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Wednesday, 13 Jan 2021

Written Answers Nos. 387-411

Foreign Policy

Questions (387)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

387. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken with the Japanese Prime Minister since his appointment as Prime Minister. [1207/21]

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Written answers

Ireland enjoys strong relations with Japan with a focus very much on political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. While I have not had the occasion to engage with Prime Minister Suga since his inauguration in September, I maintain ongoing contact with my counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Toshimitsu Motegi. We spoke most recently by phone on 27 November, discussing Ireland-Japan bilateral relations, Ireland's priorities for our term on the UN Security Council and the latest state-of-play regarding Brexit.

My Department, including through our Embassy in Tokyo, has a very good working relationship with the Japanese authorities and we look forward to continued strengthening of our bilateral relations in 2021.

Question No. 388 answered with Question No. 384.

United Nations

Questions (389)

Denis Naughten

Question:

389. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD, great green wall project and Ireland's engagement with UNCCD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1406/21]

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Written answers

The Great Green Wall is a Pan-African initiative to restore and sustainably manage land in the Sahel-Saharan region, covering more than 20 African countries. The intervention zone dedicated to the Great Green Wall spans a length of at least 7000 km between Senegal and Djibouti and is home to some 232 million people.

To reach its targets the initiative needs to rehabilitate 8.2 million hectares per year between now and 2030. The initiative involves a broad range of organisations, including the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

In 2020, UNCCD reported that eleven countries participating in the Great Green Wall have collectively rehabilitated approximately four million hectares of land between 2007 and 2019. This has resulted in a number of environmental and socio-economic benefits including the creation of 335,000 jobs.

Ireland makes an annual core contribution to UNCCD. In 2020 this was €27,426.

In addition to our annual contribution, Ireland has made specific contributions to the Great Green Wall initiative.

- In 2018, Irish Aid provided €50,000 to support the production of a documentary on the Great Green Wall. This was released in 2020 and can be viewed at www.greatgreenwall.org/film.

- In 2018, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications provided funding of €1.2 million to UNCCD to help develop a detailed implementation and reporting plan for the initiative.

UN Security Council

Questions (390)

Denis Naughten

Question:

390. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will include the outlawing of the practice of breast ironing during Ireland's term on the UN security Council in view of the fact that this practice has been identified by the United Nations as one of five intersecting and vicious forms of discrimination and forgotten crimes against women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1407/21]

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Written answers

Breast ironing is a form of gender based violence (GBV) and is one of many harmful practices suffered by millions of women and girls globally. Practices such as this, as highlighted by a recent UNFPA report, must be tackled to achieve gender equality. The report highlighted the importance of tackling the root causes, in particular gender-biased norms in society, and the need to invest in grassroots actions by communities to end these practices.

Ending gender based violence and harmful practices is a central priority for Ireland’s foreign and development policy. We will continue to advocate for this strongly across all of our multilateral engagements, including at the Security Council, while continuing to provide funding to partners working to end GBV and harmful practices globally.

Ireland is consistently among those OECD countries with the highest proportion of official development assistance (ODA) which contributes to gender equality. In 2019, approximately 76% (€295 million), of Ireland’s bilateral allocable aid contributed to gender equality. Of this, over €15 million was invested in actions to prevent gender-based violence, or in support of those who have suffered from GBV.

In addition, Ireland contributes a significant amount of multilateral funding to organisations such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNFPA and UN Women who are working to end practices such as breast ironing. Ireland also provides annual funding to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, supporting efforts to address GBV at grassroots level in over 80 countries.

Climate Change Negotiations

Questions (391)

Denis Naughten

Question:

391. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration has been given at EU Council of Foreign Ministers level to pursue an agenda of climate principles that deter carbon offshoring and thereby reduce global emissions to underpin trade and international relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1408/21]

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Written answers

The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (FAC) has yet to deliberate on measures to deter carbon offshoring. The FAC is due to discuss the issue of Climate and Energy Diplomacy on 25 January and Council Conclusions are currently under negotiation. Following adoption of the Council Conclusions on the 25 January we can then look forward to presentation by the Commission of a proposal for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, as planned for in the Commission's 2021 Work Programme. We are not aware at present of plans for such a proposal to be presented to or discussed at FAC.

The 2021 Work Programme of the Commission states an intention to align relevant climate and energy legislation with the newly proposed target to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030, as compared to 1990 levels. This is to be brought together in a “Fit for 55 Package” to implement the European Green Deal. As part of these measures the Commission will propose a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) to help motivate foreign producers and EU importers to reduce their carbon emissions, while ensuring a level-playing field conducive to trade in a WTO-compatible way. This CBAM proposal is planned for the second quarter of 2021 (legislative, including impact assessment).

