Written Answers Nos. 66-71
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which optimum strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continues to be achieved; the extent of recruitment likely or required in the short and medium term as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32484/17]
View answer848. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of each branch of the Defence Forces; if the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are below strength in areas which might impede an effective response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32983/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 848 together.
The Government is committed to maintaining a strength level of 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). This comprises 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. The current strength (Whole Time Equivalent) of the PDF as of the 31st May 2017 (the latest date for which figures are available) is 9,044 comprising of 7,254 Army, 703 Air Corps and 1,087 Naval Service.
The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with operational requirements. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces are planning to increase the level of recruitment in 2017 and a number of competitions are currently underway in this regard.
The 2017 Cadet Competition was launched on 22 March 2017. In total there were 3,466 applicants for all 7 competitions which are; Army Cadet, Army Engineer Cadet, Army Equitation Cadet, Air Corps Pilot Cadet, Naval Service Operations Cadet, Naval Service Marine Engineer Cadet and Naval Service Electrical Engineer Cadet. The competition has progressed through the Application stage and Online Unsupervised Psychometric Assessments, to the Assessment Centre stage which involves Group Assessment, Fitness Tests and a Realistic Job Preview. A total of 100 Cadet inductions are planned to take place in September 2017.
General Service Recruitment Campaigns for both the Army and Naval Service were launched on 23 February 2017. The competitions have now progressed and recruitment has commenced. In total there were 5,210 applicants for these competitions, an increase of 13.5% compared with 2016. The competition has now progressed through the Application and Online Psychometric Assessment stages to Fitness Testing and Competency Based Interviews and inductions are planned to take place in September/October 2017. There are plans to launch another Air Corps Trainee Military Aircraft Technician Competition shortly and induct up to 25 Apprentices in Quarter 3/Quarter 4 2017.
With the support of the Chief of Staff, it is intended to continue to recruit new personnel in order to ensure that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and overseas.
67. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the contact or assistance planned by his Department to the July fuchsia appeal operated by an organisation (details supplied) to address homelessness among former members of the Defence Forces. [32350/17]
View answerThe Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) is an organisation dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces. It provides accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter as well as other assistance and advice as required. O.N.E. has accommodation in Smithfield, Dublin (Brú na bhFiann with 30 places), Athlone (7 places) and Letterkenny (7 places), a drop-in centre in Limerick and an advice centre in Dundalk. O.N.E. has enjoyed the long standing official recognition of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Officials from my Department hold regular meetings with O.N.E., and the other recognised veterans’ organisations, at which issues of concern to their members are discussed. Under the terms of a Service Level Agreement with O.N.E., and as part of the supports currently offered to veterans, my Department provides an annual subvention, currently €44,000, to support the general overheads of the organisation.
I provide support by attendance at specific events whenever I can. I had pleasure in attending the launch of O.N.E.’s annual Fuchsia fundraising appeal on Wednesday 28th June 2017. The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, launched the appeal which will continue throughout the month of July. I am advised that Defence Forces units and installations throughout the country undertake fundraising in support of the work of O.N.E. on behalf of veterans. The military authorities encourage such fundraising as an illustration of the solidarity and bonds that exists between veterans and serving personnel.
The Defence Organisation and I are committed to continued engagement with O.N.E. into the future.
69. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address the three fundamental findings of the recent focus group climate survey on the Defence Forces concerning pay, retention and human resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32506/17]
View answerThe Independent Monitoring Group was established in 2002 to oversee the implementation of recommendations intended to improve HR management and institutional culture, including dealing with interpersonal issues and dignity in the workplace. One of the recommendations of the Third Report of the Implementation Monitoring Group (2014) was the undertaking of a workplace climate study. The intended purpose of undertaking the study was to build upon the actions undertaken to date and to identify trends to inform practice in HR, including training and education.
The most recent report is the second phase of the climate study which further explores the issues raised in a survey, which reported in 2015.
The issues considered in the latest report include pay and conditions, vacancies within the Defence Forces and recruitment and retention, promotion systems, performance management, leadership, culture, stress, work-life balance, the Personnel Support Service, diversity, the Defence Forces medical system and Representation.
I was briefed on the report at the end of June, and directed that the Oversight Group of the IMG which includes the Representative Associations be briefed. I proposed that once the groups had been given time to consider the report I would meet with them to hear their views on how best to address the HR issues raised. That meeting is scheduled to take place on 13 th July 2017. It is then my intention to consider publication of the report.
