Written Answers Nos. 165-180
165. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the current situation with respect to Irish soldiers who used malarone, doxycycline and lariam for overseas service; if any compensation process is open to soldiers adversely affected by the drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32040/23]
View answerThere are three anti-malarial drugs in use by the Defence Forces, namely Lariam (mefloquine), Malarone and Doxycycline. The choice of medication is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces.
A Working Group reviewed the Defence Forces approach in relation to the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis and to ensure that the procedures in relation to this continue to be appropriate and in accordance with the best international practice. It made a total of twelve recommendations which are intended to ensure that the Defence Forces medical policies and practices continually develop in light of best practice. An Implementation Group was established to implement these recommendations.
Significant precautions are taken by Medical Officers in assessing the medical suitability of members of the Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications. It is the policy of the Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for service overseas, including a medical risk assessment for Lariam. I am advised that the Defence Forces Medical Services are available to any personnel who may have, or who believe they may have been adversely affected by any medication.
The State Claims Agency manages personal injury claims on behalf of the Minister for Defence. These cases relate to a broad range of issues arising as a result of military service. There are a number of claims made by members and former members of the Defence Forces who allege personal injury as a result of their consumption of Mefloquine (Lariam).
It would be inappropriate for me to comment further in circumstances where these matters are the subject of litigation.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a high priority for me and the military authorities.
166. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the adoption of the recommendations outlined in the High-Level Action Plan of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32149/23]
View answerThe Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covered high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken over a period of 5 months by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Following this engagement, a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government were brought to Government and approved on July 12th 2022. The High Level Action Plan set out the response of Government in relation to each of the 130 individual recommendations: Accept, Accept in Principle, Further Evaluation or Revert. 103 of its recommendations were accepted by Government for implementation, or accepted in principle, with 17 requiring further evaluation and a further 10 to revert to Government.
This involved the approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission. The Budget for 2023 included an increase of €67m over the 2022 budget for Defence. This demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security threats.
The High Level Action Plan set out a total of 38 early actions to be completed within 6 months of the Government decision. A comprehensive written update on all 38 early actions was published on March 23rd of this year, and includes the status of each of the 38 early actions in tabular form. At that time over 80% of the early actions had been achieved. Progress continues on the remaining early actions, and to-date approximately 90% have been achieved, with the remainder at an advanced stage and due to be completed shortly.
Government noted that, in light of the Commission’s report, there is an urgent need for HR and cultural transformation in the Defence Forces and this will be prioritised. The High Level Action Plan identified the recruitment, through an open process, for the new senior-level civilian positions of Head of Transformation and Head of Strategic HR for the Defence Forces as early actions required to progress this transformation. I welcome the recent appointment of Mr. Brian Molloy to the position of Defence Forces’ Head of Transformation. The competition to select the Head of Strategic HR has also been recently concluded and the process to appoint the successful candidate is nearing completion.
A key early action, and key output from the opening phase of the Transformation Programme, the development of a detailed implementation plan, is at an advanced stage and is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
When published, it will set out the approach to implementation for each of the 130 recommendations. Effective reporting mechanisms were put in place for the 38 early actions, and once the detailed implementation plan has been published similar reporting mechanisms will track the progress of all the Commission’s recommendations.
More generally, the Strategic Framework we are putting in place to drive the Commission's recommendations through will also be an important enabling mechanism for delivery of the Independent Review Group’s actions.
My priority now is to ensure that there is one Strategic Plan for the transformation of the Defence Forces, fully understood by everyone, that has the appropriate governance and reporting mechanisms, and is properly resourced.
167. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the status of each vessel currently used by the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32150/23]
View answer168. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on whether the Naval Service is currently able to fulfil its current maritime security and defence commitments based on its current staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32151/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
The 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 have the ability to undertake general surveillance, search and rescue, diving operations, drugs interdiction and other duties while conducting their primary day-to-day tasking of providing a fishery protection service. At any one time the Naval Service will have ships that are on active operations around the Irish EEZ whilst others are undergoing routine resupply, maintenance, and down time for ships' companies.
