Written Answers Nos. 97-115
97. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach if the proposal to reappoint the director general of the Central Statistics Office, CSO, for a second term is in line with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies. [17205/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies provides a framework for the application of best practice in corporate governance by both commercial and non-commercial State bodies. It does not apply to the CSO as the CSO is an independent statutory body which does not meet the criteria as a state agency as set out in page 9 of the Code of Practice. However, the CSO and the Government of Ireland (Commitment on Confidence in Statistics 2017) has made an undertaking to ensure compliance with the European Statistical System Code of Practice, (ESSCOP). The ESS COP is the backbone of a robust, world-class and self-regulatory quality framework which underpins the core values of Official Statistics. It sets out key principles for the production and dissemination of European official statistics and the institutional environment under which national and Community statistical authorities operate.
The Director General of the Central Statistics Office is appointed in accordance with the Statistics Act and the EU Regulation on European Statistics. The Government agreed to extend the Director General’s term of appointment on 26 February 2019 in accordance with section 12 (4) of the Statistics Act 1993, which provides that the Director General shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Taoiseach after consultation with the Minister for Finance.
98. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to a survey of CSO staff (details supplied) that raised concerns with the director general in regard to the technical statistical skills and qualifications of certain CSO staff. [17206/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTwo staff surveys were conducted in the CSO in 2017.
The General Management Forum’ self-assessment survey from 2017 demonstrated that 83% of Statisticians/AP grade staff were confident that they had the skills to deliver on the core statistical requirements of the Office.
In the Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey, a score of 79% was achieved for "competence" a measure of Civil Servants belief in their ability and skills to carry out the work required in their role.
The Central Statistics Office places minimum academic requirements commensurate with the demands of the job on new entrants to the Statistician grade, specifically asking for a minimum 2.1 grade in a statistical or numerate subject. All new staff are subject to a one-year probationary period, in the course of which their technical aptitude for the role as well as their more general suitability for permanent appointment are assessed.
Corresponding essential academic requirements feature in all competitions for promotion to Senior Statistician. In addition, candidates for positions as Senior Statistician, a Divisional Manager role, are required to demonstrate the requisite level of skill across the broader range of senior management competencies associated with the Principal Officer grade, including leadership, relationship building, management and delivery of results, communication, judgement and decision making.
Empirically, the following documents the academic qualifications of current Statisticians and Senior Statisticians serving in the CSO:
|
Grade |
Primary Degree |
Master or Equivalent |
Doctorate |
|
Senior Statistician |
100% |
89% |
19% |
|
Statistician |
100% |
85% |
16% |
All CSO Statisticians and Senior Statisticians have passed through a rigorous recruitment process, which may include short-listing, preliminary and final interview stages and every competition at this level involves the use of external Interview Board members sitting alongside CSO interviewers of relevant grade. All CSO recruitment processes are formally documented and operate in line with CPSA Codes of Practice.
As part of delivering on its strategic plan CSO 2020, published in 2013, the CSO has invested in building dedicated statistical quality (new division) and methodology teams, leading on promotion and support of quality standards and advanced methodological methods throughout the statistical business areas.
Assurance on statistical outputs is provided by line managers, as well as the Quality Management Support and Assurance (QMSA) and Methodology teams. All statistics submitted to Eurostat are subject to validation and scrutiny with additional checks arising from the Excessive Deficit Procedure and Gross National Income Audits.
The CSO invests continually in learning and development, committing to a substantial annual Learning & Development budget including a refund of fees scheme accessible to all permanent staff, and there is an open dialogue with staff members on learning needs as part of the annual business planning, objective setting and performance management processes.
The CSO maintains a staff skills register, to continuously profile the skills available within the Office, identifying gaps and supporting learning opportunities.
The CSO has developed a Statistical Training Framework which will provide training interventions to meet the 13 statistical skills headings based on the internationally recognised Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) across the Irish Statistical System. This innovative training model is being adopted by other countries within Europe and it is also intended to make it available to other public bodies in Ireland with data analysis staff.
In early 2019, University College Dublin became the first Irish third level institution certified by the European Masters of Official Statistics(EMOS) Board of Eurostat to offer courses attracting the EMOS certification, following a lengthy period of engagement with the Central Statistics Office around the composition and delivery of such programmes. This programme will offer a further suite of skills development opportunities for statisticians and data analysts working both in the CSO and in other agencies, departments or offices working with Official Statistics.
99. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the action taken by CSO management on foot of an external report (details supplied) which referred to bullying of CSO staff working at Dublin Airport. [17207/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Public Expenditure & Reform launched a new Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy on 20th February, 2015. CSO Office Notice 05/2015 gives effect to that policy and sets out in detail the process to be followed where allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace are made.
