Written Answers Nos. 61-81
61. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the number of media advisers employed in his office between part-time and full-time staff; the Civil Service grade of each media adviser; and the cost over a full year of employing all such advisers. [27465/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra62. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Taoiseach the name, responsibilities and salaries of all advisers appointed by him since July 2017, in tabular form. [27197/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together.
Details of the Advisers appointed in my Department since July 2017 are set out in the table below:
|
Special Advisers to the Taoiseach (appointed since July 2017) |
|
|
Name |
Salary Level |
|
John Carroll |
Assistant Secretary |
|
Clare Mungovan |
Principal Officer |
|
Jim D'Arcy |
Assistant Principal Officer (Higher) |
|
Special Advisers to the Government Chief Whip (appointed since July 2017) |
|
|
Ed Carty |
Principal Officer |
The Special Advisers working in my office provide briefings and advice on a wide range of policy matters, as well as performing other functions as I may direct from time to time. They also liaise with other Special Advisers in each Government Department so that I remain informed on developments across Government.
The Government Press Secretary acts as a spokesperson for me, as Taoiseach, and the Government and is supported by the Assistant Government Press Secretary in coordinating the media relations of all Government Departments. The Government Press Secretary is paid at Assistant Secretary level while the Assistant Government Press Secretary is paid at Principal Officer level.
The Deputy Government Press Secretary - who is also based in my Department and is paid at Principal Officer level - coordinates communications for all the Independents in Government.
63. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach the number of positions on the boards of agencies and commercial State companies under his Department's aegis in tabular form; the quorum required for a board meeting; the number of ministerial appointee vacancies on the board to date; and the length of time the ministerial appointee vacancy has been present for each vacancy. [27484/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Economic and Social Council is the only body under the aegis of my Department. There are 28 members of the Council as currently constituted, and there are no vacancies remaining to be filled. No quorum applies to meetings of the Council.
I also appoint members of the National Statistics Board. No vacancies exist on the board and no quorum applies to meetings.
64. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den an Taoisigh an bhfuil oifigeach Gaeilge ceaptha dá Roinn; an post lánaimseartha atá ann nó an bhfuil dualgais bhreise ar an oifigeach Gaeilge; cén grád atá ag an oifigeach Gaeilge; agus an bhfuil sé nó sí ábalta a ghnó nó a gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge. [27814/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCeapadh Oifigeach Gaeilge i mo Roinnse in 2005 chun tacú le tiomantas na Roinne cultúr a spreagann úsáid na Gaeilge laistigh den Roinn agus sa bplé a bhíonn againn lenár gcuid custaiméirí a fhorbairt agus a choinneáil. Tá an duine sin freagrach freisin as a chinntiú go gcloítear le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus go ndéantar Scéimeanna Gaeilge na Roinne a fhorbairt de réir an Achta. Tá an tOifigeach Gaeilge - atá ag leibhéal Oifigeach Cúnta (Ard) - líofa sa Ghaeilge agus ábalta dul i mbun a cuid oibre trí Ghaeilge. Chomh maith le bheith ina Oifigeach Gaeilge, is oifigeach í sa Chomhairle Náisiúnta Eacnamaíochta agus Sóisialta, áit a dhéanann sí anailís ar bheartais fhorbartha inmharthana, lena n-áirítear athrú aeráide.
65. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if personnel in his Department have been removed from their positions, transferred to other roles or had their employments terminated in the past four years due to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence. [27958/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo employee in my Department has been removed from their position, transferred to another role or had their employment terminated in the past four years due to breaches of departmental standards, professional misconduct or incompetence.
However, during the period in question, two employees were not retained following completion of their probationary contracts.
66. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the recent decision of An Bord Pleanála to approve the development of a commercial incinerator at Ringaskiddy, County Cork has implications for the operations at the naval base in Haulbowline in view of the planning objection lodged by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27385/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of consultation with both the Naval Service and Air Corps, my Department made a number of observations to the public hearings regarding the proposed Waste to Energy Facility at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
It is understood that the issues raised and observations made have been taken into account by An Bord Pleanála. My Department will consider in detail the decision, in consultation with the Naval Service and the Air Corps, and its possible impact on Defence Force operations at Haulbowline.
67. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den an Taoiseach agus Aire Cosanta an bhfuil oifigeach Gaeilge ceaptha dá Roinn; an post lánaimseartha atá ann nó an bhfuil dualgais bhreise ar an oifigeach Gaeilge; cén grád atá ag an oifigeach Gaeilge; an bhfuil sé nó sí ábalta a ghnó nó a gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27804/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs beag idirghníomhú a bhíonn ag an Roinn le daoine as an bpobal tríd is tríd agus, dá bharr sin, ní bhíonn éileamh mór ar sheirbhísí trí mheán na Gaeilge. Mar a fhoráiltear ina Scéim Teanga reatha agus roimhe seo, faigheann an Roinn cabhair ó lucht pearsanra atá bunaithe ar bhonn deonach chun cuidiú le Brainsí na Roinne seirbhísí a sholáthar trí mheán na Gaeilge agus chun dul i ngleic le hidirghníomhú le custaiméirí más gá. Sa chomhthéacs sin, ní theastaíonn Oifigeach Gaeilge ar leith ón Roinn seo.
Tá cúigear lucht pearsanra sa ghrúpa faoi láthair atá sásta cuidiú le soláthar seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge agus is leor é sin chun freastal ar na riachtanais atá ag teacht chun cinn. Déantar athbhreithniú leanúnach ar an ngrúpa oibrithe deonacha sin.
68. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if personnel in his Department have been removed from their positions, transferred to others role or had their employments terminated in the past four years due to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27948/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that no civil servants in my Department were removed from their position, transferred to another role or had their employment terminated in the past four years due to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence.
69. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if it is Defence Forces policy to give presentations in secondary schools with a view to recruitment; the length of time this policy has been in place; the way in which the decision is taken as to which schools to present in; if there is a set presentation outline; and if so, if it is publicly available and if parental permission is sought before each presentation takes place. [27961/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Defence Forces regularly receive requests from secondary schools to give information briefs about the variety of careers available in the Defence Forces. It has been a long standing tradition for the Defence Forces to facilitate such requests.
These requests are received and processed by the Community Support Section of the Department of Defence in consultation with the relevant Defence Forces Brigade/Formation. Where the request is appropriate and can be facilitated, members of the Defence Forces prepare and present their own individual presentation based on the request from the school (i.e. duration of the brief, audience etc.).
Parental permission is a matter for the school requesting Defence Forces participation.
70. Deputy John Curran asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the 24-hour duty allowance rate for a soldier; when the allowance rate was set; his plans to review the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSecurity Duty allowance was introduced in May 1974, arising from the significant increase in the incidence of duties being undertaken by members of the Defence Forces, particularly duties in aid to the civil power. This is paid in addition to basic pay and military service allowance.
The rate of Security Duty allowance for 24 hours or more is €47.59. The rates were last revised under the Public Service Stability Agreement, 2013-2016, (the Haddington Road Agreement) in 2013, when it was agreed, with the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, that as part of the cost saving measures to be secured under the Agreement, the Saturday and Sunday duty rates would be flat rated.
PDFORRA have made a claim for the restoration of the Saturday and Sunday rates to pre-2013 levels. This claim is being processed through 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.
71. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces continue to be strengthened in line with established norms and having regard to national and international commitments and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28038/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps and their ability to respond to all emergencies, natural disasters or otherwise that may arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28047/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of each branch of the Defence Forces; the extent to which this is in line with normal expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28048/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women in each branch of the Defence Forces continues to reflect policy in respect of gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28049/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 79 to 81, inclusive, together.
As of 30 May 2018, the strength (whole time equivalent) of the Permanent Defence Force was 9,010 personnel (95% of establishment), broken down as follows:
- 7,248 Army Personnel (491 Female);
- 715 Air Corps Personnel (30 Female); and
- 1,047 Naval Service Personnel (68 Female).
The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. This is underlined by a commitment in the Programme for Government to increase the level of female participation in the Defence Forces. In each of the two general service recruitment campaigns conducted in 2017, approximately 13% of the Applicants were female. The figure for cadet Applicants was approximately 15%.
To date in 2018, female applicants accounted for 14.5% of general service recruitment campaign applicants and 15.9% of cadet applications.
In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to emergencies caused by severe weather events, such as storms and flooding, rests with the three designated principal response agencies, namely, the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Service Executive. The Defence Forces provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority role. These arrangements have proved effective in all emergencies encountered to date.
There is significant on-going targeted recruitment to ensure that the Permanent Defence Force can continue to deliver all operational outputs required by government both at home and overseas. The recruitment plan proposed by the Defence Forces envisages some 800 new entrants being inducted across all services and competition streams in 2018.
