Results 6,261-6,280 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am advised by the military authorities that all members of the Defence Forces are trained in the fitting of the general service respirator as part of their basic training and that tests of elementary training are conducted annually in a respirator test facility. This training is in keeping with chemical, biological, radioactive and neurological training that all Defence Forces personnel...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: With regard to the Air Corps, I am surprised that people who specifically deal with chemicals are trained in the wearing of respirators only if they are involved in dealing with these types of chemicals. Full training is given to these people and they undergo relevant retraining to ensure they are fully trained.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Equipment (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I do not have a specific date but to my knowledge full training is carried out in line with what is required. I will come back to the Deputy with a specific date.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Reserve Defence Forces, RDF, comprise the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. The Government recognises the important role that the three elements of the RDF play in contributing to Ireland's defence capability. The 2015 White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve Defence Forces and it is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I got correspondence about the issues that were raised at the Oireachtas committee by the Reserve and the Department replied to that in conjunction with the Permanent Defence Forces. They raised a number of issues and those issues were answered and replied to. The effective strength of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve as of 31 December 2018, which is the latest date for which...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Chief of Staff has appointed a director of the Reserve, as I stated in my original reply. That shows the commitment from the Permanent Defence Forces and the value they place on the Reserve but it is up to the units on the ground to encourage members to apply, to join and to become members of the Reserve as well. When I speak to my colleagues across Europe, they all have the very same...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 14 together. As of 31 December 2018, which is the date for which the latest figures are available, the whole time equivalent strength of the PDF stood at just under 9,000 personnel. There are significant career opportunities available at both enlisted and officer level for eligible individuals who wish to have a rewarding and positive career in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Medical Services (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I have approved the proposal that a civilian psychiatrist on contract should be recruited to provide services to members of the Defence Forces. There are several steps under way with a view to commencing the recruitment campaign. I am hopeful the position I have proposed to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will be filled. I am not going to indicate what the proposal is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The total gross provision for the defence sector for 2019 is €1.007 billion, which is an increase of over €60 million or 6.4% on the 2018 provision. This comprises €758 million for Vote 36 - Defence, an increase of over €50 million, and €249 million for Vote 35 - Army Pensions, an increase of €10 million. Overall, approximately 77% of the defence...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Public Service Pay Commission was established to provide objective advice to the Government on public service remuneration policy. In 2017, under my direction, the Department of Defence brought issues of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces to the attention of the Public Service Pay Commission. As a result of that initiative, the commission is now beginning and in-depth and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: There have been salary increases from 1 January 2018 and 1 October 2018. There will be further increases this year under the public service stability agreement. I am not making up the figures I provided. They were the gross average earnings in 2018. I have highlighted the work of the Public Service Pay Commission. I have taken the Deputy’s concerns on board and acknowledge...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Medical Services (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: A direct entry competition for the position of military psychiatrist was launched on 26 July 2018 and closed on 30 December 2018. No applications were received for the competition. Further options have been under consideration as to how to proceed. In this regard, I have recently given approval for my Department to conduct a competition for a contracted civilian psychiatrist. However, it...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Medical Services (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: There is a nationwide shortage of suitable psychiatric personnel across the board in the HSE, not just within the Defence Forces. There are issues with a significant shortage of psychiatrists in the south east and in many other parts of the country. Pay may be one of the reasons for the shortage. It is one of the reasons I approved the proposal to go to the Department of Public Expenditure...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: However, it must be highlighted that successive Governments have made overflight and landing facilities available at Shannon Airport to the United States for more than 50 years. These arrangements do not amount to any form of military alliance with the US and are governed by strict conditions applied to ensure compatibility with our traditional policy of military neutrality. I take the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: It would be the more appropriate Department to ask that question of.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As I previously informed the House, a Government decision dated 18 November 2016 approved the drafting of the heads of Bill to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. This will remove the exclusion contained in section 3 of the Act. As I stated in my reply on Priority Questions earlier, I am not in a position at this stage to indicate a definitive timeline to introduce the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am not sure of the specific number of meetings but the nature and duties of military life in general bring demands that are atypical to other security and emergency services. The directive allows for derogations and compensatory rest. As I indicated, the Defences Forces have undertaken significant work in examining the nature of the duties of the organisation on how the directive can...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I do not accept that we threatened any association.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I ask its representatives to reflect on the language they use when they are chatting to the Deputy but I do not accept that for one minute. The most important aspect is it is necessary to ensure that all work arrangements meet all the provisions of the directive and that there is dialogue with the representative associations. There has been dialogue in the past and that dialogue will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Medical Services (17 Jan 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 15 together. A psychiatrist has not yet been appointed to the Defence Forces. A review of the Defence Forces psychiatric service recommended the employment of a full-time military psychiatrist. The previous incumbent providing these services to the Defence Forces on contract retired in May 2018 while arrangements were being made to implement this...