Thursday, 25 Jun 2015

Written Answers Nos. 118-130

Bord na gCon Administration

Ceisteanna (118)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

118. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General has a note attached to the 2013 Irish Greyhound Board accounts stating that breaches of procurement guidelines continue at the Irish Greyhound Board, and that this is the third year in a row that the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General has pointed out this breach; if ministerial permission has been granted to breach these guidelines; if he is satisfied with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25646/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord na gCon is a statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. It is required to conduct its business in accordance with public procurement and other rules.

I am aware of the matter referred to by the Deputy. In December 2013 my Department commissioned Indecon consultants to carry out a review certain matters relating to Bord na gCon, including matters relating to governance, finance, regulation and welfare.

That review noted the C&AG's findings in relation to procurement, but also indicated that Bord na gCon had improved its procurement function by appointing a procurement officer in August 2013. I understand from Bord na gCon that a significant amount of work has been undertaken since then, including the development and introduction of new protocols relating to the purchase of goods and services, a review of procurement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with European and National legislation and Code of Corporate Governance.

Bord na gCon Administration

Ceisteanna (119)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

119. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that the 2013 Irish Greyhound Board accounts showed a loss of €120,000; that the Secretary General of his Department (details supplied) stated at a recent meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts that the situation for 2014 had deteriorated even further, with losses of €986,000; that the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General also advises in the 2013 accounts that the Irish Greyhound Board will require increased funding; what the estimated increase in funding required to keep Irish Greyhound Board solvent over the next five years is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25647/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Deputy will be aware that I am anxious that Bord na gCon should strengthen its overall financial position and reduce its borrowings over time. Indeed it was in this context that when commissioning the Indecon Report in relation to Bord na gCon, I specifically asked that matters relating to finance be examined. That report makes a number of recommendations in this regard, including in relation to asset disposals, and I am assured by Bord na gCon that it is progressing the implementation of those recommendations.

Notwithstanding this, I have received assurances from Bord na gCon that at all times since March 2012 it has been solvent and operating within agreed bank facilities in relation to liquidity. It has also assured me that it has neither breached its approved bank borrowing limit of €25m at any stage since March 2012, nor requested any increase to the agreed bank facilities.

The deputy will be aware that I have provided an additional €2.756 million to Bord na gCon in 2015 for the support of the greyhound sector. This brings the total provision for Bord na gCon for 2015 to €13.6m. I am also assured that the Bord is taking the necessary steps to improve its financial position, and in this regard I will continue to carefully monitor its progress in implementing the Indecon recommendations.

Bord na gCon Administration

Ceisteanna (120)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

120. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that the Sunday Independent of 14 June 2015 carried an article stating that the Irish Greyhound Board was considering taking legal action against a United Kingdom-based company (details supplied) for unpaid sponsorship; that this sponsorship deal with the company was announced as the biggest ever in the Irish greyhound industry; that he commended the Irish Greyhound Board on receiving it and that he was represented at the launch; in view of this, if he is satisfied with the way the Irish Greyhound Board and its executive behaved during this sponsorship deal; the amount of money the company actually paid for this deal, which greyhound owners were told was worth €750,000; the amount now outstanding; considering that the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General has stated that the Irish Greyhound Board will require further increased funding from the taxpayer just to survive, if he will approve this legal action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25648/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The matter referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon. However, I would expect Bord na gCon to take all appropriate action to recover any sums owing to it, in order to protect its financial interests and those of the taxpayer. Bord na gCon does not require my approval to initiate legal proceedings.

Greyhound Industry

Ceisteanna (121)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

121. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of persons employed in the Irish greyhound industry as of 1 January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25649/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 458 of 9th June, 2015 a report commissioned by Bord na gCon, entitled The Economic & Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry, published in April 2011 and available from BNG, states that:

- the industry employs just over 10,300 people directly and indirectly.

- employment in the greyhound industry is spread very widely across the country. This regional dispersion is reflected in the geographic spread of the 17 racetracks around the country and the ownership of greyhounds in every county.