Progress has been made in respect of issues detailed in the report and I will continue to work closely with both civil and military management, and the IMG, in addressing these matters.
Public Service pay is based on collective agreements negotiated with public service trade unions and representative associations. Future remuneration of Defence Forces personnel will continue to be dealt with within this process.
Since the survey was carried out , PDFORRA have signed up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) resulting in increases in pay/salary for members of the association. A revision to pay scales has also provided significant pay improvements to certain of its members.
Further benefits are provided for under the extended LRA which is under the consideration of the Representative Associations.
The broad range of HR issues raised in the survey will be further explored by senior management. I have instructed both civil and military management to bring forward proposals in respect of retaining specialists, providing for re-entry and where appropriate direct entry and I expect to be in receipt of these proposals shortly.
The findings of this Report will contribute to informing the work which is already underway across the Defence Organisation ensuring that the Defence Forces have the capability and capacity to carry out the roles assigned by Government, and remain an attractive employer/career of choice.
70. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will consider resolving the legacy issue of Naval Service veterans of the LÉ Cliona in view of the proposed changes in legislation to facilitate the awarding of medals to the men of A Company that took part in the siege of Jadotville. [32351/17]
View answerBoth of these events were separate and distinct and were commemorated separately and appropriately having regard to the individual circumstances of each.
Following a review by the military authorities into this incident, I presented Scrolls of Commendation to former crew members of the LÉ Cliona at a ceremony held on board the L.É. Niamh in Dublin on 1 September 2016, in formal recognition of their brave and decisive actions in bringing a serious fire on board the ship under control. Later that month, I also unveiled a plaque at the Naval Service Headquarters in Haulbowline commemorating the ship’s company of the LÉ Cliona for their team effort in ensuring the safe return of the ship to port following this fire. I am satisfied that the ceremonies which took place in 2016 fully reflect both my own and the Defence Forces appreciation of the great effort made by the crew of the LÉ Cliona on 29 May 1962.
The former Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny, T.D. and I recently announced that the surviving members of the 35th Infantry Battalion A company, who fought at the Siege of Jadotville in 1961, would be awarded medals. This medal, which will be issued on behalf of the State, is to recognise their collective bravery during this unique incident. Planning is under way for a medals ceremony later this year.
The decision taken to honour those men who took part in the Siege of Jadotville is an exceptional step which builds upon my decision last year to award a Unit citation and gives full recognition to their performance during the Siege.
71. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if psychological or neurological damage as a result of being prescribed lariam mefloquine while serving in the Defence Forces is an accepted ground upon which an Army disability pension will be paid; and if not, the reason therefor. [32349/17]
View answerUnder the Army Pensions Acts 1923-1980 a disability pension or gratuity may, following retirement, be granted to a former member of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) for permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad) or to a disease which is secondary to an injury, or is attributable to, or aggravated by, overseas service with a United Nations Force.
The criteria for awarding a disability pension or gratuity are based on;
(a) whether the applicant is suffering from a permanent disablement due to wound/injury which is attributable to his military service at home or abroad, or to a disease which is secondary to an injury, or is attributable to or aggravated by service with a United Nations Force abroad,
and
(b) the percentage degree of disablement from which the applicant is suffering.
The award of a disability pension or gratuity depends on the findings of the Army Pensions Board. The rate of disability pension depends on the degree of disablement as assessed by that Board.
The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members (both doctors). The Chairman and one doctor are civilians and the other member is a serving Army doctor. The Board’s principal function is to investigate applications for pensions, allowances and gratuities under the Acts and to report to the Minister thereon.
The Board determines the question of attributability to military service in each case; assesses the degree of disability; and reports its findings to the Department, which acts on the Board’s findings including the grant or refusal of appropriate benefits. The findings of the Army Pensions Board in regard to ‘attributability’ are final and conclusive and binding. However, there is provision for review of awards or refusals subject to certain conditions, for example if additional relevant information has subsequently become available.
The Board assesses applications on a case by case basis and makes its findings based on an examination of the applicant and their medical records, and on the individual circumstances of the case. The Board can, on a case by case basis, decide to seek additional medical opinion if this is considered necessary.
To date, the Board has not made a finding of a disablement of psychological or neurological damage as a result of being prescribed lariam mefloquine while serving in the PDF.