Passport Applications

Questions (392)

Denis Naughten

Question:

392. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to passport applications; if the passport office is accepting applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1409/21]

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Written answers

The Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19.

The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency passport service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. The service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment.

Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or to travel for urgent reasons, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.

The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. When operations resume at Level 4, all applications received via Passport Online will be processed.

The Passport Service plans to resume processing of routine paper based applications such as Passport Express, Northern Ireland Passport Express and applications for Foreign Birth Registrations at Level 3.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Questions (393)

Denis Naughten

Question:

393. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date on resolving the issue of undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1410/21]

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Written answers

The issue of Irish immigration to the US, particularly the status of the undocumented Irish, has been a high priority for successive Governments and continues to be one of my key priorities. Immigration issues have been raised on an ongoing basis in our engagement with the US Administration and political leaders. I have raised these issues in contacts with the US Ambassador, as well as with members of the US Administration and both Houses of Congress, most recently during my visit to Washington D.C. at the end of September last year.

In the US, our Embassy and Consulates General across the country continue to monitor the situation closely and to engage with US officials on immigration issues, including with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They also actively support Irish community groups that provide assistance and information to vulnerable Irish and the undocumented.

Many of these community groups are members of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, which receive significant annual funding through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP). In 2019, over €3m was allocated to 88 organisations across the US, including those that provide front-line welfare assistance to Irish citizens. Furthermore, in response to the pandemic, a dedicated COVID-19 Response Fund for Irish Communities Abroad was set up to help these organisations meet the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable. In 2020, over €3.6m was paid to diaspora organisations in the US for ESP and Covid related projects.

We look forward to working closely with President-elect Joe Biden and the incoming Administration, as well as with the United States Congress, across the aisle, to pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US. Our Embassy and network of Consulates General will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to engage with any Federal and State initiatives on this issue.

In terms of securing future pathways for immigration, we continue to prioritise the E3 Visa Bill. If passed, this could allow access to thousands of US visas each year to Irish citizens, providing new opportunities to live and work in the US. We will continue to explore all available options for securing this.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (394)

Denis Naughten

Question:

394. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of funding his Department is providing to climate adaptation and mitigation activities in some of the least developed countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1411/21]

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Written answers

In 2019 the Department of Foreign Affairs disbursed €71,327,000 for climate adaptation and climate mitigation activities from the Department's budget for Official Development Assistance. This was a significant increase on the €64,754,000 finance disbursed by the Department in 2018, demonstrating a continued positive trend towards Government's commitment to double the percentage of Official Development Assistance that is climate finance by 2030.

All of my Department's climate finance expenditure is in grant form, and nearly all of it is for adaptation support to Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in line with our mandate to build the resilience of the furthest behind first in the face of the immediate challenges they face due to the climate crisis.

In addition to the contribution by my Department outlined above, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Finance and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also provide climate finance to developing countries.

Brexit Issues

Questions (395)

Denis Naughten

Question:

395. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress in resolving legal jurisdiction over Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough particularly in view of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1412/21]

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Written answers

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, Commonwealth and Development 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 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.

Overseas Development Aid

Questions (396)

Denis Naughten

Question:

396. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the possibility of allowing national parliamentary input in recipient countries on the use of the overseas development aid budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1413/21]

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Written answers

Development cooperation needs to be people-centred and respond to national priorities. Promoting national ownership is one of the key principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. Ireland believes that national ownership is essential to the success of development, especially in reaching the furthest behind first.

Ireland also recognises that Parliaments have a critical role to play in overseeing and scrutinising national development programmes to reduce poverty, build democracy and ensure national ownership.

The 2020 OECD DAC (Development Assistance Committee) Peer Review of Ireland found that ‘a long-lasting commitment to engaging in partnerships is the trademark of Irelands’ development co-operation”. The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to promote the important principle of partnerships with local Parliaments in developing countries. The Department supports programmes to strengthen legislatures ability to scrutinise national development efforts, and to more effectively fulfils its constitutional mandate.

All eleven of Ireland’s Missions in Sub Saharan Africa with responsibility for managing aid programmes, have a strong focus on ensuring that essential services including health, education, and social protection are targeted at those who are furthest behind in the poorest communities. The national strategies supported by the aid programme have all been scrutinised and passed by national Parliaments.

In addition, the aid programme has supported the development of Parliamentary capacity for oversight of budgets and other issues. For example, last year Irish Aid provided funding to the African European Parliamentarians Initiative (AEPI), to advance development issues within Parliaments in a number of countries, in Europe and in Africa. This is intended to foster collaborative action in areas such as capacity building, transparency and accountability, peace and security, and global health.

