Written Answers Nos. 224-241
224. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of persons that applied for the post of Head of Transformation and Head of Strategic HR for the Defence Forces; and the number of these persons that were actually called for an interview for these positions, in tabular form. [16936/23]
View answerThe posts to which the Deputy refers, those of Head of Transformation, and of Head of Strategic HR for the Defence Forces, are the subject of open Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) competitions.
The Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) supports and ensures that the recruitment and selection process for the most senior Civil Service posts is accessible to the widest pool of qualified candidates from all sectors. TLAC identify the best candidate for each vacancy and make recommendations to the relevant Minister or Government as appropriate.
TLAC advertise these positions through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The process is administered by PAS and TLAC and both recruitment processes are currently underway and I am not in a position to furnish the information sought.
225. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if clarification will be provided on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17016/23]
View answerAs you know the extended Building Momentum Agreement was agreed in the latter part of 2022 and included three increases to serving personnel.
The primary increase backdated to February 2022 was implemented in December 2022. This was a considerable achievement given the complex nature and structure of Defence Forces pensions.
A decision was taken to implement the October 2022 and March 2023 increases together. This was done for practical and operational reasons due to the complexities, as referred to above, in recalculating the various elements that build up DF pension entitlements, and to avoid or reduce the risk of any potential overpayments arising.
I can confirm that work is well underway and that the target is to have the benefit of these two increases implemented by the May 2023 payroll.
226. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of naval ships that it is possible to put to sea at any one time at present due to staff shortages; whether it is intended to send a ship on duty abroad with either an EU mission or an UN mission; whether he is satisfied the remaining ships and available crew is adequate to secure Ireland's interest in our own territorial waters and economic zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17283/23]
View answerThe Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in that they undertake general surveillance, security and other duties while conducting their primary day-to-day tasking of providing a fishery protection service. At any one time the Naval Service can have a number of ships that are on active operations around the Irish EEZ whilst a number of others are undergoing routine resupply, maintenance and down time for ships companies.
The Naval Service currently has a fleet of six vessels. One ship, LÉ Niamh, is in the process of a mid life refit which is expected to be complete in Quarter 3 2023, and a second ship LÉ Róisín, has been placed in operational reserve. There are four operational ships that remain available.
The Naval Service operates a rotating patrol schedule for all operational ships in an effort to maintain a constant presence in the Irish EEZ, and while there were no naval vessels on patrol for a number of days earlier this month due to crewing issues, the Naval Service Fisheries Monitoring Centre continued to remotely monitor vessels in the Irish EEZ on a 24/7 basis, augmented by Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft.
Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace the decommissioned LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. Both vessels have recently completed their acceptance testing and are currently being transported to Ireland. With a transit time of at least a month, they are expected to arrive in Cork in May. On arrival, the vessels will undergo a comprehensive programme of works, including crew familiarisation and training, which will take place in the vicinity of Cork Harbour and the naval base at Haulbowline. It is expected that these vessels will be in a position to commence operational service in 2024.
The Government recently approved the deployment of a Naval Service Vessel and associated support staff and elements, for service as part of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy naval operation, Operation Irini. This mission operates in accordance with the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution UNSCR 2635 (2022). The approval of Dáil Éireann will now be sought in accordance with the “Triple Lock” provisions of the Defence Acts.
The Defence Forces have advised that the Naval Service patrol plan can accommodate the deployment to Operation Irini, with the impact on operational capability at home minimised. In addition, it is considered that this deployment will be beneficial to Naval Service recruitment and retention and enhance operational experience.
Notwithstanding some challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime surveillance operations.
227. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if it is proposed to follow up on any of the recommendations outlined in the final report of the independent review group of the Defence Forces specifically relating to terms of reference number 13, which refers to issues of an historical nature, and that do not relate to the treatment of women in the Defence Forces; if mechanisms will be put in place to facilitate restorative justice in respect of these other historical cases considered by the review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17294/23]
View answer237. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the upcoming statutory inquiry into gender-based violence, bullying and harassment in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16602/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 237 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, following the publication of the report of the Independent Review Group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces, the Government has agreed to progress all recommendations.
These include the:
• Establishment of a statutory inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious systemic failures in dealing with complaints, including sexual misconduct.
• Setting up an External Oversight Body to increase transparency and accountability; and to drive necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces.
• Urgently reforming the existing mechanisms for making a complaint to restore faith and trust in the complaints process.
Preparing legislation to:-
• establish an independent complaints mechanism for serving members of the Defence Forces;
• establish the External Oversight Body on a statutory basis; and
• amend the Defence Act, 1954 to ensure that all allegations of rape, or aggravated sexual assault in the Defence Forces in the State be referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation. (In the interim, all such cases will be referred to An Garda Síochána.)
