Results 38,861-38,880 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (11 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: In my Department’s offices in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, each building has a designated rest room which can be used for the purpose of breastfeeding or expressing breast milk. Our current file warehouse in Finglas will be moved to a new premises in 2023 and dedicated rest room facilities for use of breastfeeding colleagues will be provided in the new facility. My Department complies...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Transport (11 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department has a dedicated Policy on all matters relating to official travel by staff of the Department and its Offices, including air travel. The Policy is framed on the relevant circulars and advice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and reflects the general principle of achieving efficiency and value for money and minimising travel and subsistence costs. The Policy is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Recruitment to the Defence Forces is conducted by the military authorities in accordance with the Defence Act 1954, as amended. The recruitment process is staffed by serving members of the Defence Forces and serving personnel also engage with recruitment activities such as career talks in schools and attendance at careers events. Units throughout the Defence Forces also host transition year...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have fully acknowledged the staffing issues affecting the Defence Forces. Personnel leave the Permanent Defence Force for a number of reasons including on age grounds, at the end of contract and on voluntary discharge. More than 50% of those who leave the Defence Forces do so with some form of pension which can make taking up a position in the private sector very attractive. My focus is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have provided the following details in relation to the vacancies that existed on 4 October 2022 in the Defence Forces School of Music. Rank Lt Col Comdt Captain Lt CS CQ Sgt Cpl Pte Strength 1 1 3 0 3 1 32 26 43 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Sanction for these posts has recently been received and the process of engagement with the Top Level Appointments Committee has commenced. The recruitment process will be independent of my Department, but I would wish to see the posts filled at the earliest opportunity.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (11 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am very cognisant of the fact that the RDF strength level remains lower than the Establishment figure. However, I am aware of the many initiatives in place to recruit individuals to the Reserve. While the commitment to restoring the strength of the RDF is not in doubt, given the competing recruitment demands at present, PDF recruitment is and should remain a priority. I would add also...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (11 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The event to which the Deputy refers took place on 6 October. Its aim was to provide information to Irish industry and research institutions with a view to identifying opportunities to collaborate on future projects. The event was in support of Irish companies, especially SMEs, and Irish research institutions who are engaged in the development of technologies that enhance the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (11 Oct 2022)

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 (or expressing breast milk) in the workplace. These arrangements are in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Judicial Reviews (13 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the information requested by the Deputy, the Department has not been able to provide the information requested in the time allowed. The information requested is currently being compiled and will be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (13 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the Act”), which provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices that are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports. Under Section 14 of the Act, the Passport Service requires the consent of guardians before issuing a passport for a child under 18 years of age ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Judicial Reviews (13 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The question raised by the Deputy could not be answered in the time allowed. I will revert to the Deputy when the information requested has been compiled.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (12 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the Foreign Birth Registration application about which the Deputy has enquired, the submitted birth certificate has been returned by post to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (12 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are currently two officers at Clerical Officer grade temporarily assigned to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and one Counsellor (PO equivalent) serving there on secondment. A First Secretary has recently completed an assignment to that Department. The areas referenced in the question are not under the direct remit of my Department but we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (12 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: No staff in my Department are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise and provide support to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfill its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (18 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2022-2025 has a central focus on strengthening the security of all our information and communications technology (ICT) systems. Our cyber security approach is multi-dimensional and in line with the advice of the National Cyber Security Centre, with whom we have a deep partnership. The expenditure on cyber security defence is integrated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (18 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Cloud migration is an important feature of my Department’s Digital Transformation Strategy. My Department substantially avails of ‘build to share’ services delivered by the OGCIO Government cloud. Only a very small number of systems are delivered using a cloud platform.. There are no agencies or subsidiaries under the remit of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns all forms of racial discrimination, religious intolerance, including antisemitism, and hate speech based on the fundamental principles of human rights. Ireland is a signatory of the Stockholm Declaration of the International Forum on the Holocaust, and is a member of the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. In October 2021, Ireland co-signed a Joint Statement on Combating...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Special Advisers are Chris Donoghue and Laura McGonigle and they are paid on the Principal Officer payscale. Minister of State Thomas Byrne's Special Adviser is Daniel Griffin. Minister of State Colm Brophy does not have a Special Adviser. Special Advisers to Ministers of State are paid at the Assistant Principal Officer payscale.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (18 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In...