EU Legislation

Questions (397)

Denis Naughten

Question:

397. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that are being taken at EU level to improve engagement with like-minded member states on EU Commission files and to clearly reflect Irelands concerns on such files at an earlier stage in the legislative process particularly in a post-Brexit era; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1414/21]

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Written answers

Now that the UK has departed the European Union, it is particularly important that Ireland continues to foster its already close relationships with other like-minded Member States, and to enhance collaboration on key priority policies at EU level. Ministers and officials at home and in our European Missions, including staff posted to the Permanent Representation in Brussels, closely monitor files and policy proposals as they progress through Council of the EU Working Groups, raising Irish priorities and concerns and identifying likely shared concerns and leading dialogue with like-minded Member States throughout the legislative process. The objective is to ensure that EU legislation and policy reflects Irish interests as far as possible.

Ireland works closely with like-minded Member States, as appropriate, across a range of different areas including climate action, the Single Market, digital policy, Rule of Law, EU budgetary issues, trade policy, development and human rights matters. Post-Brexit, Ireland is actively building alliances across the EU with like-minded Member States with which we share common goals and interests.

The Government has already initiated a France Strategy and a Germany Strategy aimed at deepening our bilateral relations with those key EU partners and in the coming months I intend to seek approval for a Nordic Strategy which will set out an ambitious plan for closer relations and engagement with this important and dynamic region which includes three of our closest allies in the European Union.

The Government is committed to maintaining a diplomatic Mission in every EU Member State which is an important resource to enable Ireland to work closely and build alliances with like-minded partners on EU policy development.

Human Rights

Questions (398)

Neale Richmond

Question:

398. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions taken following the mass arrest of pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1510/21]

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Written answers

The Government is closely following the situation in Hong Kong following the mass arrest of over 50 people on charges pursuant to the National Security Law, in relation to pro-democracy primary elections held in July 2020.

The EU issued a statement on 7 January which called for the immediate release of those arrested, and urged the authorities to respect Hong Kong's rule of law, human rights, democratic principles, and high degree of autonomy under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. Ireland fully supports this statement.

My Department, through our Consulate General in Hong Kong and our Embassy in Beijing, will remain alert to the situation in Hong Kong and, along with our EU partners, will continue to raise our concerns with Chinese authorities.

Question No. 399 answered with Question No. 382.

Passport Applications

Questions (400)

Matt Carthy

Question:

400. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current backlog for processing passports submitted electronically or via the postal service; the measures he will employ to address this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1540/21]

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Written answers

The Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide Consular Assistance for Irish citizens overseas.

The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency passport service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. The service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment.

Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or to travel for urgent reasons, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.

The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. When operations resume at Level 4, all applications received via Passport Online will be processed. The Passport Service is confident that any backlog will be cleared quickly. When the Passport Service resumed operations in June 2020, the back log was cleared in 4 weeks. It was similar in December 2020 with the majority of the backlog cleared within 3 weeks.

The Passport Service plans to resume processing of routine paper based applications such as Passport Express, Northern Ireland Passport Express and applications for Foreign Birth Registrations at Level 3 of the framework.

Brexit Negotiations

Questions (401)

Matt Carthy

Question:

401. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there will be Irish representatives on the EU-British specialised trade committees of the post Brexit Trade Partnership Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1541/21]

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Written answers

The EU and UK agreed to create a joint body, called the Partnership Council, to efficiently manage the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The Partnership Council is co-chaired by a Member of the European Commission and a representative of the UK at Ministerial level. It meets at least once a year, but can meet more often at the request of either the EU or the UK. Any decision is taken by mutual consent between the EU and the UK.

The Partnership Council oversees the attainment of the objectives of the Agreement. The EU or the UK can refer to the Partnership Council any issue relating to the implementation, application and interpretation of the Agreement.

The Partnership Council is assisted in its work by Specialised Committees, including a Trade Partnership Committee, and in some areas by technical working groups.

Member States, including Ireland, will have the right to participate in meetings of these bodies as part of the EU delegation.

It is in all of our interest that the Agreement works as effectively as possible. The specific programme of work and schedule of meetings for these bodies will be determined in the period ahead. Ireland will engage closely with our EU partners to ensure that our key interests are protected and advanced in this work.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (402)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

402. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details in respect of his Department outsourcing to consultancies specifically Covid-19-related work, services or advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1792/21]

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Written answers

The Department of Foreign Affairs procured the services of Quadra Consulting in 2020 to undertake Covid-19 workplace risk assessments for our offices in Ireland. The service provider was selected from the Office of Government Procurement National Health & Safety Training & Consultancy and Advisory Services Framework. The total value of the services outsourced is €14,700 ex VAT.