Three competitions recently closed, namely
- A General Service Recruitment campaign
- 2018 Officer Cadetships competition
- Air Corps Apprentice Aircraft Technician Competition
The applications from these competitions are being progressed. A range of other competitions are ongoing.
I remain committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all roles required of them by Government at home and overseas.
72. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continue to benefit from training and technology available to other forces in the EU, having particular regard to the need to ensure common security norms throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28039/18]
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 in the White Paper on Defence.
Enhancing the capability and capacity of the Defence Forces to successfully undertake modern complex UN mandated missions, including Common Security & Defence Policy (CSDP) operations, and on supporting interoperability in this regard is a priority for Ireland. As you are aware, the primary function of training and education in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.
The Defence Forces implement a policy of standardisation that is line with EU training and engage with EU educational institutions in order to keep up to date with best international practice and employ all relevant modern training methods. Training in this environment has been very beneficial in equipping our Defence Forces personnel with the skills to operate alongside our European partners.
Continuing to gain excess to the latest and best training and equipment, will further enhance Defence Forces capabilities for operations and above all to ensure the security and safety of Defence Forces' when deployed on some of the most challenging UN mandated peace-keeping, peace enforcement and EU Training missions abroad.
I am committed to ensuring that the personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be trained to appropriate standards.
73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which Irish troops continue to serve overseas on EU or UN-related missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28041/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 30 May 2018, Ireland is contributing 643 personnel to 9 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 376 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 137 personnel.
Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Common Security and Defence Policy mission, Operation Sophia with 60 personnel; the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with 20 personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with five (5) personnel and the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 12 personnel. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.
Ireland has a long and continuous record of contributing to peacekeeping missions. Participation in these missions demonstrates Ireland's strong support for the role of the United Nations in international peacekeeping.
74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which pay and conditions throughout the Defence Forces continue to be monitored and improved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28042/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRates of pay and conditions of employment in the Irish public service have traditionally been set by, amongst other things, reference to levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public service. Defence Forces pay is increasing in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.
Members of the Permanent Defence Force have received the pay increases due under the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, which was considered and accepted by the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, provides for further increases in pay, ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement, with the focus of the agreement once again being on the lower paid.
The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, will also restore payscales to all public servants (including members of the Permanent Defence Force) earning up to €70,000. The restoration of cuts to allowances will also be considered in the context of the Agreement. The first instalment of an increase of 1% on annualised salaries due from 1 January 2018, has been paid to members of the Permanent Defence Force.
While general pay is a matter for central determination pay processes, the Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force provides a mechanism for the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations to resolve matters relating to remuneration and conditions for their members, on Defence sectoral specific issues. All parties have accrued significant benefits from the C&A scheme since its introduction both in terms of reform of the Defence Forces and in terms of allowances and conditions of employment.
The C&A Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force operates under terms which were agreed by all parties in 1998. Given the changes that have occurred since then in the industrial relations area, I initiated a review of the scheme and appointed an independent chairperson to conduct the review. The chair is due to submit his report to me by the end of August. The findings and recommendations arising will be considered at that stage.
75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which an audit has been carried out of training and equipment in the Air Corps, having particular regard to the need to ensure the availability of the most up-to-date standards at all levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28043/18]
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 assigned by Government as set out on the White Paper on Defence. The Defence Forces keep their operational capability under on-going review.
The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence. In relation to the Air Corps, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper will be to upgrade the Air Corps fleet of aircraft with the replacement of the existing
five Cessna aircraft with larger and more capable fixed wing utility aircraft suitably equipped for ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance). Following an open tender competition, a contract was placed with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in December 2017 at a cost of some €32m for the provision of three PC-12 fixed wing utility aircraft suitably equipped for ISTAR tasks which will replace the Cessna fleet.
Planning is also in progress to replace the CASA Maritime Patrol aircraft with larger more suitable aircraft, which will enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. The planning process for the replacement of the CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft has commenced and a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the procurement of the aircraft was published in May 2018.
The primary function of training and education in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the necessary capabilities. The Defence Forces deliver in-house military training programmes and modules meeting national, EU and international standards. They also engage with external educational institutions and international educational institutions, military and civilian. All training, internal and external, is provided to ensure that the Air Corps, and indeed the Defence Forces as a whole, are in line with best international practice and that they avail of all relevant modern training methods.
