Thursday, 30 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 599-622

Defence Forces Remuneration

Questions (599)

John Brady

Question:

599. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the manner in which overtime or extra duty allowances are calculated for members of the Defence Forces. [20160/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Unlike other areas of the public service and due to the nature of the duties performed, overtime or shift allowance payments are not available to members of the Defence Forces. 

Remuneration for individual members of the Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance.

Military Service Allowance (MSA) is paid up to and including the rank of Colonel. It is designed to compensate for the special conditions associated with military life including: unsocial hours of duty; exposure to danger, and the restrictions inherent in military discipline. 

Other remuneration relates to Technical Pay, Duty allowances, Special Allowances etc.

A range of duties attract additional allowances. This is not analogous to overtime as such payments are in addition to basic pay and MSA and are related to the duties undertaken.

The current rates of pay and allowances for members of Defence Forces are available though the Department of Defence Website (https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/65e6ec-routinely-published-information/#defence-forces-pay-scales). 

Civil Defence

Questions (600)

John Brady

Question:

600. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the planned budget for the Irish Civil Defence for 2021. [20162/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Civil Defence operates on a partnership basis between the Department of Defence and the Local Authorities. 

The Department of Defence is responsible for the strategic management and development of Civil Defence at national level. The Department provides policy direction, centralised training, administrative support and guidance and centralised procurement of major items of uniform and equipment in support of Local Authority Civil Defence efforts. 

Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant Local Authority area.  The CDO is a full time employee of the Local Authority and is responsible for the day-to-day management of Civil Defence matters under the overall direction of their Chief Executive 

Civil Defence is funded by a combination of grants from the Department of Defence as well as funding from Local Authorities. The annual operational grant provided by the Department covers up to 70% of the running costs of the Civil Defence Unit with the Local Authorities providing a minimum of 30%.  In practice, many Local Authorities provide well in excess of the required 30%.  

It is not possible at this time to state what the budget for Civil Defence will be in 2021 as estimates discussions are ongoing.  I can confirm that the Department's budget for this year is €5.24m, which includes Dormant Account funding of €1m.

Defence Forces Personnel

Questions (601, 603)

James Browne

Question:

601. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces as of 30 July 2020; if he will provide a breakdown of all ranks across the three services; the gender breakdown of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20607/20]

James Browne

Question:

603. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Permanent Defence Forces to date in 2020 with regard to all three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20609/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 601 and 603 together.

The attached document provides the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at the 30th June 2020 (the latest figures available), broken down by rank, service and gender.

Strength of Permanent Defence Force

The capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train recruits was severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation but those aspects of the induction process that could be conducted remotely continued throughout the year and inductions/training have been resumed taking public health guidelines into account.  

The table below shows the total inductions to the Permanent Defence Force up to 28th July 2020, broken down by branch and gender. This encompasses general service recruits, re-commissioned officers and direct entrant specialists.   

Rank	Total	Male	Female
Army	44	39	5
Naval Service	28	25	3
Air Corps	3	3	0
Total Inductions	75	67	8

Defence Forces Personnel

Questions (602)

James Browne

Question:

602. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Reserve Defence Forces as of 30 July 2020; if he will provide a breakdown of all ranks across the three services; the gender breakdown of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20608/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The 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 30 June 2020, are set out below:

Strength and Gender breakdown

    

The substantive strength of the First Line Reserve (FLR) 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 July 2020 returns are not available at this time.

Question No. 603 answered with Question No. 601.

Defence Forces Personnel

Questions (604)

James Browne

Question:

604. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Reserve Defence Forces to date in 2020 with regard to all three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20610/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I am advised by the military authorities that 44 new members have been inducted into the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) from 1 January to 28 July 2020, broken down as follows:

AR and NSR Inductions

Year	Total	AR	Male	Female	NSR	Male	Female
2020	44	42	36	6	2	2	0

While a recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR was opened in March 2020, the restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic have had a significant impact on many Defence Forces activities, particularly those involving collective training. As such, it has been difficult to conduct RDF inductions.

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.

Departmental Staff

Questions (605)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

605. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants currently working in his Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for the role in tabular form. [20616/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Since being appointed as Minister for Defence I have not appointed any advisers, special advisers or seconded civil servants in that role. 

