Written Answers Nos. 198-207
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29928/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person, a failed asylum applicant, was notified, by letter dated 5th December, 2008, that the then Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for subsidiary protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned initiated Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in his case. The Judicial Review proceedings were struck out on 12th October, 2010 meaning that the earlier decisions of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the then Minister stood.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. Any representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision, and the consequences of the decision, will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Given that the person concerned has no current right of residency in the State, he would not be in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to persons applying to my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and-or expected status in the case of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29929/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy was approved as the subject of a Family Reunification application and that a letter issued to the person who made the application on 5th March 2012 informing him of the decision. I am further informed by INIS that the letter re-issued to the person who made the application on 13th June 2012.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
201. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons employed within the public sector by his Department or agency and by grade for each year of the five consecutive years for which the most recent data is available. [30458/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible, in the time permitted, to give the Deputy the breakdown requested. To assist the Deputy I am providing the number of whole-time equivalent staff in my Department and agencies staffed by it for the last 5 years.
|
- |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
End of April 2013 |
|
Department of Justice and Equality |
2011 |
1813 |
1915 |
1813 |
1815 |
The structure of my Department has changed and evolved over the years in question. Some examples include; the transfer of over 125 whole time equivalent staff to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2010; 115 whole time equivalent staff returned to the Department in 2011; the transfer of 20 whole time equivalent staff to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in 2012; in excess of 44 whole time equivalent staff have transferred into my Department in 2013 in relation to the setting up of the Insolvency Service of Ireland and the new Payroll Shared Service Centre. Consequently, I would point out to the Deputy that the number of staff for each of the years above are not directly comparable with each other.
202. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons employed within the public sector in the armed forces for the five consecutive years for which the most recent data is available. [29740/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) as at 31 December in each of the last five years is as set out in the table.
|
Year |
PDF Personnel |
|
2008 |
10,408 |
|
2009 |
9,933 |
|
2010 |
9,550 |
|
2011 |
9,438 |
|
2012 |
9,359 |
The figures above include personnel who were on unpaid leave of absence from the Defence Forces.
203. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the proportion of the total number employed in the armed forces as a percentage of the overall public sector for the five consecutive years for which the most recent data is available. [29741/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proportion of the total number employed in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as a percentage of the overall public sector as at 31 December in each of the last five years is contained in the table below.
|
Year |
Public Sector Total |
PDF Total |
% |
|
2008 |
320,387 |
10,408 |
3.25 |
|
2009 |
310,747 |
9,933 |
3.2 |
|
2010 |
305,967 |
9,550 |
3.12 |
|
2011 |
297,327 |
9,438 |
3.17 |
|
2012 |
290,862 |
9,359 |
3.22 |
It should be noted that the figures for the public sector, excluding the PDF, do not include personnel who were on an unpaid leave of absence exceeding eight weeks. The figures for the PDF include such personnel.
204. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if his Department received a report, or reports, in the past ten years from PDFORRA regarding the dangers of administering the anti-malaria drug larium to Irish soldiers; when it was received; and the actions taken on foot of same. [29889/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPDFORRA has raised concerns about the use of Lariam in the past. The most recent was by way of correspondence in May 2013 with a request that an assessment of the use of an alternative anti-malaria drug Malaorne for the use of Permanent Defence Force personnel be carried out.
As the Deputy is aware when I advised in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 29110/13 and 28708/13, malaria is a serious disease that kills approximately 1 million people per year in sub-Saharan Africa alone. It is a serious threat to any military force operating in the area. The anti-malaria regime in place in the Defence Forces – including the use of Lariam – has worked. In the decade of deployment to sub-Saharan Africa by the Defence Forces, not a single member of the Defence Forces has died from malaria and there are only three documented cases of personnel getting malaria.
In relation to the use of Malarone, until September 2012, Malarone was only licensed for up to 28 days continuous use. Given that the usual deployment for the Defence Forces is 6 months, Malarone was not an option for the Defence Forces on overseas tours of duty to malarious areas where the duration of the tour exceeded the 28 day licensing limit for the drug. The 28 day limit was removed in September 2012. There is, however, limited evidence as to the safety and effectiveness of Malarone being used for longer periods and the position is currently being reviewed by the Defence Forces’ Medical Corps.
Over the years concerns have been raised concerning the use of Lariam. I have had all of these concerns investigated thoroughly and have obtained the advice of leading medical experts, who concur with the practices followed by the Defence Forces in prescribing Lariam.
I am satisfied that the anti- malaria regime in place in the Defence Forces, including the use of Lariam has worked.
206. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons employed within the public sector by his Department or agency and by grade for each year of the five consecutive years for which the most recent data is available. [30452/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tables below show the information requested in respect of Civil Servants, Civilian Personnel and the Defence Forces for the years 2008 to 2012.
