Denis Naughten
Question:126. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Air Corps air ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45793/21]
View answerAir Corps
Questions (126)
Written answers
The Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary defence and security role. It also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis including the provision of air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The HSE’s Aeromedical Desk in its National Emergency Operations Centre is responsible for the co-ordination of all health-related air transport arrangements. In addition to the Air Corps, the Irish Coast Guard and private air ambulance operators also provide air transport services for the HSE.
The Air Corps’ inter-hospital service operates out of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. This service provides transport for patients and medical teams primarily between hospitals within Ireland and the UK. To the end of August 2021, the Air Corps have completed a total of 38 inter-hospital missions utilising aircraft from the entire fleet, 28 of which were to the UK, including three priority transfers.
The Air Corps also operates the Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) Service. It is a daily, day-time service based out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. Since the commencement of this service in June 2012, the Air Corps has completed over 3,285 missions with 228 missions completed from 1 January 2021 up to 31 August 2021.
While there are no plans to change the current operation of the aeromedical services based out of Baldonnel or Custume Barracks, Athlone, there is a project currently ongoing to ensure the sustainability of the EAS service into the future. Representatives from the Air Corps, the Departments of Defence and Health, the National Ambulance Service and the HSE are members of this project.
Defence Forces
Questions (127)
Michael McNamara
Question:127. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Defence if he will review jurisdictional objections by his Department in response to WRC complaints by members of the forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47131/21]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that statutory exemptions from certain employment legislation come within the remit of my colleague, the Minister Enterprise, Trade and Employment and therefore it is not within my gift as Minister for Defence to review jurisdictional matters relating to complaints made to the Workplace Relations Commission.
Defence Forces
Questions (128)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:128. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the operation of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the Defence Forces which was launched in 2020 and will run until 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46839/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Mental Health Wellbeing Strategy for the Defence Forces, which was launched by me on 2nd December 2020, recognises the unique nature of the experience of military life in Ireland. The aim of the strategy is to provide a coordinated and effective mental health and support system for the personnel of the Defence Forces through the adoption of a series of measures between 2020 and 2023.
Eight supporting objectives (Governance, Resilience, Suicide, Stigma, Critical Incident Stress Management, a Comprehensive Approach, Military Families and a Model for Clinical Support) have been identified as essential components of the strategy to support the principal aim. It is intended that at the end of 2023, mental health and wellbeing support within the Defence Forces will be delivered in a coordinated, multi-disciplinary and directed manner that is designed to produce the best outcomes for the organisation and the military personnel and their families.
On 2nd November 2020, the Deputy Chief Of Staff (Support) issued an order for the convening of the Defence Forces Mental Health and Wellbeing Standing Committee which has responsibility for the implementation of the strategy. The Committee is chaired by the Officer In Charge of the Defence Forces Personnel Support Services and includes representatives of all subject matter experts in the area of mental health and wellbeing within the Defence Forces.
The committee has selected 15 milestones from the strategy for initial consideration during 2021. Each milestone has been allocated to a working group consisting of selected members of the Standing Committee and other key personnel and subject matter experts as required. Work plans have been created and the Working Groups report monthly to a full meeting of the Standing Committee. At these meetings progress achieved is assessed and guidance offered to counter obstacles or to provide direction for action.
At the end of 2021, completed Working Group reports with associated documents will form the basis for a report on the working of the Standing Committee for the period, along with interim reports for Working Groups which are scheduled to continue into 2022. It is expected that the Defence Forces will then be in a position to proceed with the implementation of a Mental Health Strategy for 2024-2029, which will look to build on the progress achieved and ensure the effective delivery of mental health and wellbeing within the Defence Forces to the end of the decade.
EU Meetings
Questions (129)
Seán Haughey
Question:129. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Defence when the next EU meeting of defence ministers will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47037/21]
View answerWritten answers
The next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Defence format [(FAC) Defence], which I plan to attend, is scheduled to take place on the 16th of November in Brussels. While the agenda has yet to be agreed, it is expected that this meeting will continue discussions on the Strategic Compass.
The Strategic Compass is a 2-year process designed to provide enhanced direction for EU security and defence and its level of ambition together with political guidance for future military planning processes. It will define policy orientations and specific goals and objectives in four clusters: (1) crisis management, (2) resilience, (3) capability development, and (4) partnerships.
A draft of the Strategic Compass is expected to be circulated in advance of the FAC Defence, with finalisation of the document foreseen during the French Presidency of the Council in the first semester of 2022.
Questions Nos. 130 and 131 answered with Question No. 92.
