Written Answers Nos. 56 - 74
56. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which he has had ongoing discussions with the relevant representative bodies in the Defence Forces with a view to identifying and resolving issues of concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43979/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the issues raised by the various representative bodies within the Defence Forces are being examined with a view to resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44257/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 224 together.
A Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence Force was established in 1993 and provides a formal mechanism for the Permanent Defence Force representative associations.
Having regard to commitments made under national pay agreements, members of the Permanent Defence Force can make representations in relation to their pay and conditions of service through their representative bodies.
Where agreement is not reached, it is open to both official and representative sides to refer the matter to an adjudicator or an arbitration Board to settle the matter. Officials in my Department continue to engage on a regular basis with the Representative Associations in a positive and collaborative process within the C&A Scheme to resolve issues.
I announced my intention previously to review the C&A Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The review will start by the end of 2017 and will be guided by an independent chairperson. Officials in the Department of Defence are finalising the terms of reference for that review and I hope to be in a position to circulate this document to the Representative Associations shortly.
Earlier this month I attended the PDFORRA Annual Delegate Conference. In addition, I am meeting with officials from the Defence Forces Representative Associations tomorrow.
57. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding progress toward the discontinuance of the use of Lariam in the Defence Forces following the passage of a motion in the Houses of the Oireachtas calling for same in June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43977/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the efforts which have been made to withdraw and replace the anti-malaria drug Lariam and implement the proposals contained in the cross-party motion that was passed in the previous Dáil Éireann term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44035/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 59 together.
As I stated in my reply to the Private Members’ Motion, which was before the Dáil on 28 June, fundamentally the use of anti-malarial drugs is a medical matter that should be decided by qualified medical professionals. In the Defence Forces these are decisions for highly qualified Medical Officers having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces.
I would like to again remind the House that there is ongoing litigation in relation to this matter. The State Claims Agency manages claims on behalf of the Department of Defence and has confirmed that to date 56 claims have been made by members and former members of the Defence Forces who allege personal injury as a result of their consumption of mefloquine (Lariam). The first case was scheduled to be heard in the High Court on 4th July last and has now been adjourned to 3 November 2017. You will therefore appreciate that I am constrained in my discussions on the matter.
I wish to assure the House that the health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a high priority for me and for the Defence Forces.
60. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the reference within Landsdowne Road Agreement No. 2 to an interdepartmental working group on the alignment of the mandatory public service retirement age with the payment of the State pension contributory; if the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform informed the Defence Forces representative associations during pay talks that, due to the unique demands of the military service with respect to early mandatory retirement ages, the Minister of the sector could provide, in appropriate circumstances, arrangements to satisfy the entitlement for the State pension contributory for those who pay PRSI class A; and the way in which he will respond to this proposal. [44022/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on discussions he has had with the representative organisations on the issue of mandatory retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43997/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to Paragraph 6.4 of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 which indicates that a review is being undertaken by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with public service employers, of the current statutory and operational considerations giving rise to barriers to extended participation in the public service workforce up to and including the current and planned age of entitlement to the Contributory State Pension.
My understanding is that this review does not address the position of those public servants for whom, due to operational considerations, earlier mandatory retirement ages apply.
I am informed that no commitment was given to the Staff Side by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the recent pay talks, that “the Minister of the sector could provide, where appropriate, arrangements to satisfy the entitlement for the State pension contributory for those that pay PRSI Class A”.
A claim to increase the mandatory retirement age for all officers has been received from the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) under the Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions under the C&A scheme are confidential to the parties involved it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.
62. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department has entered into contracts for the procurement of services or products with suppliers in attendance at a trade fair (details supplied) on foot of the attendance of departmental officials at same. [43975/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe bi-annual Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition was held in London from Tuesday 12 September 2017 to Friday 15 September 2017.
The event was attended by a number of Department of Defence and Defence Forces personnel. Attendance by Defence Organisation personnel at such Defence exhibitions is standard practice and has been a feature at previous exhibitions. It is best practice in Defence acquisition to carry out product and services research at major equipment shows of this nature.
I am advised that the attendance of Department/ Defence Forces personnel at the event did not result in the signing of any new contracts for the procurement of services or products with particular suppliers in attendance at the exhibition. In this regard, all procurement is carried out in accordance with guidelines laid down by Government and with the Directives of the European Union. The purpose of the attendance of Department of Defence and Defence Forces personnel was to visit the many exhibition stands involving the wide range of companies that the Defence Organisation deals with on a regular basis. These include companies involved in the land, sea and air environments, all of which are of interest to the Defence Organisation given the various roles of the Defence Forces at home and overseas. It was also an opportunity for personnel to visit the stands of several Irish companies exhibiting.
The exhibition provided personnel with a valuable opportunity to meet key suppliers across the full spectrum of military and defence equipment and activities. This ties in to the primary purpose for the procurement of such defensive equipment by the Department of Defence which is to enhance the capability of the Defence Forces. Attendance at such events is necessary to ensure that the Defence Forces retain the capabilities to fulfil all roles assigned by Government both at home and overseas.
64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on recent reports that, due primarily to poor pay and conditions, almost 3,000 members of the Defence Forces have taken early retirement in the past five years; the implications for staffing levels in the Defence Forces; his plans to improve conditions for those serving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44050/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the unique and demanding nature of military life, there is understandably a very high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. However, this is not new and t he Defence Forces have always had a large turnover of approximately 500 personnel on an annual basis. In the years between 2012 and 2016, discharges averaged some 581 annually. Moreover, a certain level of turnover is, of course, desirable as a human resource and organisational objective in order to maintain an appropriate age profile across the Defence Forces and to retain an approach to regular revitalisation.
Voluntary exit interviews of personnel of all ranks conducted by the Defence Forces indicate that the reasons for leaving range from economic factors to family circumstances, lifestyle and a desire for a change of career.
