Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The budget allocations from the Department of Defence Vote for Civil Defence for the years 2008 to 2014 are as follows:

I am pleased to say that, in light of the overall economic challenges facing the country, from 2008 to 2010 my Department succeeded in maintaining a reduction in the order of only 3% to the allocation for Civil Defence in that period. In 2011 Civil Defence was managed at national level by the Civil Defence board and the reduction to €5.585 million in that year was brought about by a requirement in the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 for all State agencies to reduce their operating costs by 10% for that year. Since 2011, in spite of the difficult overall budgetary situation, I have been successful in maintaining the allocation available for Civil Defence programmes at more or less the same level. The lower figures for 2013 and 2014 reflect the abolition of the Civil Defence board and the transfer of its responsibilities to my Department with effect from 1 January 2013. The provision for staff salaries and other administrative costs for these years has been absorbed into the general Department of Defence Vote. What appears on the surface to be a reduction is not one because of the manner in which the Vote has been dealt with.

The funding of €4.243 million allocated to Civil Defence in 2013 was expended as follows: 65% on grants to local authorities to support the operational and training costs of local Civil Defence units throughout the country; 21% on the central purchase of items of uniform and personal protective equipment, vehicles and other items of equipment for Civil Defence use; 8% on central training costs; 5% on insurance for volunteers, vehicles and equipment; and 1% on other miscellaneous expenses.

I commend the almost 4,500 active Civil Defence volunteers throughout Ireland for the ongoing support they provide to the front-line emergency services and also their dedicated service to their local communities. Last weekend’s serious flooding in Limerick was just one example of how, right across the country, volunteers have been assisting local authorities in helping communities cope with the effects of severe weather. Volunteers have been evacuating homes, pumping water, distributing sandbags, helping to distribute animal feed and re-directing onlookers away from affected areas. Also in recent weeks, Civil Defence volunteers have spent many hours supporting the Garda in searches for missing persons in several parts of the country. Here in Dublin, Civil Defence provided welfare and logistical backup to the fire service in dealing with a major fire in Ballymount.

I pay particular tribute to the engagement of members of Civil Defence across the country in the context of the floods experienced in recent days. Their dedication, volunteerism and professionalism are superb. We owe them a debt of gratitude across the community for the work they do. They have conducted themselves in an outstanding manner and are a crucial assistance when events such as the dreadful flooding we have seen take place. It is right that we use this opportunity to record our thanks to all members of Civil Defence who have been so engaged. There is a possibility that they may need to be further engaged in the coming days. I thank them for their commitment.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

As I stated when I launched the winter ready campaign in November and again in my opening statement to the Oireachtas Select Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence last week, I am more than aware of the crucial role that Civil Defence plays in supporting all of the front-line services. For that reason I intend to ensure that an adequate level of funding is made available through the Civil Defence branch of my Department to support the efforts of local authorities and volunteers.

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