Defence Forces
Questions (132)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:132. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence his plans to make the military service allowance pensionable for pre-1990 pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47122/21]
View answerWritten answers
Military Service Allowance (MSA) was first introduced in 1979 to compensate Defence Forces personnel for the special disadvantages associated with military life. Arising from a recommendation made in 1990 by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces (the Gleeson Commission), MSA was made pensionable in the case of personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990. This approach was fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy which provides that the benefit of an allowance being made pensionable for serving personnel does not extend to existing pensioners.
The Final Report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions was published in January 2001 and was considered and broadly accepted by the Government. This Report was the first comprehensive examination of public service occupational pension arrangements since the foundation of the State. The Commission was an independent body and had invited submissions from interested parties, giving those concerned an unprecedented opportunity to put their case on occupational pension issues. I understand that groups representative of military pensioners were among those who made submissions and were met by the Commission.
In its Report, the Commission specifically addressed the issue of the pensionability of allowances (including the MSA) and the consequences for public service pensioners generally. However, having considered the arguments advanced by the groups affected, together with longstanding public service pensions policy in that context and the substantial cost implications involved, the Commission did not recommend any increase for the pensioners concerned. Aside from pre-August 1990 Defence Forces pensioners, the other groups affected include certain retired members of An Garda Síochána and the Prison Service and retired teachers.
In the context of the Government’s subsequent consideration of the Commission’s Report, no change in existing policy on this matter has been authorised or is contemplated and, accordingly, there is no scope for departing from settled public service pensions policy in the case of MSA.
Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 109.
Defence Forces
Questions (134)
Brendan Smith
Question:134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47120/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF and confirms that its primary role is to augment the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in crisis situations.
The strength of the Reserve Defence Force, as of 31 August 2021, is set out in the following table.
|
Service |
Total Effective Personnel |
|
Army Reserve |
1389 |
|
Naval Reserve |
125 |
|
First Line Reserve |
262 |
While the Government remains committed to restoring the strength of the RDF, the same personnel and resources are utilised for both PDF and RDF recruitment. Given the competing recruitment demands at present, PDF recruitment is, and will remain a priority. However, RDF recruitment will also be progressed to the greatest extent possible.
The Military Authorities have further advised that a revised Defence Forces framework for living with COVID -19 is now in place, based on the recent easing of Government restrictions.
This revised framework, I understand, affords more scope for RDF Training within the parameters of government guidelines, and is facilitating the commencement of the RDF Induction Process with planned induction training to commence shortly. This of course, will be subject to continued guidance from Government on easing of restrictions.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government appreciates the service of the Reserve Defence Force and recognises its importance in contributing to Ireland's defence capability.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (135)
Barry Cowen
Question:135. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the role of the Defence Forces in the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47126/21]
View answerWritten 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.
In March 2020, in anticipation of an expected increase in ATCA operations, the Defence Forces raised the Defence Force alert status to Yellow which meant the curtailment or cancellation of certain activities and non-essential training, all sports, all military competitions, travel and ceremonial taskings. As a result the capability and capacity of the Defence Forces to respond to anticipated ATCA requests was augmented.
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 priority of the Defence Forces Joint Task Force from the beginning has been to provide support to the Health Service Executive (HSE), while retaining, at all times, a contingent capacity to provide Aid to the Civil Power support.
To date, the Defence Forces personnel have provided significant supports in response to the Covid-19 crisis, with in excess of 109,000 man days and there have 22,000 instances of vehicles being deployed in an extensive range of supports from the Defence Forces. This has provided surge support to our health services through bolstering their capacity and providing them with the additional resiliency needed to respond to the Covid 19 pandemic.
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 included:
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;
- a range of non clinical and administrative supports in a number of residential care home facilities;
- 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.
Vaccination Programme
The Defence Forces provided logistical and operational planning advice for the national vaccination programme.
Vaccinator support has been provided by the Defence Forces across a number of vaccination centres and Long Term Residential Care settings.
Through the Joint Task Force, the Defence Forces has also supported the rollout of the vaccination programme through:
- Marshalling, administration, logistical and security supports at a number of vaccination sites
- Secure storage supports
- Transportation of vaccinators in adverse weather conditions
- Transportation of vaccines by air at the request of the National Ambulance Service.
Mandatory Quarantine Scheme (MQS)
The Department of Health is the competent authority and has overall responsibility for implementation and operation of the system of MQS in accordance with the Health (Amendment) Act 2021 and associated regulations.
