Written Answers Nos. 45-64
45. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach the number of complaints of bullying and sexual harassment, respectively received by his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [48044/19]
View answerNo bullying or sexual harassment complaints have been received by my Department from 2016 to date in 2019.
47. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach the number of employees of his Department that were dismissed in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date 2019; the reason for the dismissal of each employee; the number of employees suspended in the same period; and the reason for the suspension of each in tabular form. [48079/19]
View answerNo employees in my Department were dismissed or suspended in the years 2016, 2017, 2018 or to date in 2019. However, during the period in question, two employees were not retained following completion of their probationary contracts.
48. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on bottled water and disposable coffee cups by his Department to date in 2019. [48197/19]
View answerMy Department has spent a total amount of €140.97 on bottled water to date in 2019. This water was used for meetings with visiting dignitaries. No disposable coffee cups were purchased to date in 2019.
49. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the date of each review and revision of the material published under the publication scheme of his Department as outlined in section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014. [48214/19]
View answerAs required by Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, and in keeping with the principles of openness, transparency and accountability set out in the FOI Act, my Department published its FOI publication scheme in 2016 and it can be viewed on the gov.ie website. The publication scheme makes available as much information as possible about my Department’s work in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis under the following headings:
- Information about the Department;
- Services provided or to be provided to the public;
- Decision making process for major policy proposals;
- Financial information;
- Procurement; and
- FOI disclosure log and other information published routinely.
My Department keeps its FOI publication scheme under ongoing review and regularly publishes additional information about its work as it becomes available. For example, the scheme is updated every quarter to include the details of management board meetings, invoices over €20,000 paid and FOI requests granted or part granted in the previous quarter.
50. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on public relations, promotion and advertising, including multimedia, in his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019 (details supplied) in tabular form [48253/19]
View answerThe following table contains the yearly outlays by my Department in these cost areas. The breakdown covers digital advertising consisting of search to ensure that the public is directed to the sites which deliver the services/information they are looking for and sponsored posts to ensure strong dissemination of Government Information. It also includes traditional media such as print and creative production.
The bulk of the 2019 spend is on the provision of communication and public relations work for the IBRC Commission, which is an independent statutory commission established under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004.
In addition, the 2019 figure includes public information activities for the appointment of judges and the Budget.
51. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount spent on purchasing mobile telephones for staff within his Department for work-related business in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by grade; if his Department has a contract with a mobile telephone company (details supplied) to supply mobile phones if needed; if so, the name of the company; the date on which the contract for the supply of mobile telephones to his Department is next due to expire; and the robust steps taken to ensure that the costs incurred on work related telephones are the best value for the taxpayer. [47918/19]
View answerThe expenditure on purchasing mobile phones for staff in my Department for work-related business in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019 is detailed in the following table.
|
Year |
Total Spend on Mobile Phones incl. VAT |
|
2016 |
€14,148 |
|
2017 |
€20,093 |
|
2018 |
€25,945 |
|
2019 to date |
€16,451 |
Mobile phones are purchased in batches and allocated/replaced as required. Handsets are also redeployed when staff leave my Department. Accordingly, it is not possible to break down this spend by staff grade. The breakdown of phones currently assigned to staff in my Department by grade is:
Table - Phones Assigned to Department of Defence Staff
All mobile phones are issued to staff based on an approved business case. My Department had a contract with Vodafone for supply of mobile phones, which has now expired. My Department is in the process of moving to the ‘Desktop as a Service’ managed ICT service delivery model provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). As part of this service, the Department will procure mobile phones from the OGCIO’s contract, which will be based on the most up-to-date framework available from the Office of Government Procurement. Using this framework will ensure that my Department will leverage the considerable buying power of the Public Service to ensure the best value for the taxpayer is achieved.
52. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of staff in his Department by gender and pay grade in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47944/19]
View answerThe following table provides details of the number of civil servants employed in my Department by gender and pay grade at 31 October 2019. As a number of employees are working reduced patterns of attendance, the total number of whole time equivalent posts in my Department is 352. 34.
|
Grade |
Total Numbers |
Male |
Female |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Director |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Principal |
17 |
11 |
6 |
|
Assistant Principal |
47 |
27 |
20 |
|
Professional Accountant |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Legal Advisor |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
71 |
24 |
47 |
|
Administrative Officer |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
107 |
22 |
85 |
|
Clerical Officer |
97 |
15 |
82 |
|
Storeman/Storekeeper |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Head Services Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Services Officer/Cleaner |
10 |
8 |
2 |
|
Minister's Staff |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
Total Staff |
369 |
121 |
248 |
53. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the political advisers used by Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department since the commencement of this Government; the commencement and cessation dates in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47961/19]
View answerThe following table provides details of the advisers appointed by me in my capacity as Minister with Responsibility for Defence:
|
Title |
Name |
Date of Appointment |
|
Special Adviser |
John Coughlan |
6 May 2016 to date |
|
Press Adviser |
Clare Mungovan |
18 May 2016 to 7 January 2018 |
|
Press Adviser |
Niall O'Connor |
29 January 2018 to date |
These are the only advisers appointed by me in the period since 6 May, 2016.
54. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of complaints of bullying and sexual harassment, respectively received by his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [48034/19]
View answerMy Department employs both civil servants and civilian employees attached to military installations. The following table provides details of the number of complaints of bullying or harassment received by my Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019. There were no complaints of sexual harassment during the period in question.
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Complaints received |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
The Civil Service Dignity at Work Policy was rolled out to all civil service staff in my Department in 2015 and staff are reminded of the aims of the Policy, which deals with bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, annually. The Policy is also provided to all new staff joining my Department and is posted on the Department's Intranet. The relevant policy for civilian employees attached to military installations is A Positive Working Environment - An Anti Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Bullying Policy for State Industrial Employees.
55. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of employees of his Department that were dismissed in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date 2019; the reason for the dismissal of each employee; the number of employees suspended in the same period; and the reason for the suspension of each in tabular form. [48069/19]
View answerMy Department employs both civil servants and civilian employees attached to military installations. The following table provides details of the number of employees that were dismissed or suspended in the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019. As only one person was suspended or dismissed during the full period covered by this question, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to set out the reasons for that dismissal as to do so may lead to the individual concerned being identified.
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
To date in 2019 |
|
No. of dismissals |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
No. of suspensions |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
56. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount spent on public relations, promotion and advertising for the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and Project Ireland 2040 since its publication in February 2018 by category (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48121/19]
View answerMy Department has spent €196.80 on promotional material in relation to Project Ireland 2040. No further costs were incurred in relation to public relations, promotion and advertising for either Project Ireland 2040 or the National Development Plan 2018-2027, for the period in question.
57. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount spent on bottled water and disposable coffee cups by his Department to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48187/19]
View answerDrinking water in the Department of Defence is provided primarily through filtered water coolers. A number of water dispensers which use the large 19 litre reusable water containers are provided in conference rooms. As a general rule, the Department does not provide water in individual plastic or glass bottles. To date, in 2019, expenditure by the Department of Defence on water (19 litre Water dispenser containers) and disposable cups is €833.58. Following the publication of the Climate Action Plan 2019, by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Department of Defence has ceased to use single use plastic cups and only uses either reusable or compostable cups for tea/coffee and water.
58. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the date of each review and revision of the material published under the publication scheme of his Department as outlined in section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48204/19]
View answerIn October 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced the publication of the Model Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Subsequently, in line with section 8 of the Act, my Department's FOI publication scheme was first published on 14 April, 2016.
The scheme was next reviewed in July 2018 during the re-development of my Department's website. All information published under the scheme is reviewed and updated as required.
59. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount spent on public relations, promotion and advertising, including multimedia, in his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019 (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48243/19]
View answerMy Department did not incur any costs in relation to public relations in the period in question. The following table outlines costs for advertising and promotion for the period in question, and includes payments made to date in 2019.
|
Promotion and Advertising Costs 2016 |
€92,387.91 |
|
Promotion and Advertising Costs 2017 |
€97,562.81 |
|
Promotion and Advertising Costs 2018 |
€110,625.04 |
|
Promotion and Advertising Costs 2019 |
€94,827.80 |
60. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a new open recruitment campaign for the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve will commence early in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48264/19]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that, while there are no specific dates as of yet, it is intended that a recruitment campaign for the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) will be opened in March/April 2020.
There were two recruitment campaigns for the AR and the NSR in 2019, one in March and a second in October. These attracted a total of 2,603 applications, 2,140 to join the AR (including 319 female applicants) and 463 to join the NSR (including 69 female applicants).
This year, as of 31 October, 85 new members have been inducted into the AR (including 8 females) and 17 into the NSR (including 2 females).
The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the AR and NSR. Supports being provided to maximise recruitment to the AR and NSR include the use of social media and outreach activities by members.
61. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the future of NATO with other European counterparts. [47908/19]
View answerI have not taken part in discussions on the future of NATO. Such discussions are appropriate to members of that organisation.
In the EU context, discussion of NATO is limited to the context of agreed areas of EU-NATO cooperation. All such cooperation takes place with full respect for the decision-making autonomy and procedures of both organisations, and respects the specific character of the security and defence policies of EU Member States, including those, such as Ireland, which are not members of NATO.
62. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will engage with the UK Government to resolve the ongoing dispute over the ownership of Lough Foyle in the context of the decision by the UK to withdraw from the London Fisheries Convention, effective upon Brexit. [47904/19]
View answerThe UK Government assertion of jurisdiction over the whole of Lough Foyle has never been accepted by Ireland and this position remains unchanged.
