Written Answers Nos. 484-498
484. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a copy of the departmental briefings received by him and each Minister of State in his Department upon taking up each individual role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14800/20]
View answerA copy of the Ministerial Brief, provided following my recent appointment as Minister for Defence, has been published on my Department's website. Where there are any redactions, these are line with the provisions of Freedom of Information legislation.
485. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he plans to increase and stabilise the strength of the Defence Forces at all levels across the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15003/20]
View answerThe report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) of 2019 contains a range of recommendations aimed at improving work-force planning, recruitment and conditions of service for members of the Defence Forces. A High Level Plan to give effect to the recommendations of the PSPC is being implemented.
It should be noted that as the High Level Implementation Plan contains short, medium and long term measures, the full impact of these measures will take time to determine. There are also a range of external variables which impact on recruitment and retention and which can change and these will be carefully monitored to assess their effect as they arise.
While the Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Irish Permanent Defence Force of 9,500 personnel, the capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train recruits has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation. This has resulted in the postponement of the majority of inductions in the year to date.
The military authorities have advised that, while the Defence Forces are now resuming inductions and training, taking public health guidelines into account. The Defence Forces continue to assess the impact such public health guidelines will have on their training capacity. A campaign to re-enlist former members of the Permanent Defence Force, to fill certain vacancies, is also underway.
The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments aimed at stabilising and restoring the strength of the Defence Forces. An independent Commission will be established to undertake a comprehensive review of the medium and longer term defence requirements of the State. This review will include, inter alia, consideration of pay, allowances ,recruitment retention and career progression of members of the Defence Forces. It is also intended that on completion of this review, a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces will be established.
486. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if funding will be secured for the 20 mm secondary gun replacement on each Naval Service ship. [15279/20]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government both at home and overseas.
The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process. 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, including response to security risks and other emergencies, both at home and overseas.
The recently published Equipment Development Plan (EDP) is a plan for the continued re-equipment of the Defence Forces, which was devised in tandem with the White Paper policies. The EDP is being funded under the National Development Plan – Project Ireland 2040. The EDP provides a comprehensive indicative list of planned equipment projects which will be advanced over the next five years.
The current capital allocation for Defence is €113 million for 2020, an increase of €7 million on the National Development Plan 2019 allocation. The NDP - Project Ireland 2040 - provides financial allocations for a total of €541 million for Defence over the period 2018-2022. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and builds on the significant investment programme over recent years.
Included in the EDP is the replacement of the Naval Service 20mm secondary guns at an estimated cost of €12 million. Funding has been secured for this project and the indicative project timeframe for this project is between 2020 to 2022 and it is planned to publish a tender competition later in the year.
The replacement of secondary armaments on the entire Naval Service fleet will modernise the fleet and maintain operational effectiveness while bridging the gap between the primary and the tertiary armaments. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary equipment resources available to them, including a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
487. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if funding for the upgrade of explosive ordnance disposal robots will be provided. [15280/20]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government both at home and overseas.
The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process. 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, including response to security risks and other emergencies, both at home and overseas.
The recently published Equipment Development Plan (EDP) is a plan for the continued re-equipment of the Defence Forces, which was devised in tandem with the White Paper policies. The EDP is being funded under the National Development Plan – Project Ireland 2040. The EDP provides a comprehensive indicative list of planned equipment projects which will be advanced over the next five years.
The current capital allocation for Defence is €113 million for 2020, an increase of €7 million on the National Development Plan 2019 allocation. The NDP - Project Ireland 2040 - provides financial allocations for a total of €541 million for Defence over the period 2018-2022. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and builds on the significant investment programme.
Included in the EDP is the upgrade of the explosive ordnance disposal robots. This project which is security sensitive commenced in 2012 and is due for completion in 2020 at a total cost of some €5 million. The enhanced robots are deployed by the Ordnance Corps of the Defence Forces both at home and on overseas operations. They are vital tools in the identification and destruction of improvised explosive devices in a manner that is both effective and safe to the operators and the public.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary equipment resources available to them, including a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
488. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence when construction works will commence on a new headquarter block for the Army Ranger Wing at the Defence Forces training centre; and the timeframe for the completion of this project. [15281/20]
View answerThe Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. As part of this programme, I can confirm that the construction of a new headquarter block for the Army Ranger Wing at the Defence Forces Training Centre is included in the Plan. The development of strategic infrastructure of this nature will be progressed further as the Plan is implemented. The programme will ensure that the required capital funding is prioritised as building activities increase over the lifetime of the Programme.