Earlier this year, the Government approved the deployment of LÉ William Butler Yeats as part of Operation Irini for a period of approximately 7 weeks in total which commenced in June 2023. The Defence Forces have confirmed that the Naval Service patrol plan can accommodate the deployment to Operation Irini with minimal impact on operational capability at home. In addition, it is considered that this deployment will be beneficial to Naval Service recruitment and retention and enhance operational experience.
The Naval Service has a fleet of four Offshore Patrol Vessels: –
• P61 LÉ SAMUEL BECKETT,
• P62 LÉ JAMES JOYCE,
• P63 LÉ WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS ,
• P64 LÉ GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
and two Large Patrol Vessels
• P51 LÉ RÓISÍN, which is in operational reserve
• P52 LÉ NIAMH, which is currently undergoing a mid-life refit.
In addition, two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) were purchased from the New Zealand government last year to replace the now decommissioned LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. These vessels arrived in the Naval Base in May 2023 following a year-long project to regenerate and modify the vessels. Following their arrival, the IPVs will undergo a comprehensive programme of works including crew familiarisation and training, prior to the vessels becoming operational by early 2024.
I have previously acknowledged the staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces and in particular the Naval Service, and work is ongoing to counter these. My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
I am satisfied that notwithstanding current challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime security operations.
169. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a breakdown of the numbers of people joining and leaving the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, by month, over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32152/23]
View answerI am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.
170. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update in relation to the replacement of the Government's Learjet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32153/23]
View answerIn January 2023, following a review of extensive Public Spending Code work carried out on behalf of the Interdepartmental Ministerial Air Transport Service Review Group, I instructed my officials to move the MATS project to procurement stage, considering both new and second-hand replacement capability, which can also provide a broader utility role, including strategic reach in crisis situations and medical evacuation.
Given the unknown delivery timeframes associated with aircraft procurements, and concerns around Learjet availability, I also instructed officials to go to the market for a contingency arrangement by way of charter aircraft, to limit the risk of a gap in the availability of a Ministerial Air Transport Service when required.
To that end a civil /military team has been established to progress both procurements. The team are currently working on developing the aircraft specification and are progressing work to identify the most appropriate procurement strategy for the replacement aircraft. In parallel a Request for Tender for the establishment of a Framework Agreement as a Contingency Arrangement for MATS was published in April this year. That procurement process is ongoing and will be concluded shortly.
171. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update in relation to the PC-12 and CASA CN 235 aircrafts damaged in March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32154/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that on 2 March 2023 a CASA CN 235 aircraft, while in the process of being towed out of a hangar, collided with a parked PC-12 aircraft at Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel. A comprehensive flight safety investigation was immediately initiated by the Irish Air Corps into this incident, and this investigation is ongoing.
The PC-12 aircraft has been repaired and returned to service. The CASA CN235 aircraft has been repaired, and is now undergoing comprehensive scheduled maintenance in the Airbus maintenance facility in Spain which will take a number of months to complete.
172. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update in relation to the at least 87 empty Defence Forces family accommodation; what plans there are to utilise these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32155/23]
View answerI have instructed the Defence Forces to carry out an assessment of the vacant housing stock to ascertain their suitability to a return to modern single living in accommodation usage for serving personnel. I am advised that my officials together with the Defence Forces are currently developing proposals to inform the Request for Tenders to commence the procurement process for same. Accordingly , I am not currently in a position to state when such premises, if found suitable, will be available.
173. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of personnel for whom the Defence Forces currently provide accommodation, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32156/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Permanent Defence Force provides a significant level of Single Living Accommodation for serving personnel, where this accommodation is required by personnel for training and operational duties. There are in excess of 4,500 places currently within all the military installations.