• A significant programme of reform and culture change delivered by external experts, with measures to eradicate reprisals and retaliation, and develop new policies on gender, inclusion and diversity.
The Government has moved immediately, to establish the External Oversight Body, on a non-statutory basis initially, as a critical part to drive the necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces and to increase transparency and accountability. This is an essential part of the transformation of the current workplace to support serving members, going forward.
The Government has also agreed to the establishment of a Statutory Inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious systemic failures in the complaints system in the Defence Forces on interpersonal issues, including sexual misconduct.
I am currently consulting with the Attorney General in respect of its establishment and will be reverting to Government on this.
As I have previously stated, I believe that this report is a watershed moment. While it correctly acknowledges the high regard in which the Defence Forces is held, and its decades of peacekeeping roles, it nonetheless, signals the critical need for fundamental and immediate cultural change which goes to the very heart of issues relating to dignity, mutual respect and duty of care. Bullying, misogynistic behaviour, and any form of sexual misconduct is simply unacceptable, and has no place in a 21st century workplace.
I will to assure the Deputy that the process of fundamental change starts now and I will be progressing a comprehensive programme of actions to address the serious shortcomings identified in this report.
I am absolutely determined that this report must be, and will be, the catalyst for transformation of Ireland’s Defence Forces.
228. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the causes for the delays in the induction of recruits and the processing of applications of new recruits in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17383/23]
View answerThe military authorities have advised that there are no systemic delays in the Defence Forces in the induction of recruits and the processing of applications of new recruits.
There are occasions, outside of the control of the Defence Forces, where a small number of applications may take longer to progress for various reasons e.g. providing applicants with an opportunity to repeat aspects of the selection process, as required. However, the Defence Forces maintains contact with applicants to keep them appraised of the status of their application.
229. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the breakdown of personnel, by rank, for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17670/23]
View answerThe strength of the Defence Forces at 31 March 2023 stood at 7,807 personnel or 82% of the current agreed strength of 9,500 personnel.
The attached documents contain the requested breakdown of personnel by rank for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, as of the 31 December 2022 and the 31 March 2023 (the latest date for which such figures are available).
Ongoing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged. My immediate focus is now on stabilising the staffing situation in the Defence Forces and thereafter in bringing the strength to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
Strength as at 31 March 2023
|
Overall |
Army |
Naval Service |
Air Corp |
|
|
Officers |
||||
|
Lieutenant General |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Major General |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Brigadier General (Commodore NS) |
7 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
Colonel (Captain NS) |
41 |
37 |
2 |
2 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel (Commander NS) |
136 |
109 |
13 |
14 |
|
Commandant (Lt Commander NS) |
338 |
251 |
48 |
39 |
|
Captain (Lieutenant NS) |
363 |
264 |
56 |
43 |
|
Lieutenant (Ensign NS) |
351 |
257 |
36 |
58 |
|
Total Officers |
1,239 |
926 |
156 |
157 |
|
Enlisted Personnel |
||||
|
Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer NS) |
41 |
29 |
6 |
6 |
|
Brigade Quartermaster (Senior Chief Petty Officer NS) |
43 |
32 |
7 |
4 |
|
Company Sergeant (Chief Petty Officer NS) |
235 |
109 |
74 |
52 |
|
Company Quartermaster (Senior Petty Officer NS) |
182 |
156 |
12 |
14 |
|
Sergeant (Petty Officer NS) |
910 |
708 |
114 |
88 |
|
Corporal (leading Seaman NS) |
1,354 |
1,136 |
97 |
121 |
|
Private (Seamen NS) |
3,751 |
3,204 |
282 |
265 |
|
Cadet (Classified as enlisted personnel in training) |
52 |
33 |
10 |
9 |
|
Total Enlisted Personnel |
6,568 |
5,407 |
602 |
559 |
|
Total |
7,807 |
6,333 |
758 |
716 |
Strength as at 31 December 2022
|
Overall |
Army |
Naval Service |
Air Corp |
|
|
Officers |
||||
|
Lieutenant General |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Major General |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Brigadier General (Commodore NS) |
7 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
Colonel (Captain NS) |
38 |
33 |
3 |
2 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel (Commander NS) |
133 |
106 |
12 |
15 |
|
Commandant (Lt Commander NS) |
341 |
252 |
50 |
39 |
|
Captain (Lieutenant NS) |
329 |
234 |
54 |
41 |
|
Lieutenant (Ensign NS) |
404 |
301 |
38 |
65 |
|
Total Officers |
1,255 |
934 |
158 |
163 |
|
Enlisted Personnel |
||||
|
Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer NS) |
40 |
26 |
6 |
8 |
|
Brigade Quartermaster (Senior Chief Petty Officer NS) |