Following discussions in 2011 between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Foreign Secretary, the British and Irish Governments agreed to seek to resolve jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough.
Since that time a series of meetings and contacts have taken place at official level between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and my own Department. This engagement is ongoing and my Department is also continuing to consult with other relevant Departments on specific issues and concerns in relation to licensing of aquaculture in Lough Foyle. The 1964 London Fisheries Convention is not relevant to the jurisdictional issues in Lough Foyle.
The issues involved in these discussions are complex and involve a range of different actors, including the Crown Estates on the British side, but I am satisfied that all sides are committed to reaching a positive resolution as soon as possible.
63. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent on purchasing mobile telephones for staff within his Department for work-related business in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by grade; if his Department has a contract with a mobile telephone company (details supplied) to supply mobile telephones if needed; if so, the name of the company; the date on which the contract for the supply of mobile telephones to his Department is next due to expire; and the robust steps taken to ensure that the costs incurred on work related telephones are the best value for the taxpayer. [47922/19]
View answerMy Department has spent the following amounts on mobile phone purchases from 2016 to date;
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2019 |
€14,000 |
|
2018 |
€43,935 |
|
2017 |
€33,084 |
|
2016 |
€15,852 |
The figures above relate to handsets purchased in this country. Missions abroad are responsible for contracts with a large variety of local suppliers.
Information on grades is not maintained. Phones are allocated on the basis of business needs rather than grade. The Department has recently published a request for tenders to replace an expired contract with "Three" using the Mobile Phone Service Framework of the Office of Government Procurement. This will cover both mobile phone purchases and mobile telephony charges and ensure best value for the Department.
64. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff in his Department by gender and pay grade in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47948/19]
View answerThe total number of permanent full-time equivalent staff in civil service grades in my Department as of 30 September 2019; the grades of these officers and the proportion of female and male staff in each grade is set out in the following table.
The Department also employs locally engaged staff in Missions abroad, and temporary staff on a seasonal basis.
My Department is committed to the principles of equality, impartiality and fairness, to valuing the contributions of all staff and to championing gender equality and diversity, including by ensuring that women are represented fully in teams at home and abroad. Diplomatic and consular missions abroad and senior management structures at home need to reflect Irish society and better gender balance will help us achieve one element of that ambition. Advancing gender equality is a key objective in the Department's Human Resources Strategy 2019-2022.
My Department has an active Gender Equality, Equality and Diversity Sub-Committee of the Management Board as well as two working groups focusing on gender equality and diversity issues. The work underway, through a Gender Equality Action Plan, complements wider efforts towards gender equality being advanced through the Civil Service renewal process.
|
Final Staff Nos by Gender as at 30 September 2019 |
Male total |
Female Total |
Total |
|
Grade |
|
|
|
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Second Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
15 |
7 |
22 |
|
Counsellor |
37 |
34 |
71 |
|
Counsellor Higher |
18 |
2 |
20 |
|
Principal Standard |
10 |
5 |
15 |
|
Principal Higher |
7 |
2 |
9 |
|
Principal Development Specialist |
2 |
1.9 |
3.9 |
|
Senior Development Specialist |
6 |
5 |
11 |
|
Assistant Legal Adviser |
3 |
4 |
7 |
|
First Secretary |
60.5 |
73.7 |
134.2 |
|
First Secretary Higher |
24 |
4 |
28 |
|
Assistant Principal Standard |
19 |
26.8 |
45.8 |
|
Assistant Principal Higher |
11 |
6.8 |
17.8 |
|
Assistant Principal Standard Add ons |
11 |
3 |
14 |
|
Assistant Principal Higher Add ons |
3 |
4 |
7 |
|
Professional Accountant |
4 |
2.8 |
6.8 |
|
Development Specialist |
13 |
20 |
33 |
|
Architect |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Third Secretary Higher |
13 |
10 |
23 |
|
Third Secretary Standard |
62 |
72 |
134 |
|
Administrative Officer |
4 |
2.8 |
6.8 |
|
Archivist Grade III |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Higher Executive Officer Higher |
11.8 |
9.05 |
20.85 |
|
Higher Executive Officer Standard |
38 |
51.5 |
89.5 |
|
Systems Analyst HEO |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Executive Officer Higher |
13.75 |
31.23 |
44.98 |
|
Executive Officer Standard |
70.6 |
99.69 |
170.29 |
|
Executive Officer Trainee Systems Analyst |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer Higher |
24.8 |
92.67 |
117.47 |
|
Clerical Officer Standard |
156.25 |
290.91 |
447.16 |
|
Cleaner |
0 |
11 |
11 |
|
Services Officer |
28 |
0 |
28 |
|
Services Attendant |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Nightwatchperson |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Civilian Driver |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Political Appointee |
3 |
4 |
7 |
|
Total |
682.7 |
883.85 |
1566.55 |
