Robert Troy
Ceist:11. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the future of Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43288/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraDefence Forces Properties
Ceisteanna (11)
Freagraí scríofa
Custume Barracks is and will continue to be an important operational military barracks. This is evidenced by ongoing investment and upgrades to the barracks. The Department is engaged in an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Under this programme there has been considerable capital investment at Custume Barracks, Athlone in recent years, amounting to some €6.38m from 2009 to date.
The most recent major projects undertaken at the barracks include investment of €932,000 in the construction of Armoured Vehicle Garaging facilities, €1.8 million investment in a Gymnasium and an upgrading of gas and water main facilities including the provision of new underground services and associated works, at a cost of €597,000.
In addition to the major capital projects as outlined above, there are ongoing works required to ensure the upkeep and repair of buildings and provide facilities generally for personnel. Recent examples include the upgrading of Accommodation Blocks ‘K’ and ‘I’ (at a cost of €357,000) in order to provide transit accommodation for personnel, including those relocated under the barrack consolidation programme. Additional locker facilities were also provided, at a cost of €397,000 for personnel transferring into the Barracks over that period.
Air Ambulance Service Provision
Ceisteanna (12)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:12. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the cost to his Department of the operation of the emergency aeromedical support service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41251/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In June 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed between the Department of Defence and the Department of Health in relation to the Air Corps’ support of a pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service which is operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. In accordance with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, my Department recoups from the HSE the costs of the Air Corps’ participation in the pilot service. These include fixed costs, which are salaries and related personnel costs, as well as day-to-day operating costs such as, fuel and maintenance. The total costs recouped from the HSE from the commencement of the pilot to date amount to approximately €3.13m.
Overseas Missions
Ceisteanna (13)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:13. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding Ireland’s participation in the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43289/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the request of the United Nations, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights in Syria since September 2013. The current Defence Forces contingent, the 46th Irish Infantry Group UNDOF, comprises 130 troops and consists of a Force Reserve Company and support elements. Their role includes the provision of a Quick Reaction Force which is on standby to assist with on-going operations within the UNDOF Area of Responsibility. Eight (8) other Defence Forces personnel are also deployed in UNDOF Headquarters, Camp Ziouani, including the Deputy Force Commander Brigadier General Anthony Hanlon.
Fighting between Syrian Arab Armed Forces and Anti Government Armed Elements has recently escalated in the UNDOF area of responsibility. In August 2014 and in response to the hostilities, the Irish contingent, in its capacity as the Force Reserve Company, dealt with several incidents as requested by the Force Commander UNDOF, including assisting with the safe extraction of members of the Philippine Battalion.
Given events on the ground, I called for the UN to undertake a review of the mission, particularly the capacity of the mission to fulfil its mandate in light of the civil war in Syria. Since then there has been a fundamental realignment of the UNDOF mission with a view to minimising unacceptable risks to peacekeepers, while continuing to implement the mission’s mandate. The Headquarters of the UNDOF mission, including the Irish contingent, has now been relocated from Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation to Camp Ziouani on the Israeli side of the area of separation. The UN continues to review the mission and will provide regular updates on the mission to the Security Council in this regard.
Defence Forces Remuneration
Ceisteanna (14)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Ceist:14. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he attended the recent PDFORRA conference; his response to concerns expressed at same regarding the standard of living of members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43290/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I was made aware of a number of issues for the first time at the recent PDFORRA annual conference. I presume the Deputy is referring to the claim that five members of the PDF were sleeping in cars because they could not afford the cost of commuting to their place of work, and claims that approximately 20% of PDFORRA’s membership are availing of Family Income Supplement. There is no reason why any member of the PDF should be sleeping in their car. I am advised that military management wrote to the General Secretary of PDFORRA requesting information to facilitate the chain of command addressing any legitimate concerns of PDFORRA. I understand that a response has been received from PDFORRA and that individual issues raised within it are now being appropriately addressed through the normal operational chain of command.
PDFORRA also asserted that approximately 20% of their membership is availing of Family Income Supplement, qualifying for it because their take home pay had fallen owing to various Public Service Agreements and statutory deductions. As the circumstances surrounding an application for Family Income Supplement are a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Defence is not aware of the number of PDF members that may be in receipt of this financial assistance, or their individual circumstances.
Overseas Missions
Ceisteanna (15)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:15. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is intended to participate with other European countries engaged in peacekeeping-peace enforcement throughout the EU and-or environs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43236/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As of 1st November 2014, Ireland is contributing 418 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 191 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 138 personnel, the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 12 personnel, EU-led operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina with 7 personnel, the EU-led Training Mission in Mali with 10 personnel and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with 7 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with several United Nations missions. With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Due to Ireland’s own current level of commitment in overseas peacekeeping operations, notably to the United Nations Disengagement Force in Syria and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, we are not in a position to make any significant commitment to other missions at this time.
The current contribution of some 418 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.