State Claims Agency

Questions (606)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

606. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a schedule of the active and settled legal cases the State Claims Agency is handling on behalf of his Department in the past six years to date in 2020; the stage they are at; the general nature of the claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20727/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The Deputy will be aware that the State Claims Agency (SCA) has delegated authority to manage personal injury and property damage claims taken against the Minister for Defence.

In cases where the State is considered liable or which involve an apportionment of liability as between the State and the claimant, the SCA's approach is to settle such cases expeditiously in so far as it is possible to do so on reasonable terms. In cases where liability is fully disputed by the State, all necessary resources are applied to defending such claims robustly.

The Department's records indicate that as at 29th July 2020, the SCA is managing 517 claims on behalf of the Minister for Defence that are at various stages of proceedings. With regard to a specific breakdown of active and settled legal cases that the SCA is handling in the past 6 years to date, this information is not held by the Department in that format. This information has been requested from the SCA and I have been advised that the information cannot be compiled within the timeframe to answer this Parliamentary Question. I will revert to the Deputy when further information is made available to me.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 30 July 2020 in which I advised the Deputy that the information sought regarding the breakdown of active and settled legal cases that the State Claims Agency (SCA) is handling in the past 6 years to date is not held by my Department in this format.

The Deputy will recall that I also advised her that my Department had requested this information from the SCA but that it could not be compiled in the timeframe to answer the Parliamentary Question. The SCA has since reverted with the following information. This information shows the position up to the 31 July 2020, whereas the initial reply to the parliamentary question reflected the number of active cases indicated by Department of Defence records as at 29 July 2020.

The data was extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and shows the active and closed claims managed by the SCA for the Department of Defence and Defence Forces.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Department of Defence and Defence Forces active claims by year

Location	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020 (July)
Department of Defence	14	25	7	7	4	4
Defence Forces	311	300	345	471	549	514
Grand Total	325	325	352	478	553	518

Department of Defence and Defence Forces resolved claims by year

Location	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020 (July)
Department of Defence	3	6	5	1	5	1
Defence Forces	80	89	83	92	93	81
Grand Total	83	95	88	93	98	82

Department of Defence and Defence Forces active claims by claim status as of 31/07/2020.

Location	CM Status	Number of claims
Department of Defence	Claim Under Investigation	1
Claim Litigation	1
Trial	2
Total		4
Defence Forces	Claim Received	7
Claim Under Investigation	174
Claim Litigation	271
Trial	28
Claim Conclusion Started	34
Total		514
Grand total		518

Definitions:

National Incident Management System (NIMS): Incidents (which include claims) are reported using the “National Incident Management System”. This is hosted by the State Claims Agency (SCA) for the HSE, other Healthcare enterprises and State Authorities. An incident can be a harmful Incident (Adverse Event), no harm incident, near miss, dangerous occurrence (reportable circumstance) or complaint.

Claim Resolved Date: The date on which the claim has been finalised, i.e. All financials have been agreed (but not necessarily paid). There may be some outstanding payments to be processed.

CM Status: A Claims Manager perspective field which informs the CM of the current workflow status of the claim. Values present within this field include, for example "Alerted for CM Review", "Trial", "Claim Litigation", etc.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (607)

Bríd Smith

Question:

607. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence the payments for services or goods by his Department to a company (details supplied) since 2015. [20773/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

There have been no payments for good or services made to this company by the Department of Defence since 2015.

EU Battle Groups

Questions (608)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

608. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the PESCO projects Ireland is a participant in or has observer status on; the cost to date of Ireland’s participation in PESCO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20786/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Ireland is currently participating in one PESCO project, namely the Greek led project, Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance.  Costs may arise in respect of participation in specific PESCO projects similar to the case where the Defence Forces participate in European Defence Agency Projects.  In respect of this PESCO project, the only costs borne to date is in relation to Defence Forces attendance at project meetings. 

Ireland is currently Observers on nine PESCO Projects - (1) Deployable Military Disaster Relief Capability Package; (2) Maritime (semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures; (3) Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform; (4) European Secure Software defined Radio; (5) Military Mobility; (6) Energy Operational Function; (7) EU Radionavigation Solution; (8) Counter Unmanned Aerial System; (9) SOF Medical Training Centre.  There is no financial impact for Ireland participating as an observer on a PESCO project other than when a representative from the relevant Directorate or Service within the Defence Forces attends each of the project meetings.  Ireland's commitment at this time is through our attendance at meetings as the projects progress. 