Air Corps

Questions (403)

Denis Naughten

Question:

403. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence if Air Corps personnel have now completed training for night flying and landing at Galway University Hospital; when the existing aeromedical service will be expanded; the discussions to date with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44687/20]

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Written answers

There are no issues with training requirements for helicopter operations into Galway Hospital. Night landings are a matter of routine at that location for inter-hospital transfers.

The Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) Service is limited to daytime operations only in line with government decision S180/20/10/1996. This is incorporated in the White Paper on Defence 2015.

There are no plans to change the current operation of the aeromedical services based out of Baldonnel or Custume Barracks, Athlone.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (404)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

404. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Defence if his Department or State agencies under the aegis of his Department have awarded contracts to a company (details supplied); if so, the value of such contracts; if the contracts were tendered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44781/20]

View answer

Written answers

In the period since 2016, my Department has no record of having awarded any contracts to the company referred to by the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (405, 410)

Robert Troy

Question:

405. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence if he will request the Department of Health to prioritise Covid-19 vaccination for members of the Defence Forces leaving the country for active duty in the next six months. [45136/20]

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Neale Richmond

Question:

410. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence when members of the Defence Forces serving overseas can expect to receive a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1280/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 410 together.

As of 4 January 2021, Ireland is contributing 586 Defence Forces personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations.

The main overseas missions in which the Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 350 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 138 personnel.

As part of its response to the global Covid pandemic, on 5 April, 2020 the United Nations Secretary General directed the suspension of all rotations and leave for military personnel serving in UN missions until 30 June 2020. This was followed by a partial resumption of rotations and transitional measures that the UN have directed will apply up until 31 March 2021. These include rigorous quarantine measures for all rotations of military personnel to and from UN peacekeeping operations.

In addition Host Nations also imposed quarantine and Covid testing requirements for military personnel serving in UN missions.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy approved by Government sets out a priority list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and Department of Health, and endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

The Defence Forces are currently identifying the prioritisation of a number of Defence Forces’ cohorts for early vaccination against COVID-19. Vaccinations will be prioritised in the first instance to frontline Defence Force personnel directly involved in the containment of COVID-19 in support of the HSE and in the maintenance of essential frontline services. Personnel selected for overseas service will be prioritised thereafter and may be dependent on the mission area to which they deploy.

In all cases vaccinations, will be in line with the national rollout plan and subject to availability of the vaccine, which is coordinated through the HSE.

Fire Safety

Questions (406)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

406. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide funding to replace the reserve fire tender at the fire station at the Defence Forces training centre given the fire appliance is over 21 years old. [1184/21]

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Written answers

My 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 to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.

The acquisition of new equipment and the upgrading of equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are 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 both at home and overseas. Equipment priorities for acquisition will now also align with the Equipment Development Plan for the Defence Forces published in June 2020. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper on Defence in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed and considered through joint civil-military co-operation, ensuring that the Defence Forces will have the best equipment for the job, based on a determination of priorities from a whole of defence standpoint.

The Defence Forces operate a fire station at the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC), Curragh Camp, a Crash Rescue Service based in Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel, and has a fire crew deployed overseas in Lebanon.

The Defence Forces fire station at the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC), Curragh Camp operates with one fire crew on duty at all times. The main purpose of the fire station is to provide a rapid response in the event of a fire at the Ammunition Depot, and also to respond to fire alarms and fire emergencies within the DFTC.

Certain purchasing is carried out by the Defence Forces directly under delegation of financial responsibility which permits the Defence Forces to procure a wide range of goods and services directly, this includes the purchasing of fire appliances. I am advised by the military authorities that the DFTC fire station is adequately equipped with a Class B Fire Appliance which was delivered in 2018 following an open tender competition, as well as a reserve Fire Tender which was registered in 1999 and a Ford Ranger procured in 2019. Since the procurement of the Class B Fire Appliance in 2018, the reserve Fire Tender has been used exclusively for training purposes. There is currently no requirement for the acquisition of additional fire appliances for the DFTC.

I am satisfied that the Defence Forces continue to have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.

Defence Forces Personnel

Questions (407)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

407. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacant positions for nurses, dentists and physiotherapists in the Defence Forces medical corps. [1185/21]

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Written answers

There are currently thirteen (13) vacancies for Nurses and four (4) for Dental Officers in the DF medical corps. Both the Army Nursing Service and the provision of dental services to DF personnel are currently under review. Following a previous review of the DF Physiotherapy service, sanction was received to appoint 5.5 civilian phyiotherapists on a full-time basis. There are currently 3.5 vacancies in this regard.

