Results 33,881-33,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The majority of landings by US military aircraft at Shannon airport are for refuelling purposes or for crew rest. There were 84 crew rest stopovers at Shannon between 1 February 2020 and 31 January 2021. The Department of Foreign Affairs is not involved in, and does not comment on, accommodation arrangements for US military personnel transiting through Shannon.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Where supporting documentation is required for a Passport Online application, it is registered when it is received from the applicant. It is then processed by our Document Verification Officers and stored while the application is under process. Original supporting documents are returned to the applicant after the passport has been dispatched. At Level 5 of the National Framework for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vaccination Programme (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will appreciate, the global situation in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly, including in relation to the roll-out of vaccines. My Department publishes Travel Advice for over 200 countries, which is based on consultation with our Embassies and Consulates on the ground, the relevant local authorities in each country and our international partners,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I regularly discuss the EU response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related issues such as travel restrictions in my meetings and contacts with my EU counterparts as does my colleague, the Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, T.D. These issues have been discussed in a series of virtual meetings which I have had with EU and European counterparts recently while they also arose at...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Offices (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department strictly adheres to the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, including the associated Regulations which provide for the protection of mothers who are breastfeeding. My Department has offices in Newbridge, Galway, Roscrea and Dublin. On request, suitable facilities are provided for breastfeeding in the workplace. These arrangements are in place to support a mother who...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Vaccination Programme (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020. It sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The allocation strategy is a living document which can be modified by Government based...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Advisers (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Mr. Chris Donoghue and Ms. Laura McGonigle have been appointed as Special Advisers to me, as both Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs, and are employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. My Office will contact the Deputy directly with contact details. They can also be contacted by telephone at the Department of Defence on 045 492000.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The following table provides details of the number of civil servants employed in my Department by gender and grade as at 15 February, 2021. Salary scales applicable are determined by the date of appointment to the grade of each individual and different scales apply to established employees appointed on or after 6 April 1995, paying the Class A rate of PRSI contribution and making an employee...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reviews (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The following table provides details of live studies, reviews and research being undertaken by my Department, or commissioned by me as Minister for Defence. It also includes the scheduled completion dates. Activity Details Scheduled date of completion Live Study Project 88 under the White Paper is a Defence funding study to capture in a new...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Defence Forces Regulation CS4 and its accompanying Administrative Instructions provide for the organisation and numerical establishment of Defence Forces Units. There are no appointments for Paramedics or Advanced Paramedics within the CS4 establishment of the Central Medical Unit (CMU). There is work ongoing to define the future requirements for such positions and to regularise these posts...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi-annual timeframe. Over the course of the programme it is projected that some €145m will be allocated to ensure programme delivery. I wish to advise the Deputy that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable them to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: For reasons of operational security, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the disposition and specifics of the Defence Forces' Communication and Information Service (CIS).

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Government and Dáil approval was received in June 2019 for the deployment of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Forces to participate in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in MALI (MINUSMA). MINUSMA was established under the provisions of Chapter VII of the UN Charter and by Security Council resolution 2100 (25 April 2013) to support political...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: It is presumed that the Deputy is referring to the number of personnel qualifying for the Sea Going Naval Personnel Tax Credit in 2021 by reference to the preceding year of assessment i.e. 2020. In order to assist with administration of the credit, the relevant details of the individuals who may qualify in respect of 2020 have been sought from the Naval Service by my Department. Once...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have advised me that the data requested by the Deputy is not readily accessible as they do not capture data in this manner. I can confirm that the number of personnel who have claimed Patrol Duty Allowance to date (22/2/21) in the band requested for 2020 is as follows: No. of Patrol days at sea 2020 No. of officers No. of enlisted personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Review (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: Following Government approval for the establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020, the Commission was tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Government also approved the Terms of Reference and the membership of the Commission. As part of a broader consultation process, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Vaccination Programme (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020. It sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. I am advised that the Defence Forces has established vaccine prioritisation which...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities of the following projects at the DFTC Curragh Camp that are at various stages of progression: Project Estimated Cost Project Status Range Upgrade and Installation of Automated Marking System €2m Commenced - Works Ongoing New Cadet School HQ (Refurbish Old Guard room...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (24 Feb 2021)

Simon Coveney: At present, a wide range of medical services are provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at State expense. These include: an annual medical examination, sick parades, attendance at GP surgery outside of sick parade and out of hours GP services, prescription services, laboratory services, physiotherapy, chiropody, radiology, ophthalmic examinations, mental health services...