Results 38,521-38,540 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: In recent weeks we have had excellent communication and exchange, at both Ministerial and official level, with the Kingdom of Thailand. Although I have not had a meeting so far in 2022 with Thailand’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am pleased to report that Thailand’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Vijavat Isarabhakdi, travelled to Ireland earlier this month and met with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The British Government’s 'Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill' was introduced on 17 May. The House of Commons have voted for the Bill to pass through its remaining stages, and the Bill will now go to the House of Lords for First Reading, though the date for this is not yet confirmed. It is deeply disappointing that the British Government has chosen to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has returned the original documentation that was submitted in support of the application. The documentation was dispatched with An Post from the Passport Service on 07/07/2022.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Arising from Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment, including mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh. The P50 class of vessels in the Naval Service ship flotilla were built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK. LÉ Róisín (P51) was commissioned in 1999, with LÉ Niamh (P52) commissioned in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Sector Pensions (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The number of  staff on the civil service payroll who are abated in my Department in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, is as follows. Number of staff abated under Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012   2

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 429 together. As at 31 May 2022, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 8,243 personnel, or 87% of the establishment strength of 9,500 personnel.  This strength was comprised of:  - Army 6,670  personnel (establishment strength 7,520) - Air Corps was 728 personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 30 June 2022, is 748 wholetime equivalent personnel. The table below shows the strength by requested stream. Personnel Stream Strength as at 30/06/2022 Qualified pilots 97 Cadets currently completing military training* ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 to 433, inclusive, 442, 443 and 446 to 448, inclusive, together. As at 31 May, 2022, the latest date for which such figures are available, 33 of the 586 female Permanent Defence Force personnel were serving overseas. The requested breakdown of the total female strength of 586, by rank, is as follows. OFFICER LT GEN MAJ GEN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF. The White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve and the Government remains fully committed to this. The strength of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 31 May 2022, the effective female strength of the RDF is 194 members. In line with current policies and commitments, a number...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

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). The combined effective strength of the AR and NSR, at year end, for the past five years is set out below. Year AR & NSR Effective Personnel (at year end) 2021 1,489 2020 1,588 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government has approved a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. The move to LOA2 will require an additional 2,000 personnel (civil and military) over and above the current establishment of 9,500. Work has already commenced on this with the recently announced recruitment campaign,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by the Government and an extensive High Level Plan titled "Strengthening our Defence Forces” was also agreed and published on the same date. All projects undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department employs civilian staff at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum and include craft workers (Electricians, Carpenters, Plumbers, Fitters, Welders etc.), services (General Operatives), administrative (Clerks, Storemen), healthcare professionals (Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists)...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Civilian Employees are employed by my Department to support the operational capability of the Defence Forces.  The recruitment of Civilian Employees for military instillations is an ongoing process, informed by prioritisation of posts by military management. My Department is currently running the following open competitions and are at various stages in the recruitment process: -...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I wish to advise the Deputy that the current rates of pay and allowances for all members of the Defence Forces are publicly available through the Department of Defence Website  at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/e8132-routinely-publi shed-information/#defence-forces-pay-scales

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: A wide range of medical services are provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force, including an annual medical examination, sick parades, GP services, prescription services, laboratory services, physiotherapy, chiropody, radiology, ophthalmic examinations, clinical mental health services provided by an in-house psychiatrist and two in-house psychologists, in-patient and outpatient...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 to 451, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware it is a long standing policy that long term residential married quarters are no longer provided. It is not intended to reverse this long standing policy which was introduced in the early 1990s and was implemented on a gradual basis in recognition of the sensitivities involved for those  personal...