Written Answers Nos. 434-439
434. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps his Department is taking to address significant pay issues arising in respect of Defence Forces personnel (details supplied); his views on the fact that many defence personnel have to rely upon family income supplement payments to make ends meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe circumstances surrounding an application for Family Income Supplement, or indeed any other scheme operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, is a private matter between the applicant and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Various factors can give rise to such claims. 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.
PDFORRA signed up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) 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 have now been applied to the Permanent Defence Forces. An increase of 2.5% from 1 January 2016, for annualised salaries up to €24,000 and 1% for annualised salaries between €24,001 and €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, has been increased further following an agreement facilitated by the WRC between the Department of Defence, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and PDFORRA. These improved payscales, have been backdated to 1 July 2016. The payments were made to relevant personnel on 30 August 2017.
On completion of recruit and three star training newly qualified 3 star Privates and their Naval Service equivalent can expect minimum gross annual earnings of €27,000 (inclusive of military service allowance).
Going forward, there is the 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 Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations who participated in the negotiation process. They are subject to ballot by members of the Associations.
Future remuneration of Defence Forces personnel will continue to be dealt with within this process.
435. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 700 of 23 May 2017, the progress that has been made on the holding of a competition for promotion from captain to commandant within the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44935/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper on Defence confirms that the primary role of the Army and Naval Service Reserve is to augment the Permanent Defence Force in times of crisis. In non-crisis situations, the main focus will be on training to prepare for this role. The Government appreciates the service of the members of the Army and Naval Service Reserve and the White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserves . With regard to promotions from Captain to Commandant within the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve, I am informed by the military authorities that they have finalised the relevant administrative matters in preparation for these competitions. Some additional issues remain to be completed. The military authorities expect these to be concluded shortly and the competitions will then be formally launched.
436. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the circumstances and the criteria of the persons issued with a 1916 centenary commemorative medal during the centenary commemorations; if medals were issued to retired members of the Defence Forces (details supplied); his plans to issue 1916 medals to those persons notwithstanding certificates issued on Veterans Day in the Curragh to the recognised veterans associations. [44972/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government provided for the award of a commemorative medal to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This was a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, both Permanent and Reserve, who served during the centenary year of 2016. The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal was awarded as a commemorative medal, personal to an individual’s service in the Defence Forces in the course of 2016.
There are no plans to award the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal to former members of the Defence Forces who were not in service in 2016. Since the foundation of the State many thousands of personnel have served in the Defence Forces. It would not be administratively possible within the resources of the Department to identify and contact all of these persons, decide on eligibility and, in the case of infirm or deceased former members resolve who should get the medal on their behalf.
At my request, however, discussions took place between the Department and the Veterans’ Organisations, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), the Organisation of National Ex-service personnel (ONE), and the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO), to explore alternative means of recognition of the contribution of veterans to the centenary commemorative events in 2016. Following these discussions it was agreed that a single presentation would be made to each of the Veterans Organisations of a framed medal with an accompanying citation in recognition of the significant contribution of members of the three organisations to the 1916 centenary commemorative events and their service to the State. The medal would have a bar with the term Veteran inscribed on it.
I agreed that a plaque would be given to each of IUNVA’s 21 Posts and to each of O.N.E.’s 41 Branches. As you know, I presented one plaque to each of the three Veterans’ Organisations at the Defence Forces’ Veterans’ Day which took place in the Defence Forces Training Centre, The Curragh, on Sunday 8th October 2017. The other plaques will be presented separately.
437. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of years the State Claims Agency has been auditing the Defence Forces. [44987/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency have conducted Health & Safety Management System audits of the Defence Forces since 2006. These type of audits were completed in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
438. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces have been deployed to the Baltic states in the past year; and his plans to dispatch military personnel to the Baltic region. [44991/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has not deployed any members of the Permanent Defence Forces to the Baltic States in the past year. Ireland currently has no plans to dispatch military personnel to the Baltic region.
439. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount of funding necessary to replace or upgrade aircraft within the Air Corps; if new aircraft will be purchased in 2018; the number of aircraft deployed with the Air Corps; the age of each aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44993/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government as set out on the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment planning process. In this context the principal aim over the period of the White Paper will be to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements both at home and overseas. The White Paper on Defence provides that the Air Corps will see the Cessna fleet replaced with three larger aircraft suitably equipped for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance tasks. The tender competition for the procurement of the three new aircraft is underway and the cost will be determined by the outcome of the tender competition.
The two Air Corps CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft are due for replacement in 2019. The White Paper also provides for the replacement of the CASA 235 s with consideration to be given to their replacement with larger more capable aircraft which would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks.
Also, a decision was made in 2016 to replace a PC-9M aircraft and this aircraft was delivered from Pilatus Aircraft in Switzerland this July at a cost of €5m exclusive of VAT. The new aircraft brings the fleet up to 8 and will assist in a required increase in pilot training in the Air Corps.
The Defence Capital envelope of €416m for the period 2018 – 2021 will enable further investment in major equipment platforms, including the replacement of the Cessna aircraft.
There are 27 aircraft in the Air Corps fleet, 1 7 of which are fixed wing and 10 of which are helicopters. The age of each aircraft in the fleet is as follows:
|
Aircraft Type – Fixed Wing |
Number in Service |
Age |
Year Delivered |
|
Cessna |
5 |
45 years |
1972 |
|
Casa |
2 |
23 years |
1994 |
|
Defender ** |
1 |
20 years |
1997 |
|
Learjet |
1 |
14 years |
2003 |
|
Pilatus PC-9M |
7 |
13 years |
2004 |
|
Pilatus PC-9M # |
1 |
3 months |
July 2017 |
|
Total |
17 |
|
Aircraft Type - Helicopters |
Number in Service |
Age |
Year Delivered |
|
EC 135** |
2 |
15 years & 10 years |
2002 & 2007 |
|
EC 135 |
2 |
12 years |
2005 |
|
AW 139 |
6 |
Between 7 and 11 years |
2 in 2006, 2 in 2007, 2 in 2008 |
|
Total |
10 |
**Aircraft owned by Department of Justice and Equality but operated by the Air Corps.
# Replacement Pilatus PC-9M aircraft delivered in July 2017
