Results 9,541-9,560 of 12,701 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In relation to numbers and costs of mobile phones and such communications equipment issued to programme managers, advisers, press officers and Departmental staff, the information required by the deputy is in the following table. Year Total new connections or subscriber starts — all staff (These figures include upgrades and replacements) Total no. of Instruments held by Department Total...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (20 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The number of medical staff within the Defence Forces is thirty-one (31) comprised of twenty-two (22) Medical Officers, four (4) Dentists, one (1) Periodontist and four (4) Pharmacists. In addition, there are twenty-four (24) members of the Army Nursing Service. The number of medical staff who hold a Psychiatric qualification is one (1). The number of medical personnel serving or assigned...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (20 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tables. Minister's Constituency Office Year Number of Civil Servants employed Full time Part time 01.01.2008 to 20.05.2008 5 1 2007 6 0 2006 5 1 2005 5 1 2004 2 1 2003 2 1 2002 3 1 2001 3 1 2000 2 0 1999 3 0 1998 3 0 1997 3 0 Minister of State's Office Year Number of Civil Servants employed 01.01.2008 to...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (15 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 186 and 187 together. In response to the Deputy's questions I wish to state that since 26 February 2008 a total of two Directors have been appointed by me to the Board of Coiste an Asgard. Mr. Noel Ryan and Mr. Joe McPeake were both appointed on 18 April 2008. The Directors reside in Caherconlish, Co. Limerick and Hollystown, Dublin 15 respectively. Mr....

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (15 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy will be aware that there is no EU Defence Ministers Council. However, twice a year — once during each presidency — the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC), which comprises Ministers for Foreign Affairs, meets with Defence Ministers in attendance. Year Number of Council meetings attended by Minister in the Department of Defence 2006 2 2007 1 2008 0...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (15 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: My Department engaged the services of McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors on 20 April 2007 to provide legal drafting, research and advice services specifically in relation to the drafting of new Rules of Procedure and Court-Martial Rules, following on from the enactment of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2007. A total of €43,741.50, including VAT, was paid to McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors on 12 March...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (13 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The site referred to by the Deputy was situated in Area C where a maximum height restriction of 131.6 meters Ordnance Datum (O.D.) applied. The site in question was calculated at 127 m O.D.

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (13 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The National Emergency Co-Ordination Centre is located in Agriculture House. Its primary purpose is to provide a dedicated multifunctional facility in which ministers and/or senior officials would convene to coordinate the response in the event of a major emergency. The centre is equipped with the latest robust communications systems. The initial capital cost of providing the centre is...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 483 together. On Monday 14th April 2008, the Public Information and Awareness Campaign on Emergency Planning was launched at the National Emergency Coordination Centre. The main focus of the campaign was the publication and distribution of a handbook — 'Preparing for Major Emergencies'. The handbook was distributed to every household in the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Office of Emergency Planning was established in the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11th. It is a joint civil and military Office within the Department of Defence comprising of four Civil Servants and two Officers from the Defence Forces. The Office has a number of distinct roles. These include the provision of administrative support to the Government Task Force on Emergency...

Written Answers — Estate Management: Estate Management (8 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 485 and 486 together. Officials of my Department met with the residents of Orchard Park on 11th February 2008. At that meeting issues of concern were raised by the residents and it was agreed that work was needed to be done to improve the estate. It was requested that the residents put forward a proposal of works for the Department's consideration. In the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The average time taken to make payment to suppliers of goods and services to my Department, the Defence Forces, the Civil Defence Board and Coiste an Asgard for each of the years in question is as follows: Year Average Payment Period in Days 2004 12 2005 11 2006 15 2007 9 2008 (to date) 8 My Department complies with the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997 and the...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (8 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Kickham Barracks is used on a full time basis by the Permanent Defence Forces and is the Head Quarters for 1 Southern Brigade, Reserve Defence Force. The Barracks is currently required by the Defence Forces. However, my Department's property portfolio is kept under on-going review. Properties deemed surplus to military requirements are disposed of and the funds invested to meet the...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (8 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Since 2000, apart from routine meetings in relation to the Estimates for my Department, no pre-budget meetings were held between my Department and the Department of Finance and the Department of An Taoiseach.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In 2004, my Department implemented a new payroll system for the payment of Reserve Defence Force (RDF) personnel at a cost of almost €51,000. There have been no other new payroll implementations during the years in question. The costs of maintaining, developing and upgrading all Departmental payroll systems (including hardware costs) during the years in question are given in the following...

Written Answers — Military Medical Services: Military Medical Services (8 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Military medical services and facilities exist to maintain the health of the Defence Forces and to support them in operational and overseas activities. The focus of the military medical service is on primary care, occupational medicine, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training. The challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 May 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Government decision on decentralisation in December 2003, provides for the transfer of all my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The construction of the Department's new headquarters is not expected to be completed until the second half of 2009. The Government decision also provides for the transfer of Defence Forces Headquarters staff to the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (29 Apr 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Day-to-day administration of recruitment to the Defence Forces is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff. I have been informed by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces ceased using the form AF340 on 1st February 2008 and now use the Garda Vetting Application Form.The form permits the applicant to give consent to the Garda Síochána to furnish to the military authorities a...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (29 Apr 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The requirement for the Defence Forces to charter civilian ships normally arises in the context of the logistical transport of military equipment abroad for the purpose of participation in peacekeeping and peace support operations. The most recent charter was the MV Zeran, which was used to transfer military equipment to Chad. I am advised that all ships chartered by the Defence Forces meet...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (29 Apr 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The procurement of software for my Department and the Defence Forces is carried out in accordance with government procurement and accounting procedures, from initial order to final payment. Within these procedures, the issue of certification does not arise.