489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if a full review will take place in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15328/20]
View answerThe Army Pensions Acts provide for the grant of pensions and gratuities to former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in respect of permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad) or due to disease attributable to or aggravated by overseas service with the United Nations.
Section 13(2) of the Army Pensions Act, 1923, as amended, provides that “Any compensation which may be received from or on behalf of the person alleged to be responsible for the act which caused the wounding … may be taken into consideration in fixing the amount of any pension, allowance or gratuity which might be awarded under this Act to or in respect of such person and if such compensation is received after the award of any such pension or allowance the Minister may review the award and, having regard to the amount of such compensation, either terminate or reduce the amount thereof.”
The underlying objective of section 13(2) is to take into consideration compensation paid ‘on the double’ from any source for the same disablement.
In April 1986 the person in question was awarded a disability pension under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of an injury sustained while serving in the PDF. The person in question also instituted civil proceedings in respect of the same injury and was awarded compensation by the High Court. The disability pension payable was therefore reviewed under the provisions of section 13(2) of the 1923 Act and it was decided to reduce it by the annuity value of the total compensation which he had received.
Subsequently, the person in question applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the decision to reduce the disability pension. The High Court quashed the decision to reduce the disability pension and ordered that the matter be considered anew. A fresh review of the disability pension was accordingly undertaken. All aspects of the case (including, in particular, representations made by his solicitors) were fully considered and in March 1988 the then Minister decided to reduce the disability pension payable by the annuity value of the total compensation received by the person in question.
I am satisfied that the disability pension in this case was properly determined in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions by the then Minister and I do not believe that a further review of the decision under Section 13(2) would be appropriate.
Finally, any increases which were due under the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018-2020 (and previous pay agreements) have been applied to date to the pension payable to the person in question.
490. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Army has pulled out of selling a house at a location (details supplied) to the tenant despite having agreed to the sale on three different occasions. [15338/20]
View answer492. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Defence the plans of the Army for the 12 houses situated at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 492 together.
I am advised that my Department was not in a position to dispose of the properties referred to because of legal difficulties in relation to the site.
After taking all matters into consideration, and based on the legal advices, my Department had no alternative but to withdraw from the offer of sale. Those who were offered the opportunity to purchase were informed in writing, through their legal advisers, of the sale withdrawal in November 2018. As part of this communication, my Department indicated its intention to regularise the current occupancy of those effected. A draft licence was issued through legal representatives for their agreement. This matter is ongoing and is the subject of continued legal correspondence.
My Department seeks to continue to regularise Overholding matters without recourse to legal action where possible. The provision of housing for members of the public is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and my Department assists in any way it can in support of such applications for assistance, when requested to do so.
In the circumstances, the Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment further.
491. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Army is refusing to perform vital maintenance works on a property (details supplied) but will not give the tenant permission to perform the works themselves; the reason the Army is falling to keep its properties to acceptable living standard as other landlords are instructed to do; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15339/20]
View answerMember of the Defence Forces who were allocated a Married Quarter and who subsequently retire or leave are required under Regulation to return vacant possession of that property. Where the property is not vacated those remaining in the property, be they the former serving member, their spouse, children and/or other person, are regarded as Overholding.
It was brought to my Department’s attention that the property referred to was occupied by a person unknown to the Department. My Department has no agreement with the current occupant that allows her remain in the property and cannot accede to her requests to carry out the works.
When maintenance issues are brought to the attention of my Department in relation to properties occupied by Overholders, matters of a Health and Safety concern are dealt with.
Finally, my Department seeks to continue to regularise Overholding matters without recourse to legal action where possible. However, the provision of housing for members of the public is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and my Department assists in any way it can in support of such applications for assistance, when requested to do so.
493. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 30 June 2020; if he will provide a breakdown of each rank across the three services; the gender breakdown of same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15609/20]
View answer495. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Permanent Defence Force to date in 2020 with regard to each of the three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15611/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 495 together.
The attached tables contain the information requested by the Deputy.
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of each branch of the Irish Permanent Defence Force. However, the capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train recruits has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation. This has resulted in the postponement of the majority of inductions in the year to date.
The military authorities have advised that, while the Defence Forces continued those aspects of the induction process that could be conducted remotely throughout the year, they are now resuming inductions and training, taking public health guidelines into account. The Defence Forces continue to assess the impact such public health guidelines will have on their training capacity. A campaign to re-enlist former members of the Permanent Defence Force, to fill certain vacancies, is also underway.
494. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Reserve Defence Force as of 30 June 2020 with regard to each of the three services and each rank; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15610/20]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).
The most up to date figures available for the effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR), as of 31 May 2020, are set out below:
|
EFFECTIVE |
LT COL |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
TOTAL OFFR |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGT |
CPL |
TOTAL NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
AR |
5 |
46 |
78 |
100 |
229 |
1 |
4 |
28 |
42 |
223 |
289 |
587 |
725 |
1541 |
|
NSR |
0 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
16 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
7 |
25 |
41 |
65 |
122 |
The breakdown of females of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve for the same period is as follows:-
|
EFFECTIVE |
LT COL |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
TOTAL OFFR |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGT |
CPL |
TOTAL NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
AR |
0 |
3 |
10 |
18 |
31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
14 |
55 |
71 |
101 |
203 |
|
NSR |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
13 |
19 |
The substantive strength of the First line Reserve for the same period is as follows:-
|
FORMATION* |
OFFR |
NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
ARMY |
1 |
13 |
137 |
151 |
|
AIR CORPS |
4 |
21 |
25 |
|
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
3 |
14 |
87 |
104 |
|
TOTAL |
4 |
31 |
245 |
280 |
*The gender breakdown of the FLR is not available
End of month returns are collated at the mid-month point of the following month and hence June 2020 returns are still being compiled by the military authorities.
496. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Reserve Defence Force to date in 2020 with regard to each of the three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15612/20]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that 32 new members have been inducted into the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) from 1 January to 8 July 2020, broken down as follows:
|
Total number inducted |
Number of females inducted |
|
|
Army Reserve |
30 |
3 |
|
Naval Service Reserve |
2 |
0 |
While a recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR was opened in March 2020, the ability to conduct RDF inductions has been impacted heavily by the Covid 19 crisis.
The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the AR and NSR. I am advised that, while there are no specific dates as of yet, it is anticipated that another recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR will be opened in autumn 2020.
497. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence if the defence budget, specifically Vote 36, is on profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15613/20]
View answerVote 36 Defence was allocated a gross funding provision of €781 million for 2020. This allocation provides for the pay and allowances of over 10,400 public service employees, the upgrade and replacement of essential military equipment and infrastructure, ongoing Defence Forces operational and standing costs as well as funding in respect of Civil Defence and the Irish Red Cross Society.
Gross expenditure to the end of June 2020 was €337 million, representing 43% of the Defence Vote allocation. This level of expenditure is some €28.6 million (7.8%) below profile and is broadly in line with expenditure trends in recent years.
Recruitment plans to date this year have been impacted by COVID 19 and expenditure trends on pay subheads reflect this. In that context, the military authorities have advised that they are currently finalising plans to re-commence collective training and recruitment, taking public health guidelines into account. On non-pay subheads, progress on some planned projects has been delayed in the first half of the year, however, a significant number of projects are expected to advance before year-end.
My Department will continue to monitor expenditure on the Vote over the coming months and at this stage it is expected that overall expenditure outturn will be substantially in line with provision at year-end.
498. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the number of tribunals, public investigations and commissions of investigations in process; the length of time each has been under way; when each will conclude; the cost to date of each; and the estimated cost of each at completion. [16142/20]
View answerThere are no tribunals, public investigations, or commissions of investigations in process within the remit of my Department.