To redress the balance of personnel turnover there is significant ongoing recruitment at both enlisted and officer level and it is anticipated that approximately 800 new personnel will have been inducted into the Permanent Defence Force during 2017. This includes general service recruits, apprentices, cadets and direct entry officers. A range of recruitment methods are being employed including direct entry competitions for specialist positions and the scope to further expand direct entry is being considered.
In terms of pay, following sign up by PDFORRA to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, recent adjustments to salary scales will significantly benefit general service recruits and privates who joined the Defence Forces since 2013 (increases of between 8% and 13% depending on scale point). The Public Service Stablility Agreement 2018 -2020 also provides for further pay increases. The fact that further consideration by the Public Service Pay Commission of recruitment and retention issues is provided for under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, is also a welcome development. Further pay increases ranging from 5.75% to 7.25% depending on the individual’s current wage threshold will also be paid under this Agreement.
As the Deputy will be aware, there is a significant ongoing programme of HR development within the Defence Organisation.
I remain committed to maximising recruitment to the Defence Forces and ensuring that, where possible, the terms and conditions of service are as favourable as they can be within the current budgetary parameters.
With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, the Government is committed to retaining 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 abroad.
66. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on reports that training for Defence Forces recruits has been reduced in a bid to reverse an exodus of personnel from the organisation; if the period of basic training for new recruits has been cut from 18 weeks to 16; and his views on whether this is preventing the Defence Forces from reaching minimal operational strength. [44040/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe changes to the Recruit Training Syllabus were the result of a routine review.
Following consultation with Formations, Brigade Training Centres and utilising recruit input by way of questionnaire, the syllabus was reviewed and subsequently reduced in March 2017 from a 17 week course to a 15 week course. The reduction in training time arose from elements of training being deemed more appropriate to a later stage within the development cycle of the enlisted soldier, than hitherto had been the case.
All career courses within the Defence Forces are accredited to outside academic institutions such as NUIM and IT Carlow. These institutions are represented on the Defence Forces Academic Council. From a Quality Assurance perspective, all syllabi and any subsequent changes must be presented to and passed by the Defence Forces Academic Council. The changes to the recruit syllabus were passed by the Academic Council.
I am satisfied that the changes made to the Recruit Training Syllabus are reasonable in the circumstances and were based on a course requirement review.
67. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will review the decision to disestablish the 4th Western Brigade and the implications arising from the reduction in the number of Army brigades from three to two; if none of the three Army brigade commanders was consulted prior to the report that recommended the decision to reduce the number of Army brigades being lodged with them in 2012; and the way in which, in the five years since this decision was made, roster duties to be performed in Dublin requires the daily rotation of military units in Dundalk, Athlone and Donegal. [44024/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Defence Forces organisational structures have now been in place for almost five years. The basis for the current structures was a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces which occurred in 2012 which led to the consolidation of three under-strength Army brigades into two full strength brigades. A major re-organisation was necessary because it was clear that the three brigade structure was no longer viable, particularly when compared to international norms, and to achieve the most effective force in keeping with the stabilised establishment for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. This required that an emphasis be placed on the consolidation of under-strength units into a smaller number of full strength units, a reduction in the number of headquarters and the associated re-deployment of personnel from administrative and support functions to operational units. These benefits will continue to be gained into the future.
The decision to move to a two brigade structure involved full consultation with the Defence Forces, and was taken by the then Minister on foot of a joint recommendation made to him by the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff.
The subsequent White Paper on Defence, which was published in 2015, resulted from a comprehensive examination of Defence requirements over a ten year planning horizon and it specifically provides for the retention of the Army’s two Brigade structure. Accordingly, there are no plans to return to the previous structure.
I am advised by the military authorities that in order for 2 Brigade to execute its full range of operational, training and administrative tasks, Units based outside Dublin perform operational duties in Dublin on certain occasions each month. The execution of such duties enhances situational awareness of the capital for all units. These duties normally require the conduct of a wide range of familiarisation patrols throughout the greater Dublin area to 2 Brigade vital installations, and other Dublin based specific operational taskings.
69. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on reports that proper security clearance has not been given to new recruits in the Defence Forces; his plans to rectify this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44045/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSecurity vetting, which is a matter for the military authorities, has a number of layers and is conducted in conjunction with an Garda Síochána. The process has changed and modernised in recent years and is kept under ongoing review.
The Military Authorities have kept me appraised of any changes in procedure and have confirmed to me that the security vetting procedures in place are both necessary and appropriate. For operational security reasons it would be inappropriate to set out or discuss the detailed processes.
70. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the funding allocated in budget 2018 to current and proposed Defence Forces projects and infrastructure in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44033/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not provide funding for the Defence Forces on a geographical basis. Where there is a requirement for the upgrade and development of a particular military installation, funding is made available from the Defence Vote.
Built infrastructure projects are developed as part of the ongoing building programme, which is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. The capital element of the building programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects comprising the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings and facilities.
The programme is based on operational requirements and is compiled on a priority basis by my Department in conjunction with the Military Authorities. The anticipated spend on built infrastructure capital projects nationally in 2018 is €14.2m. The funding will provide for a number of significant projects at the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare including the replacement of storage facilities at the Ordnance Depot and the refurbishment of accommodation blocks in Pearse Barracks.
Under the capital building programme, there has been considerable capital investment at the Curragh Camp in recent years. Between 2008 and 2017, my Department has invested in excess of €26m on major building projects at the Camp.
The White Paper on Defence identified the need to develop a rolling five-year capital plan for the provision of future Defence Forces built infrastructure requirements, taking account of the priority needs of the Defence Forces. The process of developing the plan is currently underway and is expected to be finalised by the end of 2017.
