Results 34,381-34,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). End of month strength returns are collated at the mid-month point of the following month. The most up to date figures available therefore for the effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) are, as of 31 March 2021, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Whilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role. In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 428 together. I take it that the Deputy is referring to the absence of the concept of “supplementary pensions” from the provisions of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. The occupational pension scheme terms of post-1 January 2013 new entrants to the public service, including the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), are governed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s high level plan “Strengthening Our Defence Forces – Phase 1” sets out a range of actions to be undertaken in the short, medium and longer term. The plan is complemented by a range of other HR actions which were already underway. The immediate pay measures set out in the plan i.e. an increase in Military Service Allowance, the reversal of 10% cuts...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The EU Working Time Directive has been transposed into national legislation by way of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. The Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. The Government, however, has committed to amending this Act and bringing both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochana within the scope of its...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible. This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: As at 30thApril 2021, a total of 149 personnel were inducted into the Permanent Defence Force comprised of 132 General Service recruits, 2 Direct Entry personnel, 14 re-enlisted personnel and 1 re-commissioned officer. The following table contains the requested breakdown of the 132 General Service Recruits: Branch Male Female Total Army ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: As of 7 April 2021, Ireland is contributing 551 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 341 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 128 personnel.Ireland also contributes observers and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Defence Agency (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established by a joint action of the Council of the European Union in 2004 (revised on 12thJuly 2011 Council Decision 2011/411/CFSP), "to support the Member States and the Council in their effort to improve the Union’s defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Registration of Births (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications has been temporarily paused as a result of COVID-19 related restrictions. Prior to this pause, it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This was due to pressures on the FBR service, the complex nature of FBR applications, the high volume of applications due to Brexit as well as the impact of COVID-19...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that the Embassy of Ireland in Bangkok is providing all possible consular advice and support to the citizen, including in relation to his welfare as well as regarding local requirements in terms of visa and immigration procedures. As the Deputy will be aware, restrictions on travel to Ireland in the context of COVID-19 are a matter for the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 135, inclusive, together. The Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”. During Level 5 restrictions, the Passport Service processed more than 40,000 or just over one third of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Asylum Seekers (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have consistently ensured that Ireland voices its support for EU efforts to put in place more effective and humane arrangements to manage the migratory pressures which the EU continues to face. The EU Commission’s “New Pact on Migration and Asylum” represents an opportunity to renew efforts to put in place such arrangements. Discussions on the Pact are continuing within...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: India's health system continues to battle the surging caseload in the country. Further to an earlier donation of 700 oxygen concentrators, the Government has donated a further 500 concentrators, 2 oxygen generators, and other vital materials to India. This additional donation arrived in Delhi Airport on Tuesday 4 May. These donations formed part of the coordinated effort by EU Member...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has incurred no expenditure on external advertising in relation to Covid-19. My Department has made extensive use of our online resources in the dissemination of information and advice, particularly in regard to international travel and the provision of consular assistance. This has included a major overhaul of the travel advice section of the dfa.ie website and those of our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am not aware of the specific matter referred to in the details supplied. Issues relating to international trade are a matter for an Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”. Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has incurred no expenditure on advertising and awareness raising initiatives in relation to Covid-19 in any media outlet from March 2020 to date 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Land Transfers (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The property in question is surplus to military requirements and, in line with Government policy, the intention is to dispose of the property by way of transfer to Wicklow County Council, in order to support the provision of housing by that Local Authority. Officials from my Department are currently liaising with the Chief State's Solicitors Office on the necessary legal matters with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Vaccination Programme (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 145, inclusive, together. 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 (updated 30 April 2021). It sets out a provisional list of groups for...