The CSO and the wider Civil Service are committed to providing staff with a workplace environment where dignity and respect are to the forefront of our values and bullying, harassment and sexual harassment are not tolerated in any form. The Dignity at Work Policy places an important emphasis on the role of Managers in supporting early and informal resolution both to Dignity at Work and Grievance related matters and HR involvement is available to support such processes. The Office places great emphasis on coaching and mentoring to assist staff at all levels in meeting workplace challenges, and the civil service mediation service is also relied upon as an outside support.
In line with the confidentiality provisions applicable to Dignity at Work related complaints, the Central Statistics Office is not in a position to disclose any details pertaining to individual matters. Accordingly, the Office cannot comment in respect of the specific matters referenced in this PQ. However, without risk to the confidentiality of any process, the Office can confirm that between 2017 (full year) and 2018 (full year), just one formal Dignity at Work procedure was processed in the Central Statistics Office. The Office can further confirm that that procedure has now been formally concluded and the findings reported to all parties, in line with the provisions of the policy.
100. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach if the competition for a high-level head of international relations at the CSO is restricted to internal candidates only; and if so, the reason therefor. [17208/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2015, Government departments have worked under delegated sanction arrangements in managing their recruitment and staffing. Under these arrangements, multi-annual pay ceilings are set and agreed with Departments and Offices. Decisions regarding recruitment, promotion and overall grade composition up to and including Principal Officer level are then devolved to each Department/Office.
The filling of general service posts in the civil service is subject to the application of recruitment sequences, which are centrally agreed under the Civil Service Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme.
The role referenced in the Deputy’s query is a Principal Officer post. The agreed sequence for the filling of posts at this grade is 66.6% open and 33.3% internal, or 2 posts to be filled via Open recruitment for every 1 post filled via Internal competition.
The two Principal Officer appointments made in the CSO prior to the competition referenced in the PQ were made from an Open recruitment process. Accordingly, the referenced position was filled in line with centrally agreed sequencing arrangements, through an internal recruitment process.
Applications were sought from all qualified serving Central Statistics Office (CSO) staff, including those on secondment to outside organisations to an internal panel for the position of Head of International Relations, Planning and Policy.
101. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he spoke to or met Prime Minister May before the EU Council meeting on 10 April 2019; if so, the issues regarding Brexit that were discussed; if protection of the Single Market was discussed; and if citizens’ rights and direct rule were also mentioned. [17619/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to Prime Minister May since she made her public announcement on reaching out to the Labour Party on 2 April 2019. [16362/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 108 together.
I last saw Prime Minister May on the margins of the Special European Council meeting on 10 April. At that meeting, PM May presented her case for a further extension of the Article 50 deadline.
The House will be aware that the European Council agreed to an extension of the deadline to 31 October 2019, provided that the UK participates in the European Parliament elections next month.
Prior to that meeting, I spoke to Prime Minister May by phone on the evening of 8 April 2019 when we discussed her letter to Donald Tusk seeking an extension of the Article 50 deadline, and preparations for the Summit. During our discussion I repeated to Prime Minister May my openness to an extension of the Article 50 deadline.
While we did not go into detail on issues such as the single market or citizens rights, I repeated the firm EU position that the Withdrawal Agreement could not be renegotiated and Prime Minister May indicated that this was understood.
She did not raise the possibility of direct rule during our conversation. However, UK Ministers and officials have indicated on a number of occasions that the introduction of direct rule is a possibility in current circumstances. The position of the Irish Government remains that it is opposed to the re-introduction of direct rule for Northern Ireland.
I welcome the agreement reached last week between the EU 27 and UK on the Brexit extension. I firmly believe that the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons is in all our interests and I hope the time extension will enable the deal to be agreed.
Irish and British officials are in close ongoing contact on all relevant issues.
102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the State contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) over the past seven years; and the contracts delivered according to the original contract. [17259/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not awarded any contracts to the company in question over the past seven years.
103. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach the number or percentage of employees in his Department and in the agencies under his aegis with intellectual disabilities; and his plans to increase this number to promote and support the employment of persons with intellectual disabilities as outlined in the Disability Act 2005. [17494/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach if his Department and the agencies under his aegis track the numbers of employees they have with an intellectual disability; and his plans to do so in order to help set targets and increase workplace opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities such as those outlined in the national disability inclusion strategy. [17511/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
As at 31 December 2017, 4.6% of the staff of my Department and 5.9% of the staff of the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) voluntarily and confidentially disclosed a disability. This exceeds the current minimum requirement of 3% for public sector organisations set down in the Disability Act, 2005. Under the Act disability is defined as a substantial restriction in the capacity of the person to carry on a profession, business or occupation in the State or to participate in social or cultural life in the State by reason of an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment;
Recruitment to my Department is, in the main, undertaken through the Public Appointments Service. My Department is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. Staff are recruited on the basis that they meet the requirements of the positions they are to fill. My Department also participates in positive action programmes such as the Willing, Able and Mentoring Programme under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy provides for an increase in the Public Sector employment targets of persons with disabilities from 3% to 6% by 2024.
In order to achieve this target, my Department will co-operate fully with any initiatives implemented by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Appointments Service who have responsibility for implementing a pro-active approach to employing people with disabilities across the Public Service in line with the Disability Act 2005.
105. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the United States of America for St. Patrick's Day; and the meetings he attended and the issues that were discussed. [13886/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI travelled to the United States last month for the annual St. Patrick's Day visit to Washington D.C., following which I also visited Chicago.
In Washington D.C. I had a series of political discussions and meetings, including with President Trump, Vice President Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressmen Richie Neal and Peter King.
In each meeting, we discussed the Ireland - US bilateral relationship, including the importance of the two-way economic relationship between us, as well as between the US and EU.
I outlined the Government's position on the Brexit negotiations, and the importance of ensuring that there is no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland. As ever, there was clear and unambiguous backing, both within the Administration and across Congress, for the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.
I highlighted the continuing problems facing the undocumented Irish in the US, and called for a speedy resolution of this issue.
I also expressed the Government's appreciation for the strong backing both from the Administration and across the aisles in Congress for the E3 Bill last year, which we hope will be reintroduced shortly. I did not have an opportunity for detailed discussion of Climate Change issues during this visit.
My programme in Washington D.C. also included a number of engagements with an economic focus, including events hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland. At these events I met some of the Irish-owned companies which, in total, employ more than 100,000 workers in the US. I also met a number of US companies with significant investments in Ireland.
I also attended a number of other St. Patrick's Day events including the White House reception; a breakfast hosted by Vice President Pence, and receptions hosted by the Irish Ambassador and by the Ireland Funds.
In Chicago, I had a meeting with a number of emigrant support groups that receive Irish Government funding, and had the opportunity to reaffirm the Government's commitment to finding a resolution to the status of the undocumented.
I also met with political leaders including the Governor of Illinois, Jay Pritzker and Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, where we discussed bilateral relations and topical issues including Brexit.
I attended Chicago's annual St. Patrick’s Day events, including a dinner hosted by the Irish Fellowship Club, mass in Old St. Patrick's church, and the Chicago Parade. Finally, I launched Tourism Ireland's new publication marking the 10th anniversary of the Global Greening Initiative.
This visit was an invaluable opportunity to promote Ireland’s interests with the US Administration, and with political, business and community leaders, as well as to deepen the political, economic and cultural links between Ireland and the United States.
106. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the role his Department is playing in preparing for a hard Brexit. [14282/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department works closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which has overall responsibility for Brexit.
A comprehensive set of Government structures has been put in place to ensure that all Departments and their agencies are engaged in detailed preparedness and contingency activities.
Within my Department, staff across several divisions contribute to the work on Brexit.
Brexit is a core part of the work of the International, EU and Northern Ireland Division, which is headed by a Second Secretary General who also acts as Irish Sherpa for EU business, including Brexit issues. The Division advises me in my role as member of European Council, and in respect of Government consideration of Brexit issues, including negotiations, as well as Northern Ireland affairs and British-Irish relations.
The Economic Division of my Department advises me in the development and implementation of national and sectoral economic policies to ensure economy is well placed to respond to opportunities and threats, including Brexit.
To augment this ongoing work, my Department also has a dedicated unit on Brexit preparedness and contingency planning. This unit, working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, assists several groups that oversee Brexit preparations and contingency planning, and focuses on cross-Government co-ordination, planning and programme management.
The unit provides assistance to a Secretaries General group, chaired by the Secretary General to the Government, which has been meeting weekly to oversee ongoing work on national Brexit preparedness and contingency planning.
The unit also assists a Senior Officials Group of Assistant Secretaries on no-deal Brexit planning, which has been meeting on a regular basis and focussing on planning for a no-deal scenario based on the Government’s Contingency Action Plan.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, also jointly chairs a Senior Officials Group on Brexit-related legislation, which oversaw development of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2019, signed into law by the President on 17 March. Work is continuing in parallel on complementary secondary legislation.
