Written Answers Nos. 1737-1757
1737. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the lack of success in addressing the reduced numbers in the Defence Forces, even after his own Department's recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35504/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to maintaining a strength level of 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force. This comprises 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence.
The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with operational requirements. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces are planning to increase the level of recruitment in 2017 and a number of competitions are currently underway in this regard.
I am advised by the Military Authorities that a total of 590 General Service Recruits were enlisted into the Permanent Defence Force in 2016, of which 501 Recruits were enlisted in the Army and 89 Recruits were enlisted in the Naval Service. In addition, 100 Cadetships were awarded following the 2016 Cadetship Competitions. The total number of General Service Inductions for 2017 to date is 248, of which 200 have been enlisted in the Army, 29 in the Navy, 11 Air Corps apprentices and 8 Direct Entry Naval Service Officers.
The 2017 Cadet Competition was launched on 22 March 2017. In total there were 3,466 applicants for all 7 competitions which are: Army Cadet, Army Engineer Cadet, Army Equitation Cadet, Air Corps Pilot Cadet, Naval Service Operations Cadet, Naval Service Marine Engineer Cadet and Naval Service Electrical Engineer Cadet. A total of 100 Cadet inductions are planned to take place in September 2017. General Service Recruitment Campaigns for both the Army and Naval Service were launched on 23 February 2017. In total there were 5,210 applicants for these competitions. Approximately 480 inductions are planned during the remainder of 2017 commencing in September/October 2017.
There are plans to launch another Air Corps Trainee Military Aircraft Technician Competition shortly and induct up to 25 Apprentices before the end of 2017. With the support of the Chief of Staff, it is intended to continue to recruit new personnel in order to ensure that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and overseas.
1738. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the fact that some members of the Defence Forces have to apply for family income supplement in view of the fact their salary is too low; if this issue will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35505/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1739. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the fact that some members of the Defence Forces have to get a second job to supplement their income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35506/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1738 and 1739 together.
The rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces are set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various parts of the public sector. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-2015 and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (the Lansdowne Road Agreement) define current pay policy for Public Servants and members of the Permanent Defence Force.
The Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) included proposals to increase salaries during 2016 and 2017. These benefits come in the form of increases in gross pay in 2016 for those earning up to €31,000 and in 2017 for all those earning up to €65,000. PDFORRA, (the representative association for enlisted personnel), signed up to the agreement in March 2017. The finalisation of negotiations under the agreement allowed for the commencement of the process for the implementation of pay increases and arrears, which are now being applied to their members.
An increase of 2.5% from 1 January 2016, for annualised salaries up to €24,000 and 1% for annualised salaries between €24,001 to €31,000 was included in the weekly payroll of 5 July 2017. An increase of €1,000 from 1 April 2017, on annualised salaries up to €65,000 per annum was paid on 19 July 2017.
The pay of general service recruits and privates who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013 will be increased further following an agreement reached between the Department of Defence, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and PDFORRA. This revised payscale, which will be backdated to 1 July 2016, and will see the gross pay for general service recruits and privates, who joined the PDF post 1 January 2013, rise by between €2,000 and €6,000 per annum, depending on their point on the incremental payscale. Arrangements are being made to process these payments.
Going forward, there is also potential for further increases arising from the recent negotiations on the extension to the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 contains proposals for:
- a 7.25% increase over the period of the agreement for those earning less than €30,000 per annum
- a 6.75% increase over the period of the agreement for those earning between €30,001 and €32,000 per annum, and
- a 5.75% increase over the period of the agreement for those earning over €32,000 per annum.
The proposals have been presented to the Defence Forces Representative Associations who participated in the negotiation process. They will now be subject to ballot by members of the Associations. Future remuneration of Defence Forces personnel will continue to be dealt with within this process.
1743. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has been asked to consider awarding a posthumous medal to a person (details supplied) who served as an old IRA volunteer; if this request is being appealed; when the family can expect a reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35691/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that a request for a posthumous award of a medal was received in relation to the case referred to by the Deputy.
The case was carefully examined but unfortunately, due to the absence of verified Departmental records, it was not possible to award a posthumous medal in this case. The applicant has been advised of the decision and the reasons why it was not possible to issue a posthumous medal.
My Department is not aware of any ongoing appeal in relation to this matter.
