Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2021
224. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the steps he will take to reintroduce the service that was recently stopped in which members of the Civil Defence provide transport to persons who need to attend hospital appointments; the reason the service was stopped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56665/21]
View answerThe Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.
The local authorities have operational responsibility for Civil Defence. There is a Civil Defence Unit in each local authority area. Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant Local Authority for that area and the CDO is a full time employee of the local authority.
The decision of a Civil Defence Unit to provide or to discontinue a particular service is ultimately a matter for each local authority. The Minister for Defence has no role in the day to day management of local Civil Defence Units.