The decision of the European Council to extend Article 50 prevented a no-deal Brexit on 12 April and has significantly reduced the overall risk of no deal. However, given the ongoing political uncertainty in London, that risk has not been fully averted, and prudent preparations by Government for all possible scenarios will continue.
107. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the details of the way in which Northern Ireland will be treated differently post Brexit in view of his comments in Dáil Éireann on 27 March 2019 on same; if he has spoken with Prime Minister May since then; and if his or other officials have been in further discussions on contingency plans. [15378/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI last saw Prime Minister May on the margins of the Special European Council meeting on 10 April. I had spoken to Prime Minister May by phone on the evening of 8 April, when we discussed her letter to Donald Tusk seeking an extension of the Article 50 deadline, and preparations for the European Council Summit on Wednesday 10 April. I repeated to PM May my openness to an extension of the Article 50 deadline.
I welcome the agreement reached between the EU 27 and UK on the Brexit extension. I firmly believe that the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons is in all our interests, and I hope the time extension will enable the deal to be agreed.
I continue to believe that approval of the Withdrawal Agreement is the best way to protect the Good Friday Agreement and to avoid a hard border. I was pleased to have the continued backing of my fellow European Council members on this objective.
We have been working closely with the European Commission and our EU partners to mitigate against the negative impact on our trade and economy, including through the development of contingency arrangements for the management of trade flows on the island of Ireland.
As the Government has repeatedly stated, this is based on the twin shared objectives of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and ensuring the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place within it. As co-guarantors, the British and Irish Governments will continue to have obligations to ensure peace and stability in Northern Ireland.
The decision of the European Council to extend Article 50 prevented a no-deal Brexit on 12 April. However, while the risk of a no-deal Brexit has significantly reduced, it unfortunately has not been fully averted and preparations by Government for all possible scenarios are therefore continuing.
The Government’s Contingency Action Plan, published on 19 December 2018 and updated on 30 January 2019, sets out cross-Government preparations in train since even before the UK vote.
A comprehensive set of Government structures is in place to ensure that all Departments and their agencies are engaged in detailed preparedness and contingency activities. Sector-specific plans are in place identifying important challenges associated with a no-deal Brexit and accompanying mitigation approaches.
Our preparedness and contingency planning takes full account of, and complements preparation at EU level for a no-deal Brexit, which have been ongoing since December 2017. Irish and British officials are in close ongoing contact on all relevant issues
109. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the status of the national digital strategy being led by his departmental officials. [15376/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is currently at an advanced stage in the development of a new National Digital Strategy, to help Ireland maximise the economic and societal benefits from digitalisation and its transformative effects.
The Strategy is being led as a shared effort by the Department of the Taoiseach; the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation; and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
An Interdepartmental Group, which includes representatives from all Departments, is guiding the formation of the Strategy.
This approach reflects the broad spread of policy areas impacted by digitalisation.
A public consultation, to allow citizens and stakeholders to feed in and influence the development of the Strategy, took place at the end of 2018. Over 300 responses were received. In parallel, extensive consultations with stakeholders and experts to inform development of the Strategy took place.
As committed to in the recently launched Future Jobs Ireland 2019, the new National Digital Strategy is due to be delivered in Quarter 2 2019.
110. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee F on national security last met. [16364/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Committee last met on 1st April 2019 and was attended by Ministers and Senior Officials from the Departments of Finance; Public Expenditure and Reform; Foreign Affairs and Trade; Justice and Equality; Health; Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Transport, Tourism and Sport; Housing, Planning and Local Government; Defence; An Garda Siochána and Defence Forces.
The role of Cabinet Committee F is "to keep the State's systems for the analysis of, preparation for, and response to, threats to national security under review and to provide high-level coordination between relevant Departments and agencies on related matters".
111. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number or percentage of employees in his Department and in the agencies under his aegis with intellectual disabilities; his plans to increase this number to promote and support the employment of persons with intellectual disabilities as outlined in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17484/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department and the agencies under his aegis track the numbers of employees they have with an intellectual disability; his plans to do so in order to help set targets and increase workplace opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities such as those outlined in the national disability inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17501/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.
In compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, the Department of Defence has undertaken, where practicable, to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities. The Department continues to operate in a non-discriminatory environment in accordance with the Equality Acts and aims to ensure that the principles of employment equality are implemented in recruitment, promotion, training and work experience.