It had been agreed that the Defence Forces, acting in an Aid to Civil Authority role, would provide 24/7 assistance and support to the new mandatory quarantine requirements for passengers arriving from ‘designated states’ in accordance with the Health (Amended) Act 2021 through fulfilling the role of the State Liaison Officer. This role provided for the day to day oversight and quality assurance of the Mandatory Quarantine System. The Defence Forces role was confined to designated airports, ferry ports and at mandatory quarantine facilities.
A Service Level Agreement was put in place between the Department of Health and the Department of Defence for the provision of the Defence Forces support to the Covid 19 MQS.
Under this SLA, the roles fulfilled by the Defence Forces under the State Liaison Official function were:
- Overarching State Liaison Official (SLO) role. The DF provided a senior officer to hold the appointment of the SLO who was the official representative of the State for the MHQS. A designated officer was also appointed to the role of Deputy SLO.
- Assistant State Liaison Official (ASLO) role at Dublin Airport.
- Assistant State Liaison Official (ASLO) role at Cork and Shannon Airports.
- Terminal Liaison Official (TLO) role at Dublin Airport. The TLO role was unique to Dublin airport as there are two terminals.
- Assistant State Liaison Official (ASLO) role at Dublin, and Cork Sea Ports.
- Assistant State Liaison Official (ASLO) role at Mandatory Quarantine Facilities (MQF)
Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 119.
Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 92.
Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 119.
Question No. 139 answered with Question No. 110.
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 119.
Defence Forces
Questions (141)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:141. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the missions abroad the Defence Forces are involved in; if they are all under the aegis of the United Nations; the number of personnel on each mission; the criteria used in selecting each mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47065/21]
View answerWritten answers
As of 2 September 2021, Ireland is contributing 574 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 349 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 134 personnel. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.
Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
The conditions under which the Defence Forces may participate on overseas peace support operations are set out in the Defence Acts. Where the Defence Forces contingent comprises part of an International United Nations Force, the conditions, known as the “triple lock”, must be satisfied, that is the operation must be authorised/mandated by the United Nations; it must be approved by the Government; and it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of a Defence Forces contribution is more than twelve personnel. No Dáil Éireann approval is required where members of the Defence Forces are deployed in a training role, which is consistent with the provisions of Section 3(1)(b) and 3 (1)(d) of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 2006.
Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the following factors are taken into account:
- An assessment of whether a peacekeeping operation is the most appropriate response.
- Consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy.
- The degree of risk involved.
- The extent to which the required skills or characteristics relate to Irish capabilities.
- The existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution.
- Whether the operation is adequately resourced.
- The level of existing commitments to peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home.
The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces Personnel overseas. The changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles need to be considered in the context of assets and capabilities which can be made available by the Defence Forces for overseas deployment, given existing operational demands at home and overseas.
Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed in the following table.
MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS
AS OF 1 September 2021
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ UNIFIL 118th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL Sector West HQ |
9 336 4 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria |
11 |
|
MINUSMA (United Nations mission in MALI) |
14 |
|
MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic of the Congo) |
3 |
|
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side) UNDOF 63rd Infantry Group (Camp Faouar - Bravo side) |
8 126 |
|
TOTAL |
511 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
5 |
|
EUTM Mali (EU-led Training Mission) |
20 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ |
13 |
|
Naval Service EU Mission (Op Irini HQ) |
3 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
552 |
|
|
|
|
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) |
|
|
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
EU MILITARY STAFF |
|
|
Brussels |
4 |
|
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF |
|
|
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
3* |
|
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
Military Representative in PSC Delegation (Brussels) |
8 |
|
Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) |
3 |
|
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
574 |
|
* Includes Major General Maureen O'Brien serving on secondment to the United Nations following her appointment by the UN as Deputy Military Advisor in the Office of Military Affairs, Department of Peace Operations |
Question No. 142 answered with Question No. 92.
Departmental Properties
Questions (143)
Cathal Crowe
Question:143. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if he will accede to a request made by a club (details supplied) to purchase a narrow strip of ground adjacent to its playing pitch from his Department. [46701/21]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise that there are no plans to sell or dispose of the lands referred to by the Deputy.
The Department of Defence does not ordinarily enter into bilateral agreements to dispose of property by way of private treaty. Where lands are identified as being surplus to military requirements, the Department of Defence is required to determine if the Land Development Agency, Government Departments or Local Authorities are interested in acquiring same. Should no such interest be declared, my Department proceeds with the disposal of the property by way of unrestricted competition via public auction for the best obtainable consideration having regard for the market value of the property.