- the employment is provided in catering at greyhound race tracks, staff employed at tracks owned by the Irish Greyhound Board, staff employed at the privately owned tracks, staff employed in cleaning and security services at all stadia, food and drink suppliers to catering operators, private and public trainers, greyhound food manufacturers and suppliers, ancillary services such as veterinary and medicine, dog owners, betting offices and a number of miscellaneous areas”.

The Deputy has sought an analysis of the numbers employed in the greyhound industry as of 1st January 2015. This information is not readily available.

Defence Forces Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (122)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

122. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the way he plans to comprehensively address the widespread concerns in respect of the continued use of Lariam by the Defence Forces, including a timescale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25233/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

As the Deputy will be aware, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), formerly the Irish Medicines Board is the statutory authority with responsibility for quality, safety and efficacy of medicines in Ireland. The Defence Forces policy, in relation to the use of anti-malaria medication, including Lariam, is in line with current HPRA approved summary of product characteristics (SmPC).

As already indicated, former Ministers for Defence have had the various allegations surrounding the use of Lariam investigated thoroughly and obtained the advice of leading medical experts, who concur with the prescribing practices followed by the Defence Forces.

The choice of medication is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces. That position has not changed and I have no plans at present to further investigate the use of Lariam in the Defence Forces.

Malaria is a very serious disease. It kills approximately 1 million people per year in sub-Saharan Africa alone. It is a grave threat to any military force operating in that area. 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. The anti-malaria regime in place in the Defence Forces, including the use of Lariam, is working.

Anti-malarial medications, including Lariam is licensed by the HPRA and must remain in the formulary of medications prescribed by the Medical Corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by this highly dangerous disease.

Naval Service Operations

Ceisteanna (123)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

123. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if he will clarify his statements to Dáil Éireann that the Defence Forces were solely involved with search and rescue operations in association with the Italian Government, in view of his public comments regarding agreeing a new military mission to deal with smuggling operations in the Mediterranean. [25234/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

L.É. Eithne is not engaged in Operation Triton or in any form of border security operations as part of its deployment to the Mediterranean. Section 3 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 permits, with the approval of the Government, the despatch of the Naval Service vessel and personnel for the purpose of “undertaking humanitarian tasks in response to an actual or potential disaster or emergency”. It does not permit the carrying out of border control-type tasks, such as those undertaken by Operation Triton. The deployment of L.É. Eithne, following Government approval, supports those measures already taken by Italy and other EU States in the area of search and rescue of migrants and the provision of humanitarian assistance as provided under international law.

The humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean is of great concern to Ireland and to our EU partners. L.É. Eithne and her crew are providing an invaluable asset in assisting with the Mediterranean migrant crisis. The success of the operations carried out to date involving the rescue of approximately 2,136 migrants, demonstrates clearly the value of Ireland’s participation in this important humanitarian mission.

At EU level, a Council Decision to launch the European Union military operation, EUNAVFOR MED, was adopted at the formal Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 22 June. The mission is one element of the EU’s comprehensive approach to addressing the migration crisis in the South Central Mediterranean.

Irish Defence Forces Personnel are not currently taking any part in this mission. Consideration of participation by the Irish Defence Forces in EU NAVFOR Med will only occur if there is a UN Security Council Resolution and the applicable National statutory requirements are met. I understand that discussions on a draft Security Council Resolution are ongoing.

White Paper on Defence

Ceisteanna (124)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

124. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence if an association (details supplied) can make a submission on the defence White Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25503/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The public consultation on the White Paper on Defence afforded all members of the public, whether as individuals, as groups or as organisations to make submissions on the formulation of the White Paper. A submission to the White Paper on Defence was received from ARCO during the public consultation phase.

As part of the consultative process, a number of those who made written submissions were invited to meet with civil and military staff of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. The purpose of these meetings was to afford certain individuals and organisations with the opportunity to elaborate further on their submission. It also allowed the personnel from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to explore aspects of the submission. In this context, a meeting was held with ARCO and their further input to the White Paper was obtained.

I recently held a symposium on the White Paper, the purpose of which was to provide a wide stakeholder group with the opportunity to discuss and debate differing policy emphases as part of the concluding phase of the preparation of the new White Paper on Defence. The audience comprised top level civil and military staff of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, representatives from across Irish State Departments and representatives from national and international organisations. Representatives from ARCO were among the symposium participants.

