Written Answers Nos. 182-191
182. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of people currently employed within his Department highlighting their grade; how many vacancies there currently are within his Department, highlighting their grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11347/24]
View answerThe following table sets out the numbers within the civil service grades employed within my Department across various locations. Recruitment is ongoing with a view to the filling of current vacancies. It should be noted that the number of Assistant Secretaries includes the Defence Forces' Head of Transformation and Head of Strategic HR, who are among 13 civil servants from the Department who are embedded in military units providing a range of specialist inputs including procurement, analytical, and financial expertise.
|
Grade |
Number in Grade |
Number of Current Vacancies |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
- |
|
Assistant Secretary |
7* |
- |
|
Director |
1 |
- |
|
Principal |
30 |
- |
|
Assistant Principal |
66 |
2 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
80 |
9 |
|
Administrative Officer |
5 |
- |
|
Executive Officer |
119 |
2 |
|
Clerical Officer |
92 |
3 |
|
Service Officer |
11 |
- |
|
TOTAL |
412* |
16 |
* see above
183. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence given the recent increase in the age limit entry requirement for An Garda Síochána, if he will consider increasing the age limit entry requirements to join the Defence Forces, for both general service and cadetships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11348/24]
View answerOn 5 March 2024, the Government approved an increase in the maximum age of recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force to 39 years for those roles with a current recruitment age below 39 years. The measure will take effect from 29 March 2024 and will apply to General Service Recruits, Cadets and certain specialists. This increase was facilitated by a decision to increase the mandatory retirement age for all Permanent Defence Force personnel to age 60, where their current mandatory retirement age is less than this figure.
184. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the responsibilities that Minister of State at the Department of Defence currently has within the Defence remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11349/24]
View answerMr. Peter Burke, TD, is the current Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence. The Minister of State assists and performs functions, including Oireachtas business, as assigned by me as Minister for Defence on my behalf. Responsibilities of the Minister of State include the following:
Deputising for the Minister on Defence matters;
Taking all or specific stages of Defence legislation through the Oireachtas;
Taking Oral Parliamentary Questions;
Taking Private Members Business (opening or closing statements) relevant to Defence areas of responsibility;
Taking Dáil topical issues, Seanad Commencement matters relevant to Defence areas of responsibility; and
Being a member of the Council of Defence pursuant to Section 11 of the Defence Act 1954.
185. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to a situation regarding road safety issues in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11276/24]
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 operation and maintenance 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you regarding the impact of the construction of the Listowel Bypass.
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.
186. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the reason councils are being forced to adhere exactly to the safe routes to school programme manual and if local council engineers can be empowered to use discretion on a case-by-case basis. [11428/24]
View answerThe Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting, and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions. This should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school. The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority and An Taisce's Green Schools is co-ordinating the programme.
Invitations to express interest were sent to all primary and secondary schools in the country, and 931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme with 1 school subsequently withdrawing, while a further 108 schools were announced for Round 2 in December 2022. It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in Rounds 1 and 2 will be selected for forthcoming rounds. Round 3 of the SRTS Programme is expected to be announced later this year.
Both the NTA and An Taisce have undertaken significant work in developing design guidance for Safe Routes to School projects which aim to maximise the safety of students, improve the accessibility to school grounds for pedestrians and cyclists and create a welcoming aesthetic outside schools through the creation of School Zones, where possible. Noting the role of the NTA in the programme, I have referred your question relating to adherence to the Safe Routes to School Manual to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
187. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the rationale presented to him by Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the use of a private operator for the Luas, unlike all other rail infrastructure in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11219/24]
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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the selection of Trasndev as the operator for the Luas is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
188. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if it is the policy of Dublin Bus, the National Transport Authority, NTA, or any Transport for Ireland, TFI, bus operators to record bus drivers' bathroom breaks alongside identifying information; given the lack of bathroom facilities at some bus termini and the length of some bus routes, if he thinks such a policy is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11244/24]
View answer189. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport given the duty of care that bus operators have towards their employees, if he or the bus operators have considered the potential impact of any policy to record bus drivers' bathroom breaks alongside identifying information on the mental health of bus drivers on account of compromised privacy; if he or the bus operators have considered the potential impact on the physical health of bus drivers who may be putting off taking necessary bathroom breaks as a result of any policy to record bus drivers' bathroom breaks alongside identifying information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11245/24]
View answer190. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport which persons would have access to any identifiable records of bathroom breaks taken by bus drivers; what measures are in place to ensure that this access policy is adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11246/24]
View answer191. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to make bathroom facilities available for drivers at all bus termini; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11247/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 to 191, inclusive, together.
As 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. I can confirm that my Department does not hold any identifiable records of bathroom breaks taken by bus drivers, nor would the National Transport Authority hold such records.
The questions raised by the Deputy are an operational matter for the individual bus companies: Bus Éíreann; Dublin Bus; and Go-Ahead Ireland, respectively. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to each of the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