1744. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he or officials in his Department or in the Defence Forces have considered a new scheme in view of the fact the anniversary of the War of Independence approaches, in which families are allowed to apply for posthumous medals particularly when they have sought and received documentary evidence from the Bureau of Military History or other agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35692/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the War of Independence, the Service (1917-1921) Medal was created on 24 January 1941 and was awarded in two classes: - Medal with Bar was issued to all persons in possession of a Military Service Certificate entitling them to a pension under the Military Service Pensions Acts, 1924 to 1934 in respect of the period subsequent to 1916 and prior to 11th July, 1921, and to those persons not in possession of a Certificate who satisfied the Minister for Defence that, had they applied for a pension, their service was such as would have merited the award of a pension.
- Medal without Bar was issued to persons who did not render active service, but who were members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, (Irish Republican Army), Fianna Éireann, Cumann na mBan or the Irish Citizen Army for the three months ending with the Truce of 11th July, 1921.
In certain exceptional situations a medal can be posthumously awarded if no medal was previously issued. However, in order not to diminish the intrinsic value of such medals, this is only done in exceptional cases and only where there is incontrovertible verified evidence available that the criteria for the award of a medal have been met. Given the lapse of time and the lack of verification process at this stage it is very difficult to satisfy the requirements and therefore the award of such posthumous medals is quite rare.
There are records held in the Department but these were maintained for the specific purpose of dealing with applications for medals or pensions and not to act as a record of all activities during the Easter Rising and the War of Independence. Where a person made an application for a pension or medal in respect of their service or involvement in the Easter Rising and/or War of Independence, verified evidence of service was required before the award of a pension or medal was made. Such verification was provided by surviving members of the old IRA and other related organisations who knew of the membership and activities of the applicant. However, not every individual who was involved in Easter Week and/or the War of Independence made an application for a pension or medal and in such cases there would have been no reason to seek or hold verification of membership or activities.
I note the Deputy’s reference to using material from Witness Statements of the Bureau of Military History. However, these statements were not officially corroborated or verified and therefore they cannot be used for medal purposes. The Bureau’s brief was ‘to assemble and co-ordinate material to form the basis for the compilation of the history of the movement for Independence from the formation of the Irish Volunteers on 25th November 1913, to the 11th July 1921’.
The process by which applications and petitions or appeals under the Military Service Pensions Acts were investigated and verified was wound up in 1958 and as you can appreciate there are now no surviving members of the old IRA or related organisations alive who could verify membership. Due to the length of time that has now elapsed there is no mechanism available at this stage by which service and activities, in the absence of existing Departmental records, can be investigated or verified.
Any application for a posthumous medal made to my Department will be carefully considered; however, I have no plans to put in place wider arrangements or lower the criteria in relation to the posthumous award of the Service (1917-1921) Medal.
1745. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions being taken to prevent illegal dumping on the Curragh Plains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36019/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1746. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the operation of clearing the Curragh Plains of nettles and thistles will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36020/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1749. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions the Curragh forum have taken to deal with illegal dumping on the Curragh Plains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36141/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1750. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions that have been taken by the Curragh forum to deal with illegal camping on the Curragh Plains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36142/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1752. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the action his Department can take and has taken in 2017 to deal with incidents of illegal dumping and illegal camping on the Curragh Plains which is causing concerns for local persons and users of the plains; his views on whether these actions are sufficient to deal with the incidents; his further views on whether additional resources or powers are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36506/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1745, 1746, 1749, 1750 and 1752 together.
There are a wide range of challenges and issues to be addressed when dealing with the Curragh. As the Deputies will appreciate, the Curragh being approximately 4,870 acres in area is one of the most open and accessible areas in the country.
At the most recent meeting of the Curragh Forum several actions were agreed to assist in addressing a number of the problems. Notably it was agreed that a review of the Curragh Bye-Laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act would be timely, with a view to identifying amendments that could potentially provide more effective solutions to the issues of illegal encampments, illegal dumping, illegal parking and other key issues. This review is progressing.
The openness and accessibility of the Curragh Plains render many of these issues very difficult to address. Notwithstanding this, illegal dumping and camping are amongst the priorities for my Department. An environmental maintenance contract for the Curragh is in place and in the first six months of this year my Department has spent approximately €117,000 in this regard. The work undertaken includes clean-up operations following illegal camping and dumping, the disposal of rubbish and cutting of nettles and thistles.
The response to illegal dumping is managed by the Department land staff in cooperation with the County Kildare Litter Warden, and in line with the obligations of the Litter Pollution Act 1997. As I have alluded to previously, given the size and openness of the Curragh Plains it is difficult to prevent this activity. However, it is dealt with expeditiously once it has been identified. In relation to illegal camping, Section 19C of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, as inserted by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002, provides that it is an offence for a person to enter on and occupy property without the consent of the owner. Under the provisions of the Act, An Garda Síochána have the power, without warrant, to arrest a person who fails to leave when requested and seize anything they bring onto the property in question. Penalties for persons found guilty of an offence under this section of the Act include fines not exceeding €3,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one month, or both. Accordingly, my officials report all incidents of illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains to An Garda Síochána as soon as they are made aware of them. Some 39 incidents have occurred to date this year.
