Written Answers Nos. 133-146
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which sea-going vessels are readily available to the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51150/23]
View answerThe Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The main 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. In relation to fisheries protection, the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone.
On any given patrol day the Naval Service can carry out a number of taskings on behalf of other State agencies such as the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners.
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.
Despite ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, the Naval Service continues to conduct maritime surveillance and fisheries patrols in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the Irish Naval Service Fisheries Monitoring Centre in Haulbowline continue to remotely monitor vessels in the Irish EEZ on a 24/7 basis. Aerial monitoring and surveillance of the Irish EEZ is carried out by the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron using the two CASA CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. These aircraft are being replaced with two new C295 maritime patrol aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment, which following recent delivery are expected to be operational next month.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which issues raised in the recently published report on the Defence Forces have been or are being addressed in full with particular reference to pay and conditions and the need to keep the strength of the forces up to the maximum required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51152/23]
View answerWith its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Government committed to a range of actions to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which will improve pay and conditions.
It is also worth noting in this regard that the Report observed that much of the commentary surrounding issues of pay in the Defence Forces does not seem to fully reflect the totality of the remuneration package and believes that this needs to be better communicated.
The Commission on the Defence Forces was asked to examine the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures currently in place in the Defence Forces, rather than conduct a particular focus on pay. Public sector pay policy is within the remit of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and, therefore, was not within the terms of reference for the Commission.
The Commission on the Defence Forces made a number of recommendations concerning pay structures, which the Department has implemented including:
• Removal of the requirement for a Private 3 Star/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank (as detailed above in terms starting pay rates);
• Payment of the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank of all Private 3 Star/Able Seaman personnel.
In addition to the above, I recently announced new changes to the the existing Naval Service allowances, as a means of simplifying current structures, by consolidating the daily allowance and the sea-going commitment scheme into one enhanced allowance. This is in line with the Commission on Defence Forces recommendation to replace existing sea-going allowances with less complex measures. The sea-going commitment scheme will be abolished from the end of 2023.
Specifically, the current Patrol Duty Allowance, paid to Naval Service personnel, will be doubled after ten days at sea. This measure will take effect from 1 January 2024. This measure is part of our ongoing investment in our Defence Forces, in its people, infrastructure, capabilities and culture. Examples of the impact of this increase in PDA include:
• On current rates of PDA, an enlisted person serving the recommended maximum of 165 days at sea, could earn €10,600 Patrol Duty Allowance, plus €5,000 sea going service commitment scheme per annum, plus a tax credit of €1,500. The changes to the seagoing allowances will provide €20,565 for the period.
• This is in addition to basic pay and military service allowance (MSA), which for a newly enlisted able seaman, amounts to €38,016 on completion of training, bringing potential annual earnings to €58,580.
• A school leaver Cadet on commissioning is paid €41,962. After two years they are promoted to lieutenant and their pay rises to €47,245. Where a graduate joins their pay rate on commissioning begins at €47,245.
• For such officers they will receive an additional €20,570 if they serve 165 days at sea in a calendar year.
As well as this consolidation a naval personnel tax credit is included in the Finance Bill for 2024, for one further year, as a further retention measure.
Further pay measures, including the following, are currently subject to further evaluation by the Department of Defence in discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform:
• On the basis that all personnel are paid the full rate of MSA applicable to their rank, MSA will be abolished and the full applicable rate integrated into core pay.
• Introduction of Long Service Increments to the pay scales of all ranks of enlisted personnel.
• Introduction of a mechanism to provide for ongoing review of the application of existing specialist pay rates and allowances to groups and categories of military personnel, and to make recommendations, within public pay policy parameters, where adjustments are required.
Finally, Deputy, I would point to the fact that the Commission recommended the commencement of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces rank, a measure that that was initiated in September 2023. Previously, various benefits applied to Commissioned Officers only. It will now apply to all personnel and will be of immediate benefit to a further 84% of the Permanent Defence Force based on current strengths. In addition to the comprehensive range of primary care currently provided, this new measure will facilitate referrals to private consultants, as well as the costs of any diagnostic tests
This is a significant enhancement to the overall benefits package for personnel and is unique in the public sector. It continues the significant progress being made by Government in improving the employment conditions of Defence Forces personnel which will also, I believe, act as a recruitment and retention measure, going forward.
137. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the figure provided by his Department to maintain existing levels of service in 2024, under his respective remits ahead of Budget 2024; the figure granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51174/23]
View answerThe Defence Vote group comprises of two Votes, Army Pensions and Defence.
For 2024, an additional Existing Level of Service (ELS) requirement of €86 million was identified on the Defence Vote group, comprising of €70 million on the Defence Vote, including an additional €57 million for capital, and €16 million on the Army Pensions Vote.
Spending on the Army Pensions Vote is mainly demand-led and non-discretionary and following discussions with DPENDPDR, €15 million was provided to the Army Pensions Vote for ELS purposes in 2024.
On the Defence Vote, an additional €34 million (24%) in capital expenditure above the NDP capital ceiling was allocated for 2024. This maintained the capital spending allocation at 2023 levels. It should also be noted that Defence will be seeking further capital funding for 2024 as part of the allocation of €0.25 billion earmarked for 2024 to be funded from exchequer windfall receipts, as set out in the Summer Economic Statement. Beyond that, Defence will ensure that further progress is made through strong positive engagement with DPENDPDR on an anticipated review of Sectoral NDP multi-annual capital allocations for the medium term, set to commence in 2024.
With regard to current expenditure, and mainly to reflect reducing PDF strengths, agreement was reached to provide funding for a PDF strength of 7,700 and additional net recruitment of 400, a reduction of 500 on 2023. This reduced the overall pay allocation on the Defence Vote by €26 million. This amount, plus additional funding of €6 million, was used to address a broad range of ELS spending pressures across the Vote, encompassing Pay and Allowances, Capability Development, DF Built Environment, DF Transport, DF Training & DF Communication. This facilitated a significant increase of €32 million (18%) to the current expenditure allocation of the Defence Vote.
138. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport if permanent speed cameras are a feature on regional Irish roads and national primary routes; and if so, to provide details regarding same. [50951/23]
View answer155. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport if permanent speed cameras are a feature on regional Irish roads and national primary routes; and to provide details regarding same. [50952/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 155 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
With regard to regional and local roads, speed cameras would be the responsibility of An Garda Síochana and the Local Authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
139. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if cases (details supplied) can be looked at on an individual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50518/23]
View answerIndividuals with strokes (including those that affect the occipital lobes) or other medical conditions that potentially impact their ability to drive must submit a medical report, after consultation with a doctor, to the National Driver Licencing Service (NDLS). The information provided by the medical report is considered by the NDLS when determining if an application for a driving licence or permit is granted or renewed.
Guidelines have been developed to assist doctors and other healthcare professionals write medical reports. The Irish guidelines, ‘Sláinte agus Tiomáint Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines’, are compiled by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which has been given statutory responsibility for testing and licencing and which governs the NDLS, in conjunction with the National Office for Traffic Medicine.
The minimum standards of physical and mental fitness required to drive, which the Irish guidelines must meet, are determined by EU legislation and this determines Irish driver licencing law. The EU minimum standards of physical and mental fitness to drive are set out in national legislation in schedule 6 of the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (SI 537 of 2006).
The guidelines also provide medical practitioners with guidance on reviewing the stability, progression, or improvement in an individual’s medical condition. The guidelines are reviewed and updated regularly, most recently in April 2022, to ensure compliance with emerging evidence in the medical literature and with harmonising standards set by EU Directives adopted into Irish law. The current guidelines can be found on the Road Safety Authority website here: www.rsa.ie/services/licensed-drivers/medical-fitness.
140. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons that have used each Local-Link bus route within County Westmeath in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50549/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Westmeath, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten days.
141. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide for an active travel maintenance fund and or provide guidance to local authorities in respect of using unspent allocations to maintain active travel infrastructure; and if he has engaged with the NTA on this matter. [50553/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for the overall policy and funding of Active Travel infrastructure. The allocation of this funding to the various local authorities falls to the National Transport Authority (NTA) who are responsible for overseeing the delivery of both new projects and upgrading of existing infrastructure.