To date no additional costs has been incurred through PESCO related activities other than costs associated with attendance by Defence Forces Subject Matter Experts at PESCO project planning meetings.  The project which Ireland is a participant on is still in the early stage of development, the budgets and timeline for participant's involvement has not yet been fully determined. This may change as project progresses and capabilities are developed and acquired through the PESCO framework. However, it is expected that sharing the costs of capability development across a number of Member States should prove cost neutral in terms of overall projected defence expenditure.

Defence Forces Personnel

Questions (609)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

609. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the reason Defence Forces pensions are abated at the State pensionable age unlike other public sector pensions. [20861/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I presume the Deputy is referring to the cessation of a portion of the military retirement pension of certain Defence Forces pensioners on qualifying for the social welfare State Pension (Contributory).

Under the Defence Forces occupational pension scheme applicable to Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Privates enlisting in the Defence Forces before April 2004, 21 years is the minimum service required for an immediate retirement pension and gratuity, regardless of age. Under this ‘fast accrual’ pension scheme, maximum retirement benefits accrue after 31 years.  The 21-year pension, the rate of which varies according to retiring rank and other factors, is payable for the person’s lifetime.

Where qualifying service is more than 21 years, an ‘additional increment’ is payable at a flat rate (generally €9.02 a week currently) for each year of service in excess of 21 years up to a maximum of 31 years’ service.  This gives a maximum additional increment of €90.20 weekly. However, under the ‘pre-April 2004’ pension scheme rules, this additional increment ceases to be payable if and when the pensioner reaches the prescribed age for the State Pension (Contributory), that is, at age 66 to 68 depending on a person’s date of birth.  The question of a person’s entitlement to a State Pension is, of course, a matter for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

These arrangements are in accordance with the long established principle of integrating occupational pensions with Social Insurance benefits of employees who are in full PRSI class.  This includes NCOs and Privates who are fully insured for the range of social insurance benefits under the Social Welfare Acts, such as the State Pension (Contributory).  

Integration means that a person’s entitlement to social insurance benefits is taken into account when calculating the rate of their occupational pension payable. In an integrated pension scheme, the State Pension or similar contributory Social Welfare benefit is regarded as part of the overall pension package payable to the individual. The integration principle applies right across the public service and, indeed, in many areas of the private sector as well as in other countries.

It might be noted that the method of integration for these ‘pre-April 2004’ military pensioners is more favourable than in other areas of the public service.  In the public service generally, integration begins from the time the occupational pension commences payment, for example from age 60/65 where ‘standard accrual’ pensions apply in pre-2013 public service schemes.  

NCOs or Privates enlisted before April 2004 who serve 31 years having joined the Defence Forces at age 18/20, can qualify for maximum retirement benefits (pension and lump sum) payable immediately from age 49/51, while those retiring with between 22 and 30 years’ service will also have qualified at a younger age for immediate retirement benefits based on their lower service.  However, for all of them, the integration process only begins when the State Pension becomes payable, for example, at age 66. Furthermore, the maximum personal rate of State Pension payable (€248.30 a week currently if under age 80) is considerably more than any reduction that could happen under the Defence Forces pension schemes by virtue of the loss of the additional increment on qualification for the State Pension.  This is the scenario for any former member who retires with between 22 and 31 years’ service under the ‘pre-April 2004’ pension scheme.

On foot of the operation of these arrangements, such retired members are therefore in receipt of their full pension entitlements from my Department in accordance with the relevant pension scheme rules.

The foregoing atypical integration arrangements do not apply to NCOs and Privates enlisting on or after 1 April 2004, and whose occupational pensions are subject to standard integration with social insurance benefits along with other public service employees insured for full PRSI.

Defence Forces Personnel

Questions (610)

Alan Kelly

Question:

610. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of active duty Defence Forces personnel that have died by suicide in the past 15 years; the rank of each; the barracks in which they were posted in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20913/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

All sudden deaths that occur in the Defence Forces are reported to the relevant Coroner's Office. It is a matter for the Coroner to determine the cause of death and this is not recorded by the Defence Forces.