42 |
32 |
7 |
3 |
|
Company Sergeant (Chief Petty Officer NS) |
232 |
112 |
73 |
47 |
|
Company Quartermaster (Senior Petty Officer NS) |
182 |
156 |
13 |
13 |
|
Sergeant (Petty Officer NS) |
919 |
706 |
128 |
85 |
|
Corporal (leading Seaman NS) |
1,315 |
1,104 |
89 |
122 |
|
Private (Seamen NS) |
3,902 |
3,333 |
315 |
254 |
|
Cadet (Classified as enlisted personnel in training) |
90 |
66 |
10 |
14 |
|
Total Enlisted Personnel |
6,722 |
5,535 |
641 |
546 |
|
Total |
7,977 |
6,469 |
799 |
709 |
230. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he can provide a copy of the contract for the five-year military medicine training programme, which also covers the three-year service commitment expected of individuals who complete this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17692/23]
View answerI am informed by the military authorities that all Officers in the Defence Forces receive the same Commissioning document after cadet training or, as in the case for Military Medicine trainees, following direct entry as Officers. Specific Terms and Conditions apply to all streams of Officer recruitment including those on the Military Medicine Training Scheme, a copy of which is provided. As set out in these Terms and Conditions, and as for many other academic courses provided to Defence Forces personnel at the expense of the State, there is a service undertaking to the organisation.
231. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Departmental staff currently on sick or stress leave; and the number who took stress or sick leave in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17774/23]
View answerAs of 11 April, 2023, there were eleven civil servants in my Department absent on sick leave.
A breakdown of the number of staff in my Department who were absent on sick leave and those who indicated that a sick leave absence was due to stress, over the past five years, and to date in 2023, is set out below in tabular format.
|
Year |
No. of staff absent on sick leave |
No. of staff indicating sick leave absence due to stress |
|
2018 |
206 |
1 |
|
2019 |
227 |
5 |
|
2020 |
130 |
1 |
|
2021 |
109 |
0 |
|
2022 |
182 |
4 |
|
2023* |
87 |
1 |
* as at 11/04/2023
232. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of allegations of bullying made by departmental staff against departmental staff in each of the past five years, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will detail what actions are being taken by his Department to investigate the allegations or if they are being investigated. [17792/23]
View answerThe table below provides details of the number of complaints of bullying received from civil servants in my Department in each of the years 2018 to date in 2023. Each complaint is assessed and dealt with using the procedures set out in the Civil Service's Dignity at Work policy.
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
To date 2023 |
|
Complaints received |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
233. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Departmental staff dismissed in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17810/23]
View answerThe table below provides details of the number of civil servants in my Department that were dismissed in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023.
|
Year |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
To date in 2023 |
|
No. of Dismissals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
234. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the level of budget expenditure Ireland incurred as a result of Ireland's membership of PESCO, in each of the years 2017 to 2022, respectively; and the proposed funding for 2023. [17993/23]
View answerIreland joined the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017, the establishment of which represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. Under PESCO, Member States come together voluntarily in different project groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations.
As of 12th April 2023, Ireland is participating in (4) four PESCO projects and has Observer status on (17) seventeen.
The four projects in which we are participating are - (1) Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance; (2) Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform; (3) Maritime (semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures and (4) Deployable Military Disaster Relief Capability Package.
The seventeen projects on which we are Observing are – (1) Counter Unmanned Aerial System; (2) Energy Operational Function; (3) EU Military Partnership; (4) EU Radionavigation Solution; (5) European Secure Software Defined Radio; (6) European Union Network of Diving Centres; (7) Future Medium-size Tactical Cargo; (8) Harbour and Maritime Surveillance and Protection; (9) Military Mobility; (10) SOF Medical Training Centre; (11) Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle Amphibious Assault Vehicle Light Armoured Vehicle; (12) Cyber and Information Domain Co-ordination Center (CIDCC); (13) EUFOR Crisis Response Operation Core; (14) European MALE RPAS; (15) European Patrol Corvette; (16) Strategic C2 System for CSDP Missions and Operations (EUMILCOM) and (17) EU Cyber Academia and Innovation Hub (EU CAIH).
Since joining PESCO in 2017, the only costs of our engagement have been those associated with travel to and attendance at PESCO project planning meetings by Defence Forces' Subject Matter Experts.
235. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of persons currently in training to become qualified air traffic controllers for the Air Corps; when each of these persons will qualify, in tabular form. [18259/23]
View answerThe military authorities have provided the following information, as requested:
|
No of Personnel |
ATC Qualification |
Estimated date of completion |
|
3 |
Tower |
Q4 2023 |
|
1 |
Radar |
Q2 2023 |
236. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16555/23]
View answerMy Department currently provides a number of staff to support Ireland's engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy and the related EU institutions, including the European External Action Security, the European Defence Agency and the European Commission. To this end, officials from the Department are assigned to the Political and Security Committee (PSC) delegation within the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union. A number of the staff are also double hatted and support Ireland's engagement in NATO Partnership for Peace through the PfP Liaison Office in Brussels. The total current number of staff within my Department that are based and working in the Permanent Representation in Brussels and in the PfP Liaison Office is 6.
The breakdown of grade and numbers for 2023 is as follows:
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
2 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Total |
6 |
The number of staff within my Department who were based and working in Brussels on 23 June 2016 and the breakdown of numbers and grades are as follows:
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Total |
6 |
238. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the public-state transport stakeholders group commitment from the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16076/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government (PfG) commitment to establish a National Public Transport Forum was incorporated into the Government's National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) - published in April 2022. The policy commits to delivering a significant and ambitious increase in active travel and public transport journeys between now and 2030.
To support this ambition, and to ensure full engagement with all key stakeholders, my Department is convening a national forum this week in Athlone, Co. Westmeath. The National Sustainable Mobility Forum will mark the first anniversary of the SMP, and will provide stakeholders with an update on progress as well as an opportunity to feed into the development of related policy, ensuring sustainable mobility options - walking, cycling, shared and public transport - are increasingly attractive and available to all.
The event will commence with a series of site visits on the afternoon of 19 April showcasing recent sustainable mobility developments within Athlone, including the establishment of Ireland's first all-electric town bus fleet. The Forum itself will take place on 20 April and will feature contributions from the ESRI and a discussion among a diverse group of panellists, including representation from the OECD. This opening session will be followed by workshop discussions on key sustainable mobility areas such as road space reallocation, shared and micro mobility, engaging communities, the school commute, demand management, road safety and public transport services.
The objective of the Forum is to provide a platform for wider collaborative engagement with national, regional and local stakeholders around the implementation of the Sustainable Mobility Policy. As well as delivering on the core objectives of the SMP, participants at the Forum will be encouraged to reflect on the implications of the recent Climate Action Plan and its targets, namely to achieve a 50% increase in daily active travel journeys, a 130% increase in daily public transport journeys, and a 20% reduction in kilometres driven by private cars by 2030.
A broad representation of stakeholders is expected to attend the event including local authorities, councillors, transport operators, public transport users and employees, transport union representatives, government departments and agencies, shared mobility operators, among others.
A recording of the plenary session, including the panel discussion, will be made available for wider circulation after the event. In addition, the views and comments of workshop participants will be captured throughout the day, and these will be incorporated into a report for subsequent publication.
239. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) can sit a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16349/23]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
240. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if an exception can be made for a person (details supplied) who has a driving test coming up but cannot get an NCT appointment which means that she cannot use her own car for the test. [16432/23]
View answerThe operation of the National Driving Test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
However I am informed that customers who have a driving test booked and are unable to get an appointment at their chosen NCT centre beforehand, can call the NCT on 01 4135992 to apply for a prioritised appointment.
241. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has met with the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority regarding their review of the noise coming from the North Runway at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16444/23]
View answerThe Airport Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) is the Airport Noise Regulator, and the authority is a separate and independent Directorate within Fingal County Council.
I can advise the Deputy that along with my Department officials, I met with Fingal County Council earlier this year in relation to a number of matters pertaining to Dublin Airport.
As publicised on its website, in December 2022 ANCA commenced a review of the impact of aircraft noise on the communities around Dublin Airport. daa has been directed to provide operational data to ANCA to inform the review. This data will be assessed on a phased basis over a number of months and the outcome of the review will be made public.
Due to the technical nature and volume of the information required from daa, data will be submitted and assessed on a phased basis over the coming months. Through this process, ANCA will determine if it is necessary to introduce additional noise control measures around Dublin Airport.
This review will examine how the airport has operated since the new runway opened on 24 August 2022 and consider how aircraft operations may affect the areas around the airport in the years ahead.
My Department has no role in relation to the regulation of noise at Dublin Airport or the current review being undertaken by ANCA in relation to the impact of aircraft noise on the communities around Dublin Airport as this is a wholly independent process.
