeks in eight locations throughout the country.
A dedicated website has been launched (affordablechildcare.ie) and information for parents went live on this website on Monday 29th May to inform them of the various enhanced childcare supports they may qualify for this September. A campaign via various media, including digital and radio, will also raise awareness among parents.
I remain strongly committed to introducing the Affordable Childcare Scheme at the earliest possible opportunity. My Department has made good progress in this regard. The Government has approved the Heads of Bill for the Scheme, and officials are working intensively to plan for successful introduction of the Scheme. However, I am conscious that this is a complex project which we must get right from the beginning. We need to have the legislation, business processes and a new robust IT system in place. We will need to test the scheme rigorously to ensure that it works properly so that families can quickly see their entitlements.
My officials are working as fast as possible, but I believe that it is prudent to take time to ensure we get the new systems right, so that they operate smoothly for everyone. I want to build a system that will underpin childcare supports for children and investment in the childcare sector for years to come. We are well on our way to introducing the Affordable Childcare Scheme. When fully operational it will be a state of the art system which will be capable of delivering, not just for this generation of children, but also for generations to come.
655. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding for after-school care for infants will be provided for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25856/17]
View answerMy Department provides funding for childcare services, which includes support for after school childcare services. An interdepartmental group chaired by my Department with officials from the Department of Education and Skills, finalised an Action Plan for School Age Childcare which was published in early March 2017. Under the plan, capital funding of €3m is being made available by my Department in 2017 to support increased capacity for the provision of school age childcare, as well as for improving the quality of the service provided by existing school age childcare services. The closing date for receipt of applications under this programme (via Pobal) was 17th May 2017 and the applications received are currently being evaluated.
From the information provided by the Deputy, my Officials were unable to ascertain if an application for funding under this programme was received from this school.
656. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the 2014 internal Air Corps report was made available to the independent third party appointed to investigate protected disclosures regarding health and safety issues at Casement Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25557/17]
View answerAs I indicated to the Deputy in my letter of 17 May 2017, an internal report was compiled by the Air Corps in 2014. The report was compiled at the request of the State Claims Agency in relation to a particular litigation case and as such is litigation privileged.
In line with the terms of reference for the Independent Review into alleged failings of the Air Corps in the area of Health and Safety with regard to the use of toxic chemicals, the Reviewer has been provided with any documentation requested. In addition, I have arranged for additional material provided to me by those that made the disclosures to be made available to the Reviewer, based on legal advice.
Once a final review is to hand, I will determine any further steps required and ensure that all recommendations will be acted upon to ensure the safety of the men and women of the Air Corps.
657. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he or his predecessor were provided with the 2014 internal Air Corps report on health and safety issues at Casement Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25558/17]
View answer658. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department or the military authorities have provided the reason Air Corps inspection reports carried out by Forbairt in the 1990s have gone missing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25559/17]
View answer659. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the 2014 internal Air Corps report on health and safety issues at Casement Aerodrome prompted a review of health and safety management at the aerodrome at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25560/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 657 to 659, inclusive, together.
The position with regard to these reports is as set out in my letter to the Deputy dated 17 May 2017. As outlined in my letter, the internal report was compiled in relation to a litigation case.
The Deputy will be aware that during 2016 the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) conducted inspections at the Air Corps premises at Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel on three occasions, following which the HSA issued its Report of Inspection to the Air Corps. In late 2016, the Air Corps wrote to the HSA outlining its proposed improvement plan and indicating that the Air Corps is fully committed to implementing the improved safety measures to ensure risks are as low as reasonably practicable.
This improvement plan is being conducted over eight phases. The military authorities have advised me that six of the eight phases have now been fully completed and a further phase is progressing well and will be completed shortly. The final phase is a continuous ongoing process.
660. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the responsibilities of his Department with regard to a protected structure (details supplied) owned by his Department and leased to a local authority; if there is funding available from his Department or other organs of the State to assist in the cost of making safe and restoring the structure to use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25578/17]
View answerMy officials have advised that they have received no contact from Limerick County Council regarding Plassey (Black) Bridge. However, my officials are available to discuss this matter with Limerick County Council if requested to do so.
661. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel that can be transferred by an individual Air Corps helicopter. [25593/17]
View answerThe Air Corps’ fleet includes eight general purpose helicopters comprising six Agusta Westland AW139 and two Eurocopter EC135 aircraft.
Each AW139 helicopter is certified to carry a maximum of 14 personnel including crew. Each EC135 helicopter is certified to carry a maximum of seven personnel including crew.
662. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the percentage increase in the Army Ranger Wing, Sciathán Fianóglach an Airm, since the publication of the White Paper on Defence in 2015. [25594/17]
View answerThe Army Ranger Wing (ARW) are the Special Operations Forces of the Defence Forces. In this context, the ARW are trained and equipped to undertake a range of specialist roles. Details with regard to the strength of the ARW are not released into the public domain for security and operational reasons.
The White Paper on Defence (2015) sets out the capability agenda for the Defence Forces for the next decade. It contains a commitment to further enhance the capabilities of the ARW. Work to identify a range of options in this regard is ongoing as part of the implementation of the White Paper.
663. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the specific actions he has undertaken under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to contribute to the national mitigation plan. [25697/17]
View answerThe objective of Ireland’s first National Mitigation Plan is to set out what Ireland is doing and is planning to do to further the national transition objective set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.
Following a statutory public consultation in March and April, work on the development of the first Plan is nearing completion and my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment intends to submit it to Government for approval in early June. The draft Plan has been prepared having regard to the provisions set out in the 2015 Act and through close collaboration across all relevant Government Departments and, in particular, with the key Ministers responsible for the four sectors covered by the Plan: Electricity Generation; the Built Environment; Transport; and Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use. This work has been overseen by an inter-Departmental National Mitigation Plan Steering Group, as well as by both the Senior Officials Group, and the Cabinet Committee, on Infrastructure, Climate Action and the Environment. Technical support has been provided to all the sectors by the Technical Research and Modelling Group which operates under the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.
In addition, the Climate Change Advisory Council was invited, following publication of the draft National Mitigation Plan, to engage directly with the Department of Communication, Climate Action and the Environment and with other relevant Government Ministers with a view to providing recommendations to feed into the preparation of the final Plan. All input received from the Advisory Council has been considered in finalising the National Mitigation Plan.
It must also be recognised that the first Plan is a work in progress reflecting the reality of where we are in our decarbonisation transition having regard to a number of factors including curtailed public and private investment over the course of recent years. The first Plan cannot, therefore, provide a complete roadmap to achieve the national transition objective to 2050 but it will begin the process of development of medium- to long-term options to ensure that we are well positioned to take the necessary actions in the next and future decades. This will be an ongoing process aimed at incremental and permanent decarbonisation. The Plan will become a living document: it will be made accessible on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment’s website; will be subject to annual progress reports; and will be updated on an on-going basis as analysis, dialogue and technological innovation generate further cost-effective sectoral mitigation options.
The Defence Organisation takes a very proactive approach to energy efficiency by monitoring energy consumption on an on-going basis and carrying out a number of energy saving projects each year.
In compliance with ISO 50001 certification the Defence Forces have a particular emphasis on design and acquisition in relation to the built environment. The Defence Forces, as a large energy user, are the subject of annual internal energy management reviews and external audits as part of their ISO 5001 compliance. In addition the Defence Forces have undertaken a number of initiatives to maximise the energy performance of its transport fleet, including:
- Driver initiatives promoting slower speeds and less idling of engines.
- Purchasing a fleet of cars which replaced 4x4 vehicles. These new vehicles have higher fuel efficiency and less CO2 emissions.
In aviation, start-up procedures for helicopters are being reviewed in consultation with Aircraft manufacturers in order to reduce fuel consumption and the concept of leaner burning flights is being promoted in consultation with pilots.
I am committed to ensuring that building on the work of the Defence Organisation to date, the Defence sector plays its part in the National Mitigation Plan once adopted.
664. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 17 May 2017, if the number of specialist field engineer companies of the Army was reduced from three to two in the 2012 reorganisation; and if so, the way in which he can then state that the ability of the Defence Forces to adequately respond to specialist engineer aid to the civil authority contingency requirements has not as a consequence been negatively impacted. [25818/17]
View answerThe re-organisation of the Defence Forces in 2012 was focussed on enhancing its operational capacity to the greatest extent possible. In line with the consolidation of under-strength units into a smaller number of full strength units, the number of field engineer companies was reduced from three to two. This facilitated an increase in the establishment strength of a field engineer company from 88 to 103 personnel, whilst an Engineer Support Platoon, based at the Defence Forces Training Centre, comprises a further 22 personnel.
As stated in my answer to the previous question referred to, I am satisfied that the re-organisation has led to an improvement in the deployability and sustainability of the Defence Forces, both at home and overseas, and has allowed it to continue to fulfil all roles assigned in the White Paper on Defence.
Clearly, the Defence Forces provided very significant assistance to the emergency services fighting gorse fires in Counties Sligo and Galway recently. In this regard, it should be noted that gorse fire fighting is carried out by personnel from infantry units, and not by personnel from field engineer companies. When personnel are deployed, as in Co. Galway recently, a qualified Engineer Fire Officer is however deployed with them as an adviser.
665. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have participated in carefully planned live field exercises with An Garda Síochána in view of assessing the State’s contingency capability for effective co-ordinated responses to terrorist incidents and ensuring it is fit for purpose; if so, if such exercises have been followed by immediate professional lessons identified and lessons learned processes; the number of times such exercises have taken place in 2016 and to date 2017; the number of Defence Forces personnel involved in each of the exercises; and if such exercises are planned in the future. [25819/17]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2015) is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
The security environment is kept under constant review including the threat from international terrorism. 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. An Garda Síochána can request a broad range of supports from the Defence Forces including Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams and the Army Ranger Wing. In this context, I can confirm that there is very active cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces.
An Garda Síochána take the lead responsibility for exercises where the Defence Forces act in a support role to An Garda Síochána. Following such exercises a review is carried out and the lessons learned feed into future planning in order to enhance support and interoperability. The Defence Forces will continue to engage fully with An Garda Síochána in this regard and will also continue to undergo training so as to ensure effective interoperability.
Given that these exercises are led by An Garda Síochána, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on their specific details. For security and operational reasons, the specific number of Defence Forces personnel engaged in these exercises will also not be released.
