Results 681-700 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the military authorities that the current number of vacancies for each of the requested positions are as follows: Position Vacancies Establishment Dentist 3 7 Doctor 6 28 Nurse N/A N/A There is 1 member serving in the Army Nursing Service (ANS). However,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 354 together. The revised NDP Capital allocation for the Defence Vote Group for the period 2026-2030 is €1,700 million. This represents an increase of €600 million (55%) on the previous baseline of €1,100 million. Capital Investment in Defence primarily provides for the renewal, retention and acquisition of major defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Development Plan (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Capital Investment in Defence primarily provides for the renewal, retention and acquisition of major defence equipment and infrastructural platforms – expenditure which enhances and supports military capabilities and therefore contributes to a more secure and resilient society. Defence capital Funding is not provided on a geographic basis, with the limited exception of the funding...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Further to the Deputy's recent question on this matter, I can confirm that officials from my Department are continuing discussions with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, the owner of Dún Laoghaire Harbour, regarding the possibility of leasing berthage for exclusive use by the Naval Service. The Naval Service have also been engaged with technical experts from the local...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised that it is normal practice for the Minister of the day to approve the twinning of a Naval Service vessel with a coastal city or town when the vessel is commissioned and has come into service on foot of recommendations from the Naval Service. It is too early to comment on prospective twinning arrangements at this point in time.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 360 together. Since the events of 14th December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed and Private Shane Kearney, Corporal Joshua Phelan and Private Nathan Bryan, from the 121st Battalion were injured, the Government has consistently expressed determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has always been a strong supporter of peacekeeping and contributions to peacekeeping operations and is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN and UN-mandated peacekeeping operations, as well as by Ireland's engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Our peacekeepers are recognised internationally for their expertise and experience....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Pension Provisions (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As indicated in my response when you raised this in Dáil Éireann on 26 June, 2025, this is a hard case and I have been informed that resolution of this matter will require legislative change. My officials are actively pursuing measures to enable this matter to be progressed as expeditiously as possible. I will provide an update to you, and directly to the person in question,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last five (5) years. In addition, under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay with effect from 1 August 2025, will positively affect members of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, in July 2022, Government approved a move over, a six-year period, to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. Achieving LOA2 requires an increase in Permanent Defence Force establishment figure to 11,500, to include a civilian component. This framework also provides for an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: This is not a matter of responsibility for the Minister for Defence.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight Commissioned vessels. Four of the vessels are available for operations, including the three P60 class vessels which conduct patrols on a rotation basis. In addition to the three P60 class vessels, the L.É. Aoibhinn (P71) is also deployed on Maritime Defence and Security Operations (MDSO). Extensive work is ongoing to oversee a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The ongoing staffing challenges in the Naval Service are well documented and to address these a wide range of recruitment and retention initiatives have been introduced. These include an increase the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles that had a recruitment age below that, and to 50 for Direct Entry Officer specialists; an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62; a doubling...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The following table gives a breakdown of the Defence Forces CO2 emissions (kgCO2) for all energy consumption in 2024. Defence Forces CO2 emissions figures 2024 Source KgCO2 % breakdown Net Electricity imports 7,417,362 22% Road Diesel 3,738,866 11% Marine gasoil 7,283,317 22%...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Capital Expenditure Programme (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The revised NDP Capital allocation for the Defence Vote Group for the period 2026-2030 is €1,700 million. This represents an increase of €600 million (55%) on the previous baseline of €1,100 million. The revised capital allocations will assist ongoing efforts at modernising and upgrading Defence equipment and built infrastructure platforms, and will enable targeted...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has not been subjected to any pressure to increase defence spending by European counterparts. Notwithstanding that however, Ireland recognises the need to enhance our individual and collective preparedness and capability across all areas of security and defence, and this will require investment. In EU terms, defence spending remains a matter for Member States, who solely determine the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: It has not been possible to collate the information within the timeframe available. I will respond to the Deputy when the information requested is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The number of civil service staff employed by the Department of Defence as at 21st July 2025 was 489 (472.69 Full Time Equivalents), which includes 15 Civil Servants working directly with the Defence Forces across a number of military installations. The following table sets out the breakdown by grade of full time equivalent civil servants directly employed by my Department. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Information and Communications Technology (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' Shared Service. My Department employs a blended model for meeting IT and Cybersecurity requirements, comprising both internal resources and external specialists in the areas of systems management, software development, and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Meetings (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) was established in 2021 with a mission “to ensure Ireland develops appropriate, leading edge and trusted defence and security capabilities in the land, sea, air, space and cyber domains, in order to protect our society, create jobs, drive research and enhance Ireland’s economic growth”. National Defence Industry...