Defence Forces Personnel

Questions (611)

Alan Kelly

Question:

611. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of active duty Defence Forces personnel on medical leave due to mental illness and or stress; the barracks to which they were posted in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20914/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I am advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces are not in a position to provide the information requested as the data is not specifically captured by the medical record system and would require a search through the medical records of each individual member. In addition it would give rise to issues of medical confidentiality and data protection.

Defence Forces Personnel

Questions (612, 613, 614)

Alan Kelly

Question:

612. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by rank in the Army; the number for the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20915/20]

Alan Kelly

Question:

613. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by rank in the Naval Service; the number for the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20916/20]

Alan Kelly

Question:

614. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by rank in the Air Corps; the number for the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20917/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 612 to 614, inclusive, together.

The attached document contains the information in tabular form, as requested by the Deputy.

Strength by Branch and by Rank

The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining, the agreed strength of the PDF at 9,500 personnel.  However, the capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train recruits in 2020 was severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation but those aspects of the induction process that could be conducted remotely continued throughout the year and inductions/training have been resumed taking public health guidelines into account. 

The 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.

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 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.   

Defence Forces Personnel

Questions (615)

Alan Kelly

Question:

615. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by rank in the Reserve Defence Forces; the number for the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20918/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The 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 30 June 2020, are set out below:

Reserve Defence Force

The figures for the First Line Reserve for the same years are as follows:

 As at 30-Jun-20

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

 31-12-19

FORMATION*	OFFR	NCO	PTE	TOTAL
ARMY	16	13	136	164
AIR   CORPS	2	4	20	26
NAVAL   SERVICE	17	12	85	114
TOTAL	35	28	241	304

31-12-18

FORMATION*	OFFR	NCO	PTE	TOTAL
ARMY	16	11	130	157
AIR   CORPS	2	4	19	25
NAVAL   SERVICE	17	9	80	106
TOTAL	35	24	229	288

31-12-17

FORMATION*	OFFR	NCO	PTE	TOTAL
ARMY	22	11	123	156
AIR   CORPS	3	4	19	26
NAVAL   SERVICE	20	7	62	89
TOTAL	45	22	204	271

 While a recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR was opened in March 2020 and 44 new members have been inducted thus far in 2020, the restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic have had a significant impact on many Defence Forces activities, particularly those involving collective training. As such, it has been difficult to conduct RDF inductions.

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.

Defence Forces Remuneration

Questions (616)

Alan Kelly

Question:

616. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the pay grades for non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel of the Defence Forces; the changes in the pay grades over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20920/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The current rates of pay and allowances for all members of Defence Forces are available though the Department of Defence Website

(https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/65e6ec-routinely-published-information/#defence-forces-pay-scales). 

Defence Forces pay has increased in the past five years in accordance with recent public service pay agreements, i.e. the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (the Lansdowne Road Agreement) and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, and in agreement with the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations.

Date	-
1 January 2016	Annualised salaries up to €24,000, increased by 2.5%. Annualised salaries from €24,001 to €31,000, increased by 1%.
1 July 2016	Revised and improved payscales for general service recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013.
1 September 2017	Annualised salaries up to €65,000 increased by €1,000.
1 January 2018	All annualised salaries increased by 1%.
1 October 2018	All annualised salaries increased by 1%.
1 January 2019	Annualised salaries up to €30,000 increased by 1%.
1 September 2019	All annualised salaries increased by 1.75%.
1 January 2020	Annualised salaries up to €32,000 increased by 0.5%.

The increases due to date have been paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel. A further increase of 2% on all annualised salaries is scheduled for 1 October 2020, in accordance wit the Public Service Stability Agreement, 2018-2020.

It should also be noted that new entrants, who joined the Defence Forces since 2011, have also benefited from the measures in relation to interventions at points 4 and 8 of the relevant pay scales.

Defence Forces Funding

Questions (617)

Alan Kelly

Question:

617. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence his plans for investment in the Reserve Defence Forces and for a recruitment plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20921/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The Government appreciates the service of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) and recognises its importance in contributing to Ireland's defence capability.  The 2015 White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF. The Government is committed to further developing the RDF.

At end June 2020, the strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) stands at 1,775 personnel. 114 new members were inducted into the AR and NSR during 2019. A recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR was opened in March 2020 and 44 new members have been inducted thus far in 2020. The ability to conduct RDF inductions has been impacted heavily by the Covid 19 crisis. It is anticipated that another recruitment campaign will be opened in autumn 2020.

