Results 10,501-10,520 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Arising from a recommendation made in 1990 by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces (the Gleeson Commission), Military Service Allowance (MSA) was made pensionable in the case of personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990. As I have previously indicated to the House, this approach was fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy...

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (22 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 415, 416, 423 and 424 together. The Department of Health and Children is responsible for policy formation in respect of pre-hospital emergency care, and the Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for the provision of ambulance services throughout the State. A Service Level Agreement between my Department and the Department of Health and...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (22 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Clancy Barracks, Dublin was offered for sale by public tender on the 14 June 2001. Two bids were received, one of which was from Dublin City Council. Both tenders were considered too low to permit acceptance. Subsequently discussions took place with officials of the then Department of the Environment and Local Government and Dublin City Council. In the event, Dublin City Council did not...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Arising from a recommendation made in 1990 by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces (the Gleeson Commission), Military Service Allowance (MSA) was made pensionable in the case of personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990. As I have previously indicated to the House, this approach was fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The contributory pension schemes for the widow(er)s and children of deceased military personnel are essentially the same as those applying elsewhere in the public service. Benefits under the schemes are additional to Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension under the Social Welfare Acts for which Defence Forces' personnel are insured by virtue of their PRSI contributions. Provision for the payment...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Under the existing Defence Forces Pensions Schemes, the minimum service required for an immediate pension in the case of NCOs and Privates is 21 years. The pension for 21 years' service is a flat rate amount which varies according to rank and which, together with the addition for military service allowance, currently ranges from €248.35 a week in the case of a Private to €370.30 a week...

Written Answers — Early Retirement Schemes: Early Retirement Schemes (22 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In common with other groups of public servants, there are certain circumstances whereby a civilian employee of my Department can retire in advance of the standard retirement age of 65. Firstly, an employee with an ongoing serious medical condition who has at least five years' pensionable service may apply to retire on grounds of ill-health. An application of this nature is subject to the...

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (22 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: In May 2003 my Department initiated its Radon Gas Programme. This involved a survey of buildings and military installations which I have responsibility for. To date the majority of the locations have been tested. Inspections are carried out in accordance with criteria set down by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) and The Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Some...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The Department and the Defence Forces use a number of different types of fuel. These are electricity, oil and gas. Each type of fuel is measured in a different way and priced at different rates. For example electricity is measured in units, however the rates vary depending on time of usage, day rates, night rates and in other cases tariff charges. Given the various measurement methods...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Expenditure in relation to water in my Department in 2005 was €7,675.09. This amount consists of €6,032.27 in connection with services, filtering and cooling of the tap water supply for drinking and €1,642.82 for 1,172 litres of bottled water. The amount of tap water used is unquantifiable. The suppliers involved are: All Water Systems, City West Business Campus, Saggart, Co. Dublin...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Medical Corps: Defence Forces Medical Corps (21 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: Sick leave in the Defence Forces was about 14 days per annum per person in the period from October 2005 to 30 September 2006. A SFA report earlier this year identified an average of 10 days absence per person per annum in larger firms. Military service, due to the robust nature of the physical training regime exposes personnel to a unique range of challenging environments with attendant...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (21 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy is aware I addressed this matter during Priority Questions on Thursday 16 November 2006 last. The Chief of Staff appointed Col. Tom Behan to examine all aspects of the Niemba ambush. Due to the breadth of this investigation, this process has taken some time. I have now had a chance to review this Report. I would like to congratulate Col. Behan for the time and effort he has...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: A total of 56 staff in my Department have volunteered to relocate to Newbridge, Co. Kildare. A further 38 staff from other Government Departments have joined my Department in order to transfer to the new location.

Written Answers — Weapons Amnesty: Weapons Amnesty (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: An Garda Síochána have the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, an Garda Síochána), which duties include the protection and guarding of vital installations, the provision of certain...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: On 2 February, 2006, I received a report from Mr. Sean Hurley, who I had appointed to carry out an independent review of the interaction between the Department of Defence/Defence Forces and parents and family of Private Kevin Barrett in the aftermath of his tragic death, on 18 February, 1999, while serving with the 84th Infantry Battalion in Lebanon. Mr. Hurley looked in detail at how the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Staff: Defence Forces Staff (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 33 together. Sick leave in the Defence Forces was about 14 days per annum per person in the period from October 2005 to 30 September 2006. A SFA report earlier this year identified an average of 10 days absence per person per annum in larger firms. Military service, due to the robust nature of the physical training regime exposes personnel to a unique...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 31 and 69 together. A claim has been received from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) for an increase in overseas allowance. This claim will be processed through the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Permanent Defence Force. By agreement with the Association, discussions under the Scheme are confidential...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: The sale of a site comprising c. 2.7 acres to the Southern Health Board at the former Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, Co. Cork for €1.73 million was completed in December 2004. 19.218 acres at the former Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, were sold to Cork County Council in 2001 for €0.974 million for development in conjunction with the IDA. 10 acres at Ringaskiddy was transferred from my...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: An informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers took place in Levi, Finland on 2nd and 3rd October, 2006. In tandem with the informal Defence Ministers' meeting, there was a Ministerial level meeting of the EDA Steering Board. The main item on the Agenda for the Steering Board was a discussion on the EDA's initial long-term vision, which had been developed by the Agency over the past number of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (16 Nov 2006)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together. Haulbowline Island comprises approximately 84 acres in total and is, in its entirety, vested in the Minister for Finance. The area of the Island formerly under Lease to Irish Ispat (previously Irish Steel), and now under the administration of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government arising from the liquidation of...