Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 7

Written Answers. - Civil Defence.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

20 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence the current numbers available to the Civil Defence in this country; the current preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency responses in place within the Defence Forces. [4790/98]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

175 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the numbers available to the Civil Defence; the preparedness to respond to an emergency; and the emergency responses in place within the Defence Forces. [5210/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Mr. S. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 175 together.

The current number of members in Civil Defence is approximately 10,000.

The activities undertaken by Civil Defence are based on the objectives set out in the "Towards 2000" programme which is focused on community help and support. There is provision in the programme for the involvement of the organisation in major emergencies and a considerable part of training is geared towards this role. There is provision in the major emergency plan for requesting assistance from the Defence Forces both at local and national level. The major emergency plan is the combined co-ordinated plans of the local authority, health board and Garda in the area where the emergency occurs.