Defence Forces Resources

Questions (408)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

408. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Defence if funding will be made available in 2021 for the upgrading of the dining hall at Gormanston camp; and the estimated time frame for such works. [1210/21]

View answer

Written answers

I can confirm that the upgrade of the dining hall at Gormanston Camp forms part of the Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025, with a planned commencement in 2024 for completion in 2025. This Programme is a five year plan that provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe.

Naval Service

Questions (409)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

409. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Defence if there are plans to replace the LÉ Ciara. [1211/21]

View answer

Written answers

My 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 White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh, as well as, in due course, the replacement of the flagship vessel LÉ Eithne. The P50 mid-life upgrade programme is well underway.

LÉ Ciara was built in 1984 and underwent a planned annual dry-docking at the end 2019 and is operational. The vessel has in the last year, for example, assisted the Coast Guard in Search and Rescue operations. As a result of the White Paper commitment to vessel replacement, the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) is the immediate White Paper project in this context. Planning has commenced on this project and it is intended to hold a public tender competition in due course to cover the supply of the MRV, subject to availability of funding within the overall Defence capital funding envelope. Projects for other vessel replacement will be considered over the life-time of the White Paper in the context of overall capability development and funding and the Equipment Development Plan (EDP) process.

The examples given, whilst not exhaustive, demonstrate my commitment to update and upgrade the Defence Forces equipment and maritime capability, within the financial envelope available. In accordance with the National Development Plan, the capital allocation for Defence was increased to €113 million for 2020, an increase of €7 million. The National Development Plan provides for a total of €541 million for Defence over the period 2018-2022. Budget 2021 provides for a further increased gross allocation to €131m in the defence capital budget in respect of equipment and barracks infrastructure. 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.

I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them which is in line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.

Question No. 410 answered with Question No. 405.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (411)

Neale Richmond

Question:

411. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence the roles members of the Defence Forces are currently playing in tackling the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1281/21]

View answer

Written answers

Whilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role. In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is made available for deployments, within current means and capabilities, as the need arises.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government COVID-19 response. It has the authority to draw together, in a joint manner, the contribution of all of the elements of the Defence Forces – Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve, etc. This was provided for in a Defence Forces Regulation signed by and under the authority of the Minister for Defence.

The Defence Forces Joint Task Force is based in McKee Barracks and its priority from the beginning has been to provide support to the HSE, while retaining, at all times, a contingent capacity to provide Aid to the Civil Power support. The wide range of supports that the Defence Forces have provided to the HSE, as coordinated by the Joint Task Force during the COVID-19 crisis include:

- operation of the COVID-19 testing centre at the Aviva stadium;

- support for contact tracing efforts;

- transportation by the Air Corps of COVID-19 tests to Germany;

- collection of PPE from more than 260 cargo flights and the ongoing storage and distribution of this PPE to various HSE sites;

- support for HSE testing efforts including through deployment of Naval Service vessels to Dublin, Cork and Galway;

- PPE training to workers at Cork and Waterford harbours by Naval service personnel;

- provision of tentage and marshalling support at various HSE testing sites around the country;

- transportation of patients for testing;

- assistance with the fit out of temporary facilities for the HSE (for example, the HSE facilities at City West and the University of Limerick);

- production and assembly of PPE using 3D printing facilities; and

- the use of lands at Ballymullen Barracks as a COVID-19 testing facility and contact tracing hub.

In addition to supporting the HSE, the Defence Forces have also provided a broad range of supports to other Departments and Agencies. Provision of this support was also coordinated by the Joint Task Force. Examples include:

- Support has been provided to the National Ambulance Service through Defence Forces ambulance and crew supports along with tele-triage supports.

- Support to the Office of Government Procurement through assistance with storage and distribution of PPE.

- Support to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government through the use of lands at Sarsfields Barracks for the location of one of the National Temporary Body Storage Facilities. The Defence Forces were also on standby to provide support if required at the Dublin based National Temporary Body Storage Facility at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

At the end of December 2020, the Defence Forces had deployed a daily average of 183 personnel to support the Covid 19 response.

The Defence Forces are also represented on the High Level Task Force for Covid-19 Vaccination.

With regard to the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine, the Defence Forces are ready to provide transportation supports where required by the HSE.

While the HSE has not requested the Defence Forces assistance in the actual giving of the vaccine to date, the Defence Forces are developing a training protocol for Defence Forces medical personnel as a contingency measure.

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