I am satisfied that the current provisions, together with the courses of action in the White Paper, will continue to ensure that the Defence Forces are suitably equipped and trained, in line with EU and international best practice, to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which he continues to improve and update equipment and training throughout the Naval Service; the extent to which the Naval Service can now compare on an equal basis in terms of equipment, training and capability in line with the best throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28044/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister with Special Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas. The White Paper on Defence underpins the ongoing replacement of the Naval Service fleet.
The most significant investment of recent years by the Defence Organisation has been on the procurement of the new Off-Shore Patrol Vessels for the Naval Service. This programme has seen the delivery of three new Naval Service vessels in recent years. The LÉ Samuel Beckett was commissioned in May 2014, LÉ James Joyce was commissioned in September 2015 and LÉ William Butler Yeats was commissioned into service in October 2016.
In June 2016, a contract for an additional sister ship was placed with Babcock International, a British company, bringing investment in the new ships programme to some €250 million since 2010. The fourth ship, to be named LÉ George Bernard Shaw is scheduled for delivery in mid-2018.
The White Paper also provides for the replacement of the current Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) which will be enabled for helicopter operations and will also have a freight carrying capacity. Planning has commenced on this project and it is intended to hold a public tender competition in due course to cover the supply of the MRV. This, of course, is subject to the availability of funding within the overall Defence capital funding envelope. The cost of the MRV will only be known once the tender competition is concluded.
The acquisition of these modern new vessels, combined with a continuous delivery of training of Naval Service personnel, which is line with national and international best practice, will ensure that the operational capabilities of the Naval Service, as the State’s principal seagoing agency, are maintained to the greatest extent possible.
77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which he remains satisfied regarding the ability of the Naval Service to deal with an emergency that may arise in the context of security or rescue missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28045/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the State’s principal sea-going agency, and in accordance with international and domestic law, the Naval Service, through its patrols, undertakes a variety of functions in the maritime domain in accordance with its role in contributing to maritime security. This encompasses the provision of support to other Government Departments and Agencies such the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. The Defence Forces will continue to provide a range of supports to these Bodies in accordance with its roles in aid to the civil power and to the civil authority and as set out in the applicable Memoranda of Understanding and Service Level Agreements.
All Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that, in addition to their fishery protection role, they also undertake general surveillance, security, pollution monitoring, and search and rescue in support to the Irish Coast Guard, amongst other duties while on patrol. These activities assist in detecting and preventing emergency situations throughout Ireland's maritime jurisdiction.
The White Paper on Defence underpins the ongoing replacement of the Naval Service fleet. The most significant investment of recent years by the Defence Organisation has been on the procurement of the new Off-Shore Patrol Vessels for the Naval Service. The Naval Service Vessel Replacement Programme has seen the delivery of three new Naval Service vessels. The LÉ Samuel Beckett was commissioned in May 2014, LÉ James Joyce was commissioned in September 2015 and LÉ William Butler Yeats was commissioned into service in October 2016. A fourth ship, to be named LÉ George Bernard Shaw is scheduled for delivery later this year.
I am satisfied that the Naval Service are equipped and resourced to deal with an emergency that may arise in the context of security or rescue missions, were they to occur.
78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which summer training courses continue to be available to members of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28046/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary function of training and education in the Permanent Defence Force, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve is to develop and maintain capabilities necessary to enable personnel to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve, is underpinned by an analysis of training needed to meet operational output requirements and capability development needs.
For the current year, Subhead A.5 provides for a budget of €2.15 million of which €2.068 million is allocated for a total of 26,000 Paid Training Mandays for members of the Reserve. Of this figure, 25,300 Mandays will provide a minimum of seven (7) days annual paid training for all effective members of the Reserve. This provision also allows for fourteen (14) days paid training for all personnel newly recruited to the Reserve Defence Force (in their first year of induction), and also provides for career and specialist courses for selected members of the Reserve in line with Reserve priorities. This provision is sufficient having regard to the existing strength of the Reserve and the voluntary nature of Reserve training. The remaining 700 Mandays are allocated to provide for Reserve Defence Force Representative Association (RDFRA) business.
While the minimum provision of paid training days is 7, members of the Reserve may avail of additional paid training days, up to a total of 28 days, in the context of career courses, specialist and other additional training.
In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve Service, training continues to be 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.