Civil Service Staff of the Department
|
Number of Staff |
|
Grade Title |
31.12.2008 |
31.12.2009 |
31.12.2010 |
31.10.2011 |
31.12.2012 |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Director |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Principal |
15 |
14 |
13 |
15 |
14 |
|
Professional Accountant |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
36 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
58 |
54 |
54 |
56 |
59 |
|
Administrative Officer |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
84 |
75 |
71 |
71 |
73 |
|
Staff Officer |
36 |
31 |
30 |
29 |
29 |
|
Clerical Officer |
144 |
130 |
122 |
122 |
120 |
|
Storeman |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Head Services Officer |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Service Officers |
14 |
14 |
13 |
10 |
8 |
|
Service Attendant |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Nightwatchman |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Superintendant of Cleaners |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Cleaner |
4 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Special Advisor to Minister |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Press Advisor to Minister |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Personal Assistant to Minister |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Personal Secretary to Minister |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Civilian Drivers |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total Numbers |
410 |
370 |
351 |
349 |
348 |
The bodies under the aegis of my Department in the period 2008 to 2012 were the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The information in respect of the Civil Service staff attached to these Agencies is as follows
Civil Defence
|
Number of Staff |
|
Grade Title |
31.12.2008 |
31.12.2009 |
31.12.2010 |
31.10.2011 |
31.12.2012 |
|
Principal |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Technical Officer Grade II |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
|
Properties Officer |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Executive Officer |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Clerical Officer |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
Storekeeper |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Service Officers |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total Numbers |
26 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
24 |
Army Pensions Board
|
Number of Staff |
|
Grade Title |
31.12.2008 |
31.12.2009 |
31.12.2010 |
31.10.2011 |
31.12.2012 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Total Numbers |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Coiste an Asgard
|
Number of Staff |
|
Grade Title |
31.12.2008 |
31.12.2009 |
31.12.2010 |
31.10.2011 |
31.12.2012 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Staff Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total Numbers |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Civilian Employees attached to Military Installations
|
Number of Staff |
|
Grade Title |
31.12.2008 |
31.12.2009 |
31.12.2010 |
31.10.2011 |
31.12.2012 |
|
Craft Worker |
296 |
276 |
264 |
243 |
213 |
|
General Operative |
278 |
256 |
237 |
211 |
182 |
|
Civilian Clerical |
79 |
78 |
76 |
72 |
65 |
|
Stores Grades |
69 |
67 |
66 |
58 |
57 |
|
Technicians |
26 |
26 |
28 |
27 |
26 |
|
Telephonist |
18 |
18 |
17 |
16 |
15 |
|
Social Worker |
10 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Air Inspector/Instructor |
8 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
Clerk of Works |
7 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
|
Archivists |
- |
7 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
Quantity Surveyors |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Others |
27 |
21 |
19 |
15 |
16 |
|
Total |
820 |
773 |
735 |
668 |
601 |
Defence Forces
Strength of the Defence Forces as at 31 December 2008
|
LT |
MAJ |
BRIG |
COL |
LT |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
TOTAL |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
TOTAL |
PTES |
CADETS |
TOTAL |
|
|
GEN |
GEN |
GEN |
COL |
OFFRS |
NCOS |
||||||||||||||
|
ARMY |
1 |
3 |
7 |
41 |
131 |
305 |
237 |
346 |
1071 |
32 |
39 |
133 |
251 |
1048 |
1467 |
2970 |
4394 |
71 |
8,506 |
|
AIR CORPS |
1 |
2 |
12 |
32 |
56 |
44 |
147 |
7 |
4 |
48 |
15 |
135 |
171 |
380 |
291 |
14 |
832 |
||
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
1 |
2 |
12 |
43 |
42 |
60 |
160 |
6 |
7 |
76 |
15 |
216 |
175 |
495 |
402 |
13 |
1,070 |
||
|
TOTAL |
1 |
3 |
9 |
45 |
155 |
380 |
335 |
450 |
1378 |
45 |
50 |
257 |
281 |
1399 |
1813 |
3845 |
5087 |
98 |
10,408 |