Investment in Active Travel infrastructure has increased significantly in recent years, with around €290 million allocated to the NTA for such projects this year alone. While the provision of new infrastructure is a priority in order to encourage modal shift away from private car use and towards active travel, it is essential that such infrastructure is maintained to a level where it is both attractive and, most importantly, safe to use.
While funding for the maintenance of active travel infrastructure, which is a current funding stream, was not secured in Budget 2024 due to a high level of competing demands both within my Department and across Government, my officials are working to identify alternative funding streams which could be utilised for this important purpose.
142. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport when the preferred route for the Farranfore-Killarney bypass will be known (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50570/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
However I can confirm that €100,000 has been allocated for the N22 Farranfore to Killarney scheme in 2023. The funding for this scheme, as with all schemes, will be kept under review and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII in 2024. The allocations for 2024 are expected to be announced by the end of the year.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the latest status of this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
143. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on what actions are being taken to address the ongoing reliability issues and frequent service cancellations of Dublin Bus routes, specifically the 60 and 151 servicing the Clondalkin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50631/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The Deputy's request for an update on what actions are being taken to address the ongoing reliability issues and frequent service cancellations of Dublin Bus routes, specifically the 60 and 151 servicing the Clondalkin area, is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's request to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
144. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a new facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50633/23]
View answerThe Irish Coast Guard Building Programme is delivered by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and funded by my Department. The provision of a new station building for the Ballyglass/ Belmullet Coast Guard Unit is part of the new build programme. OPW are currently working to identify the most suitable site to provide this facility for the Unit.
OPW’s internal Property Acquisition Section (PAS) has recently completed a full trawl and investigation of the market to identify any possible options that would be suitable to provide a new facility for the unit.
OPW Property Management has received a report from PAS outlining a number of possible options and a senior architect has been appointed to the project team to carry out the feasibility studies of these sites. This process is currently underway and Property Management are expecting feedback shortly.
145. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider changing the policies in respect of NCT certification, in that any vehicle which passes an NCT should receive a minimum of 12 months roadworthiness from the date of any given test, which will reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50741/23]
View answerUnder European Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness testing, Ireland, as for all Member States, must comply with the specified intervals for carrying out such inspections. This is given effect in Irish law by the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (SI 415/2017), as amended.
Regulation 3(2) of the 2017 Regulations provides that the initial test due date for a vehicle is determined by its registration date and subsequent test due dates automatically fall on anniversaries of the registration date. A certificate issued for that vehicle will be valid up to the test due date after the certificate is issued and is not automatically issued for 24 months, or 12 months for vehicles over 10 years old, from the date of testing.
Permitting NCT certificates to be extended beyond the minimum test due dates would place the State in breach of our obligations under EU law and may affect road safety, should the vehicle in question be unsafe to drive. There are no current plans to amend this legislation.
146. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport how many staff members in his Department have received training in cyber security in the past three years; what types of cyber security training programmes have been conducted; if he will provide details of these programmes; and of the staff trained in cyber security, how many have obtained accredited cyber security qualifications. [50808/23]
View answer147. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the expenditure on cyber security consultants and companies within his Department in the past three years; if his Department engaged in cyber security audits with outside firms in the past three years; if so, the expenditure on same; the amount his Department spent on cyber security consultants and companies in the past three years; and for a breakdown of these expenditures by year and type of service provided. [50826/23]
View answer148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if there are any ongoing contracts or commitments with cyber security firms; and if details can be provided [50844/23]
View answer149. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has a policy and plan in place to address a ransomware attack and restore his Department's IT systems. [50862/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146, 147, 148 and 149 together.
Cyber security awareness training is provided to all staff within the Department of Transport on a regular basis. We have significantly increased our cyber security capabilities within the Department over the past three years, by a combination of internal staff training and engaging third parties with specialist security skillsets. The Department cannot disclose details of ongoing contracts with cybersecurity firms due to confidentiality agreements.
The Department has comprehensive cybersecurity policies and business continuity plans in place to address ransomware attacks. Most of the Department's IT footprint is certified under ISO22301, which remains valid until July 2025 on condition that the approved Business Continuity Management Standard is maintained in an adequate and efficacious manner. Additionally, a well-defined incident response strategy helps to swiftly restore the Department's IT systems in case of an attack.