Work has commenced on cutting weeds, nettles and thistles on the Curragh plains and it is expected to be completed by September. It should be noted that this work must be carried out in accordance with the Noxious Weeds Act 1936.
1747. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the consequences or lessons learned by his Department as a result of the recent High Court award to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36021/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this matter is still before the Courts, it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this time.
1748. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of sick days taken by persons in each arm of the Defence Forces in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017. [36132/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of days sick leave claimed by members of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in the years 2015, 2016 and up to 30 June 2017, as advised by the Military authorities, is outlined in the tabular format below:
2015
|
- |
SICK DAYS OFFICERS |
SICK DAYS OTHER RANKS |
GRAND TOTALS |
|
ARMY |
1,331 |
53,488 |
54,819 |
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
493 |
4,562 |
5,055 |
|
AIR CORPS |
355 |
6,583 |
6,938 |
|
TOTAL |
2,179 |
64,633 |
66,812 |
2016
|
SICK DAYS OFFICERS |
SICK DAYS OTHER RANKS |
GRAND TOTALS |
|
|
ARMY |
1,152 |
59,079 |
60,231 |
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
493 |
4,674 |
5,167 |
|
AIR CORPS |
218 |
6,471 |
6,689 |
|
TOTAL |
1,863 |
70,224 |
72,087 |
2017
|
SICK DAYS OFFICERS |
SICK DAYS OTHER RANKS |
GRAND TOTALS |
|
|
ARMY |
689 |
32,477 |
33,166 |
|
NAVY |
282 |
3,180 |
3,462 |
|
AIR CORPS |
240 |
3,779 |
4,019 |
|
TOTAL |
1,211 |
39,436 |
40,647 |
1751. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of each body or organisation that is scheduled to receive in excess of €1 million from his Department's Vote of expenditure or the group of Votes of expenditure connected with his Department in 2017 for the provision of services by the body or the organisation concerned; the amount involved in each case; if there is a signed service level agreement in place in respect of the services to be carried out by these bodies or organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36154/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not scheduled to provide amounts in excess of €1m voted expenditure to a body or organisation for the provision of services by that body or organisation in 2017.
1753. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the latest profiles in value and outruns forecasted in his Department for the end of December 2017 and any variances that may arise based on his Department’s performance against profile in gross voted expenditure at the end of June 2017. [36564/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total gross budget allocation for the Defence and Army Pension Votes in 2017 is over €921m. This allocation provides for the pay and allowances of the Defence Forces and civil servants and civilian employees in the Defence Sector, ongoing standing and operational costs of the Defence Forces and also facilitates investment in essential equipment and infrastructure. It also provides for the payment of pension entitlements to former members of the Defence Forces as well as funding for Civil Defence and a grant towards the running costs of the Irish Red Cross.
While at the end of June overall gross expenditure was slightly under profile, projections are that the Estimate Provision for 2017 will be fully expended by year-end. My Department will continue to keep expenditure trends under review and provide monthly expenditure reports to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
1754. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of staff in his Department who are suspended from work on full pay; the reason in each case; the length of time in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36727/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present there is one employee of my Department suspended on full pay pending an investigation. In the interests of confidentiality it would not be appropriate to furnish the additional information sought by the Deputy.
1755. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there will be an underspend in his Department's current or capital budget for 2017; if so, the subheads that are now below profile and those that may come in below profile at the end of the calendar year; if underspends in his Department will be available to the central Exchequer at year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36743/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total gross budget allocation for the Defence and Army Pension Votes in 2017 is over €921m, of which some €74m is allocated for capital expenditure purposes. This allocation provides for the pay and allowances of the Defence Forces and civil servants and civilian employees in the Defence Sector, ongoing standing and operational costs of the Defence Forces and also facilitates essential investment in equipment and infrastructure. It also provides for the payment of pension entitlements to former members of the Defence Forces as well as funding for Civil Defence and a grant towards the running costs of the Irish Red Cross. At this stage, projections are that the Estimate Provision for 2017 will be fully expended by year-end. My Department will continue to keep expenditure trends under review and provide monthly expenditure reports to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
1756. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of protected disclosures received from staff in his Department in 2016 and to date in 2017; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36759/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were no protected disclosures submitted by staff of the Department of Defence, current or former, in 2016 or to date in 2017.
1757. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of actuaries working in the Civil Service under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36852/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no staff currently employed as actuaries in my Department.