In compliance with the 2005 Act my Department prepares an annual return detailing the number and percentage of staff that self declared in the previous year the fact they have a disability. The Department of Defence's return for 2018 confirmed that the number of civil service staff employed by the Department of Defence at 31st December 2018 was 355, of which 15, or 4.2%, self-declared a disability.
In addition to civil servants my Department employees civilian employees who work in various military facilities across the country. At 31 December 2018 the number of civil employees employed by my Department was 431 employees. Of these 431 employees, 29, or 6.7%, self declared a disability.
As staff, whether they be civil servants or civilian employees, are not required to provide details of the disability they declare, the Department is not in a position to say how many of those that have self declared a disability have an intellectual disability.
The only State body under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The only staff post is the secretary to the Board, which is provided from the staff of the Department.
113. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the nature of the contract entered into to transport Defence Forces personnel to and from the Golan Heights; if the contract was negotiated by his Department or the UN; and the discussions he plans to have in this regard for the future. [17550/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rotation of Defence Force personnel serving in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) missions happens twice yearly, in April/May and October/November. In accordance with agreed arrangements, the United Nations is responsible for making transport arrangements for the rotation of troops in April/May, while the Department is responsible for the October/November rotations. This involves the dedicated charter of a civilian aircraft for each movement of troops, which is arranged by the Department by way of a tender competition in line with public procurement regulations. When smaller numbers of personnel are travelling to and from missions, transport is generally by way of scheduled commercial flights.
The UNDOF contingent is operating in a very challenging region where there can never be complete certainty on transit routes and where the administrative procedures relating to the transit of military personnel are complex and cut across a number of jurisdictions. Approvals for the transit of foreign military forces, in a congested conflict zone, involve many governmental layers, and are, therefore, not without hazard. While every effort is made to secure the necessary clearances on time, we do not have control over these and rely on the good offices of the States through which we are transiting. We will continue to engage with these States. However, given all the variables, it is not possible to guarantee rotation dates at this time with the requisite certainty, and personnel will be advised of this uncertainty when deploying in future.
114. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding privates and corporals in the Defence Forces who are reaching 25 years of service in 2019; the arrangements in place to allow them continue to serve providing they pass fitness requirements; if the process is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17579/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising from an adjudication in 2015, the adjudicator recommended that a review be conducted on the service limits for Privates and Corporals recruited to the Defence Forces post 1 January 1994. This adjudication resulted from a claim from PDFORRA seeking extensions in the service of these personnel to age 50. While the adjudicator did not rule in favour of PDFORRA, he did recommend an extension of service limits for certain Privates and Corporals pending completion of the review.
This recommended review is now being subsumed into a broader review of service limits for enlisted personnel, as provided for in the White Paper on Defence. The service extension for Privates and Corporals, enlisted post 1 January 1994, has been revised accordingly, to the end of December 2022, provided the individual meets certain criteria, including medical grades and fitness tests and does not exceed 50 years of age in that time frame. This measure has been agreed with PDFORRA.
115. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if funding will be available in 2019 to purchase additional 4 x 4 armoured utility vehicles and additional armoured logistical vehicles for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17706/19]
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 both at home and overseas.
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 as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process. 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, including response to security risks and other emergencies, both at home and overseas.
In accordance with the National Development Plan, the capital allocation for Defence has been increased to €106 million for 2019, an increase of €29 million. The National Development Plan provides for a total of €541 million for Defence over the period 2018-2022. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and builds on the significant investment programme over recent years.
The White Paper on Defence provides that Ireland's ongoing active participation in a range of peacekeeping and crisis management missions is a key policy requirement. While each mission has elements of danger, it is the Government's position that all actions should be taken to minimise threats to the safety of personnel. Armoured vehicles provide essential force protection and, in this context in accordance with the equipment planning process, the fleet of armoured vehicles is subject to regular review to ensure that it meets operational requirements both at home and overseas.
Twenty four (24) 4 x 4 Armoured Utility Vehicles were acquired in late 2017 and in 2018 the Defence Forces took delivery of ten (10) new armoured logistic vehicles. A multi-year mid-life upgrade of the Army's fleet of MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carriers is underway which will extend the utility of the fleet and provide greater levels of protection, mobility and firepower. The first twenty (20) upgraded vehicles were recently delivered. Eight (8) more upgraded vehicles are due for delivery in the coming months.
There is focus on the essential force protection provided by armoured vehicles, and in this regard a requirement for additional 4x4 armoured utility vehicles has been identified and subject to consideration of a business case and assessment of associated cost, funding will be made available. At this time there are no plans for the purchase of additional armoured logistic vehicles for the Defence Forces.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources available to them, including a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