Strength of the Defence Forces as at 31 December 2009
|
LT |
MAJ |
BRIG |
COL |
LT |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
TOTAL |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
TOTAL |
PTES |
CADETS |
TOTAL |
|
|
GEN |
GEN |
GEN |
COL |
OFFRS |
NCOS |
||||||||||||||
|
ARMY |
1 |
2 |
6 |
31 |
115 |
290 |
283 |
313 |
1041 |
26 |
30 |
127 |
233 |
991 |
1429 |
2836 |
4152 |
66 |
8,095 |
|
AIR CORPS |
1 |
1 |
13 |
29 |
66 |
32 |
142 |
7 |
4 |
50 |
13 |
130 |
167 |
371 |
282 |
6 |
801 |
||
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
1 |
13 |
39 |
49 |
62 |
164 |
4 |
6 |
74 |
16 |
210 |
165 |
475 |
379 |
19 |
1,037 |
|||
|
TOTAL |
1 |
2 |
8 |
32 |
141 |
358 |
398 |
407 |
1347 |
37 |
40 |
251 |
262 |
1331 |
1761 |
3682 |
4813 |
91 |
9,933 |
Strength of the Defence Forces as at 31 December 2010
|
LT |
MAJ |
BRIG |
COL |
LT |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
TOTAL |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
TOTAL |
PTES |
CADETS |
TOTAL |
|
|
GEN |
GEN |
GEN |
COL |
OFFRS |
NCOS |
||||||||||||||
|
ARMY |
1 |
1 |
6 |
31 |
101 |
275 |
317 |
295 |
1027 |
24 |
24 |
112 |
218 |
941 |
1336 |
2655 |
4018 |
52 |
7,752 |
|
AIR CORPS |
1 |
2 |
12 |
28 |
69 |
37 |
149 |
5 |
3 |
42 |
12 |
129 |
158 |
349 |
263 |
5 |
766 |
||
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
2 |
11 |
37 |
52 |
59 |
161 |
4 |
5 |
65 |
15 |
205 |
156 |
450 |
403 |
18 |
1,032 |
|||
|
TOTAL |
1 |
2 |
6 |
35 |
124 |
340 |
438 |
391 |
1337 |
33 |
32 |
219 |
245 |
1275 |
1650 |
3454 |
4684 |
75 |
9550 |
Strength of the Defence Forces as at 31 December 2011
|
LT |
MAJ |
BRIG |
COL |
LT |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
TOTAL |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
TOTAL |
PTES |
CADETS |
TOTAL |
|
|
GEN |
GEN |
GEN |
COL |
OFFRS |
NCOS |
||||||||||||||
|
ARMY |
1 |
5 |
31 |
109 |
245 |
335 |
279 |
1005 |
29 |
26 |
95 |
189 |
889 |
1390 |
2618 |
3985 |
42 |
7,650 |
|
|
AIR CORPS |
1 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
25 |
62 |
35 |
140 |
6 |
3 |
35 |
9 |
121 |
174 |
348 |
297 |
6 |
791 |
|
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
1 |
2 |
13 |
32 |
63 |
47 |
158 |
4 |
4 |
53 |
11 |
186 |
180 |
438 |
386 |
15 |
997 |
||
|
TOTAL |
1 |
1 |
7 |
35 |
136 |
302 |
460 |
361 |
1303 |
39 |
33 |
183 |
209 |
1196 |
1744 |
3404 |
4668 |
63 |
9438 |
Strength of the Defence Forces as at 31 December 2012
|
- |
LT |
MAJ |
BRIG |
COL |
LT |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
TOTAL |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
TOTAL |
PTES |
CADETS |
TOTAL |
|
- |
GEN |
GEN |
GEN |
|
COL |
- |
- |
- |
OFFRS |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
NCOS |
- |
- |
- |
|
ARMY |
1 |
1 |
6 |
35 |
109 |
252 |
321 |
241 |
966 |
28 |
33 |
89 |
147 |
782 |
1383 |
2462 |
4041 |
41 |
7,510 |
|
AIR CORPS |
1 |
1 |
1 |
14 |
32 |
56 |
32 |
137 |
8 |
4 |
35 |
13 |
107 |
180 |
347 |
299 |
8 |
791 |
|
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
1 |
2 |
13 |
43 |
56 |
47 |
162 |
6 |
7 |
72 |
15 |
179 |
157 |
436 |
443 |
17 |
1,058 |
||
|
TOTAL |
1 |
2 |
8 |
38 |
136 |
327 |
433 |
320 |
1265 |
42 |
44 |
196 |
175 |
1068 |
1720 |
3245 |
4783 |
66 |
9,359 |
207. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No.177 of the 9 May 2013, in view of the fact that the answer refers only to salary expenses being recouped if he will confirm that pension and other employment costs benefits, and so on, are not recouped; when did the salaries in respect of the two persons begin to be recouped from Horse Sport Ireland Ltd; further in view of the fact that persons (details supplied) who served with Irish Horse Board and Horse Sport Ireland, his views on whether the role of Director General and CEO of these organisation goes well beyond the provision of support services; his plans to introduce legislation or Department rules and regulations to prohibit future public funds from being used to pay the salaries of the chief executive officer of private companies such the Irish Horse Board Cooperative Society Ltd and Horse Sport Ireland Ltd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29733/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to PQ Reference Number 21954/13 of 9th May 2013 which referred to salaries in respect of the two seconded individuals being recouped from Horse Sport Ireland Limited. The overheads including pensions relating to those salaries were also recouped. Recoupment from Horse Sport Ireland in respect of the persons referred to above commenced from the time of their secondment to Horse Sport Ireland.
The three other persons referred to by the Deputy served as Director General of the Irish Horse Board at various times between 1993 and 2008.