Supports being provided to maximise recruitment to the Reserve include the use of social media and outreach activities by RDF members. PDF recruit exit interviews also now contain information on applying for membership of the RDF. 

The Programme for Government 2020 also contains a commitment to establish an Independent Commission on the Defence Forces. This will encompass the role and contribution of the RDF, including its legislation; the regulations governing the RDF, the development of the First Line Reserve (FLR) and whether specialists from the RDF should be able to serve overseas.

Question No. 618 answered with Question No. 589.

Defence Forces Properties

Questions (619)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

619. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the reason no infill licence was applied for in relation to the decision by his Department to fill in the hollow adjacent to a site (details supplied) in County Kildare; the communication between his Department and Kildare County Council on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20985/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I am advised that during the summer of 2017, infill material comprising of clay with trace amounts of construction and demolition materials was deposited on the lands referred to by the Deputy. This occurred in the absence of the appropriate sanction or consent from officials in my Department's Property Management Branch.

Since that time my Department has been engaged in legal correspondence with Kildare County Council regarding this matter and in the circumstances, I am not in a position to comment further.

 I am advised that no further incidents have occurred since that time. Regular monitoring of the infill material has been undertaken in the intervening period and no evidence exists of any environmental pollution in the area as a result of the deposited clay.

Departmental Advertising

Questions (620)

Alan Kelly

Question:

620. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by same; if so, if he will provide the details of the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising and outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs in each of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21025/20]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the amount spent on advertising in publications, broadcast advertising and outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs for campaigns to promote policies or programmes in each of the past two years are set out in the table below.

Campaign

Be Winter Ready	2018	2019	2020
2 Pages Advertisement in Irish Independent	€6,150.00	€7,995.00	NIL
Radio Advertisements on National and Local Radio Stations	€25,221.96	€27,897.98	NIL
Distribution of Be Winter Ready Leaflets in Irish Independent	NIL	€15,498.00	Nil
Be Winter Ready Twitter Campaign	€5,535.00	NIL	NIL
Management of Twitter Campaign	€2,583.00	NIL	NIL
Word Perfect translation	€656.94	€388.02	NIL
OEP Stand at Ploughing Championship	NIL	€2,709.37	NIL
Promotional Material	€5,528.61	€4,452.86	NIL
Bridge Interpreter	€238.80	€276.75	NIL
Civil Defence
Civil Defence Stand Rental Ploughing Championship	NiL	€16,039.85	Nil
TOTAL	€45, 914.31	€75,257.83	NIL

 In addition, but not related to the promotion of policies or programmes, my Department also incurred €24,640.83 in relation to events in 2018 such as the Annual Easter Sunday Commemoration and the 60th anniversary of participation by Ireland in the United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The above costs do not include those arising from advertisement and promotion campaigns run by the Defence Forces, which would primarily relate to recruitment.

School Transport

Questions (621)

Duncan Smith

Question:

621. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the preparation work undertaken to ensure that school buses and bus routes that service schools will have enough capacity when term commences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20293/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.  In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.

Earlier this week I announced a comprehensive plan detailing a package of measures and resources to be provided to facilitate schools in re-opening.  I also published a detailed roadmap for the full return to school. This roadmap set outs how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August.  It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with all relevant stakeholders including Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise in planning for the operation of school transport services for the reopening of our schools. 

School Transport Scheme services operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department will fully operate as normal, in line with public health advice, when schools re-open for the 2020/2021 school year with the appropriate hygiene and other measures in place.   

In line with normal practice, all children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.  Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application and payment process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated. 

Student Accommodation

Questions (622)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

622. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will be taking to protect students entering new lease and or licence arrangements for accommodation for the 2020/2021 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20515/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Students who are renting private accommodation under a lease are entitled to the same legal protections as any other tenant. Tenant rights are set out in the Residential Tenancies Act (2004, as amended). Information on tenant rights and responsibilities are available on the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) website www.rtb.ie.

Student accommodation license terms including cost, duration, refund and cancellation policies should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. Under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 students residing in student-specific accommodation under licence agreements have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The relevant division of the RTB can be contacted by email at [e-mail].  

While I would hope that accommodation providers would show flexibility to students in the current times, agreements between students and accommodation providers are a private matter, and neither I nor my Department have any remit to issue instructions in relation to the private rental market.