In terms of other accommodation, as this information is not readily available in my Department, my Department will liaise with the Defence Forces regarding same and I will arrange to have same forwarded to the Deputy when available.
|
Occupied Dwellings |
Unoccupied Dwellings |
Occupied and Unoccupied |
||||
|
Location |
Military |
Overholders |
Totals |
Location |
Total |
Total |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Cork |
10 |
10 |
|
Dublin |
6 |
14 |
20 |
Dublin |
5 |
25 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
26 |
36 |
Kildare |
63 |
99 |
|
Total |
16 |
40 |
56 |
Total |
78 |
134 |
174. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the various capital works taking place on Haulbowline Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32157/23]
View answerThe Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. Under the IDP there are currently over €110m worth of projects underway at different stages of development in Barracks across the country.
The future development of the Naval Base is a key priority under the IDP and in that regard the Deputy may wish to note the following significant capital projects that are at various stages of the procurement pipeline which are planned to reach and or complete construction in the next 18 month.
• Refurbishment of Buildings 50&51 (FORST) - to be completed by June 2023
• Refurbishment of Block 4 New Accommodation Block – Works expected to commence in 2023
• Refurbishment of Block 9 Office Accommodation- Works expected to commence in 2023
• Old Comms Building Fire Repair & Upgrade/Accommodation Cadets- Works expected to commence in 2024
• Cadets Mess internal alterations and refurbishments- Works expected to commence in 2024
• New Gym at Old Tank Building – Works expected to commence in 2024.
Beyond that timeframe, the Plan also provides for the progression of the following projects by 2027 :
• Remediaton of the ISPAT (former Factory site)
• Dredging Works at the Naval basin
• ISPAT Site Development New Entrance/Security
• Additional Berthage at the West Wall
• Main Workshops Dockyard
• Block 10 Office Development.
175. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the full cost of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, in tabular form, to include the cost of policing and security, the use of locations, and the cost of Department staff involvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32195/23]
View answerWith a growing focus on security and defence issues across Europe and at national level, I decided to convene a national Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. This is the first time the State ever embarked on a national conversation on security and defence issues in this manner. The aim of the Forum was to provide an opportunity for a serious and honest conversation about the international security policy options available to the State, and the implications of each of these. The Forum was a broad discussion, looking at Ireland’s work to protect the rules-based international order, new and emerging threats, our current and future engagement in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), as well as our relationship with NATO through the Partnership for Peace.
The Forum took place over four days in Cork, Galway and Dublin, and saw over 80 panellists moderating or speaking and approximately 1,000 attendees. All discussions were live-streamed with over 10,000 online viewers accessing the live-stream during the Forum. There is still an opportunity for the public to contribute their views in writing. To date, almost 600 submissions have been received. The closing date for further submissions is 7 July and submissions can be made at www.gov.ie/en/consultation/1a35a-public-consultation-on-international-security-policy/#submissions.
Costs related to the Forum will be split on an equal basis between the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The contribution by the Department of Defence will be made from within existing Vote 36 (Defence) resources.
Expenditure related to the Forum is in line with prevailing Public Spending Code guidelines and will ensure all related value-for-money objectives are met.
Given the short time that has passed since the Consultative Forum ended not all payments have been finalised. The figures presented in the table below are indicative and reflect a broad estimate of costs provided in the responses to PQs 27589/23 and 30861/23, and are subject to further revision. The final costs will be available once all payments have been submitted and processed.
An honorarium will be paid to the Chairperson of the Consultative Forum at a per diem rate sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
The Cork and Galway events were held in partnership with University College Cork and the University of Galway respectively. The events in Dublin were held in Dublin Castle. Costs associated with the operation of these venues during the Forum are a matter for the Universities and the Office of Public Works respectively.
Costs in relation to An Garda Síochána support to the Forum are a matter for the Department of Justice.