The preparation of the White Paper is nearing completion. Further submissions are not being sought at this stage. I anticipate that the final draft of the White Paper will be submitted to Government shortly.

Defence Forces Reserve Strength

Ceisteanna (125)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the reserved armed forces in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25599/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

In line with one of the recommendations of the VFM Review which provided for retention of a reorganised Reserve with a strength of approximately 4,000 personnel, the establishment of the Army and Naval Service Reserve is 4,069, comprising of 3,869 Army Reservists and 200 Naval Service Reservists. There is no specified strength level for the First Line Reserve. The effective strength of the Army and Naval Service Reserve as at 31st May, 2015 was 2,197 personnel comprising of 2,070 Army Reservists and 127 Naval Service Reservists. The First Line Reserve comprised of a total of 243 personnel as at 31st May, 2015.

Implementation of the VFM Review recommendations is ongoing and progress is being kept under review. Future requirements for the Reserve are being considered in the context of the development of the new White Paper on Defence.

Defence Forces Reserve Training

Ceisteanna (126)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which members of Reserve Defence Force receive annual training to the full extent required, on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25600/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) was published in November 2012. A key recommendation in that review was to ensure that all effective members of the Reserve were afforded the opportunity to undertake annual training. The criteria for effectiveness of RDF personnel are set out in Defence Forces Regulations (DFR R5). The criteria for the effectiveness, including attendance at training are currently being reviewed in line with the recommendation made in the Value for Money Review (VFM) Review of the RDF. DFR R5 will be updated in due course to reflect any changes in these criteria. In the interim, indicative attendance requirements for 2015 were set out in Administrative Order 01/2013, “Implementation of the Defence Forces Reorganisation Plan Reserve Defence Force (RDF), 2012-2013”. In this context, the indicative attendance requirements for individual reservists for 2015 are a total of 48 hours paid/unpaid training and a minimum of 12 hours voluntary unpaid experiential training.

As of 31st May, 2015, the effective strength of the RDF is 2,070 personnel for the Army and 127 for the Naval Service.

Defence Forces Reserve Training

Ceisteanna (127)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which members of the Reserve Defence Forces receive annual or periodic training; the extent of such training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25601/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force was published in November 2012. A key recommendation in that review was to ensure that all effective members of the Reserve were afforded the opportunity to undertake annual training. In order to facilitate the nature of Reserve service, training is organised both in and out of normal working hours and at weekends. Reserve training is also organised during academic and traditional holiday periods in order to maximise attendance of Reserve personnel. Reserve personnel also have the opportunity to complete formal courses of training at Brigade and Formation level and in the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp. Training of the Reserve remains a priority of the Defence Forces.

In 2014 members of the Reserve availed of 23,000 paid training days. The 2015 budgetary provision for paid training for members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve is €2.068 million. This will provide approximately 26,000 paid training days.

Defence Forces Recruitment

Ceisteanna (128)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which recruitment to the Defence Forces has addressed any shortage of personnel in specific areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25602/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. Targeted recruitment has taken place so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel and to ensure the operational capacity of the Defence Forces. As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed stabilised strength of 9,500, targeted recruitment is currently taking place from the panels formed from the current General Service recruitment competition, launched in March 2014. It is planned that these panels will remain in place until they are exhausted. To date in 2015, the following targeted recruitment has taken place and is ongoing:

1. Five direct entry Naval Service Engine Room Artificers have been inducted into the Naval Service in June 2015.

2. A competition to recruit Medical Officers is ongoing.

3. A recruitment campaign for Naval Service Recruits was launched in March 2015 and is ongoing.

4. A recruitment campaign for Instrumentalists in the Defence Forces School of Music is ongoing.

5. A recruitment campaign for a Conductor in the Defence Forces School of Music is ongoing.

6. A recruitment campaign for Cadets is ongoing. There are 56 Cadetships on offer for 2015.

7. A recruitment campaign for 25 Air Corps Technicians is ongoing.

8. A recruitment campaign for the Reserve Defence Force which began in October 2014 is ongoing, with 167 new recruits inducted to date.

With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, I intend to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.

Defence Forces Deployment

Ceisteanna (129)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he expects Irish troop deployment overseas to be of sufficient strength to ensure their viability at all times in particularly hostile environments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25603/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

As of 01 June 2015, Ireland is contributing approximately 497 Defence Forces personnel to 13 missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas including the lead organisation for each mission are listed in the tabular statement. The decision by Government to send troops overseas is never taken lightly. The safety of all Irish Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions is always a concern to me, my Government colleagues and to the military authorities. Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of mission specific training. Such training, which is updated on an ongoing basis in the light of increased threat, has been designed to allow Defence Forces personnel to carry out their tasks and to provide for their protection.

Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment to carry out their mission. This equipment enables troops to fulfil the roles assigned to them, as well as providing the required protection specific to the mission. In addition to training and equipment, ongoing threat assessments are carried out in mission areas and both equipment and force assets are continually reviewed to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their roles.

The reality is that no peacekeeping mission is without danger. I am confident, however that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel currently serving overseas.

I am satisfied that the numbers serving within the Defence Forces overseas is of sufficient strength to ensure their viability at all times.

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS AS OF 01 JUNE 2015

1.	UN MISSIONS
	UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ	9
	UNIFIL 49th Infantry Group	184
	UNIFIL Sector West HQ	4
	UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel and Syria	13
	MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)	3
	MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)	4
	UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast)	2
	UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) HQ, Golan Heights Syria	8
	UNDOF 48th Infantry Group	130
	TOTAL	357
	UN MANDATED MISSIONS
	EUFOR (EU led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)	7
	EUTM Mali (EU led Training Mission)	9
	KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ	12
	RSM (Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan)	7
	TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS	392
2.	OTHER DEPLOYMENTS
	UK EBOLA TREATMENT CENTRE (Sierra Leone)	4
	Naval Service Humanitarian Mission in Mediterranean (L.É. Eithne)	69
	TOTAL NUMBERS OF PERSONNEL OTHER DEPLOYMENTS	73
3.	ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE)
	OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina	2
	Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group Vienna	1
	TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING OSCE	3
4.	EU MILITARY STAFF
	Brussels	5
5.	NORDIC BATTLE GROUP 2015
	FHQ Sweden	14
6.	MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF
	Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York	1
	Military Adviser Irish delegation to OSCE, Vienna	1
	Military Representative to EU (Brussels)	4
	Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels)	2
	EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium	1
	Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium	1
	TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS	497

Defence Forces Properties

Ceisteanna (130)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total receipts from disposal of decommissioned military installations disposed of since 1998; the location of the various barracks or other installations involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25604/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

My Department has been engaged on an ongoing programme of barrack consolidation since 1998. This programme has brought to fourteen the number of barracks closed during that time. The total receipts from disposal of installations and lands from 1998 to date amount to approx €108 million.

To date the sale has been completed on nine of these barracks - Clancy (Dublin), Castleblaney, Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Monaghan, Cavan, Rockhill (Letterkenny), and a large portion of Longford.

In relation to the remaining barracks, agreement has been reached for the sale of Lifford to Donegal County Council, Castlebar to Mayo County Council and Clonmel to Tipperary County Council. It is expected that these sales will be fully completed shortly.

The remaining part of Longford Barracks has been reserved for sale to the Office of Public Works for the local Garda Síochána.

Magee Barracks in Kildare and Columb Barracks in Mullingar remain the property of the Department of Defence. Approximately eight acres of Magee Barracks has been sold to the Department of Education to facilitate the construction of a new school and it is expected to auction the remaining portion of the barracks in 2015.

Columb Barracks in Mullingar is currently used by an Garda Síochána and the Customs Service for training purposes and a large part of the barracks has been licensed to Westmeath GAA Board for use as a potential centre of excellence. Discussions are at an advanced stage with the Board in relation to the possible long term lease of the facility. Discussions are also ongoing with a number of other interested parties regarding future use of Mullingar.

In addition to the barracks outlined above, a number of other properties have also been identified as surplus to military requirements over recent years. These include married quarters, Reserve Defence Force (RDF) premises and training lands. A large number of these have already been disposed of whilst others are in the process of being prepared for disposal.