All salary costs in relation to staff are provided from within existing pay allocations on the Defence Vote and no additional staffing costs arose across the Defence participation in the Forum. Costs in relation to staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs are a matter for that Department.
|
Description |
Estimate € |
|
Technical / Audio Visual |
35,000 |
|
Venue set-up |
20,000 |
|
Catering |
40,000 |
|
Flights |
15,000 |
|
Accommodation |
15,000 |
|
Subsistence and other vouched costs |
5,000 |
|
Transport |
4,000 |
|
Communications, stationary, printing and branding |
40,000 |
176. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a schedule of the grants, grant-aid, low-cost borrowing and funding that his Department can provide to an association (details supplied), heading under which the grants, grant-aid, low-cost borrowing and funding is provided; the maximum amount that can be accessed; and the dates on which the schemes operate. [32273/23]
View answerMy Department does not provide any grants, grant-aid, low cost borrowing or funding to the Organisation or clubs in question.
177. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of males and females that applied to become instrumentalists within the Defence Forces School of Music from the most recent recruitment campaign. [32317/23]
View answerThe military authorities have advised that 27 individuals applied to become instrumentalists within the Defence Forces School of Music in the most recent competition and these applications are currently being processed. The breakdown requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Male |
Female |
|
|
Applications |
21 |
6 |
178. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has spoken with the United States Defence Secretary to date in 2023. [32341/23]
View answerTo date, in my capacity as Minister for Defence, I have not spoken with the United States Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin.However, I look forward to engaging collectively and bilaterally with international colleagues as and when the opportunities present themselves. In that regard, I look forward to an opportunity to speak or meet with the Secretary Austin.
179. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 20 June 2023, the breakdown of the miscellaneous expenses incurred by his Department in the years ending 31 December 2013, 31 December 2014, and 31 December 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32460/23]
View answerSubhead A.22 (Miscellaneous Expenditure) on the Defence Vote provides for a range of expenditure on miscellaneous items and services.
Expenditure incurred under this subhead is varied and includes expenses related to, inter alia, advertising, the operation of the National Emergency Coordination Centre (N.E.C.C.), the Military Service Pensions Archive, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, and other general expenses that are not provided for elsewhere in the Vote.
A breakdown of expenditure over the specified timeframe is outlined in the table below.
Subhead A.22 (Miscellaneous Expenditure) 2013-2015;
|
Subhead |
Miscellaneous Expenditure |
2013€ |
2014€ |
2015 € |
|
A.22.1 |
Expenditure on International Meetings, Ceremonies, etc |
118,450 |
142,370 |
147,397 |
|
A.22.2 |
Advertisements |
140,999 |
122,067 |
178,155 |
|
A.22.3 |
Subvention for Defence Forces Canteen Board |
338,000 |
42,707 |
46,922 |
|
A.22.4 |
Grants for Representative Associations. |
143,141 |
140,014 |
197,823 |
|
A.22.5 |
Books, periodicals, manuals, etc. |
146,054 |
209,225 |
184,264 |
|
A.22.6 |
Other General Expenses |
532,058 |
695,253 |
756,308 |
|
A.22.7 |
Military Service Pensions Archive |
505,227 |
445,278 |
389,212 |
|
A.22.8 |
Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces |
361,003 |
317,042 |
311,212 |
|
A.22.9 |
Grants to Veteran’s Associations |
50,000 |
50,000 |
50,000 |
|
A.22.10 |
National Emergency Co-Ordination Centre |
365,393 |
236,843 |
359,312 |
|
Totals* |
2,700,325 |
2,400,799 |
2,620,605 |
*subject to rounding
180. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence why only seven women were accepted into the Defence Forces in the last call despite over 617 women applying; if he thinks that this low number of female recruits is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32847/23]
View answer|
Did not attend Psychometric Testing |
246 |
|
Failed Psychometric Test / Verification |
151 |
|
Did not attend Fitness Test and Interview |
45 |
|
Failed Medical / Fitness Test |
15 |
|
Duplicate Application |
1 |
|
Does not meet Criteria / Educational Requirements |
9 |
|
Unsuccessful as Outside of the Order of Merit for Cadet Competition |
12 |
|
No Contact After Multiple Attempts |
1 |
I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.
