Results 38,981-39,000 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: There is no record of any officials in the Department having undertaken the Harvard Business School advanced management programme in the past ten years.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (8 Nov 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 2015,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Maintaining and building on the strong ties between Ireland and the United States is a priority for this Government, as set out in our Strategy for the US and Canada (2019-2025). Ireland continually develops and maintains its close relations with the US, through the work of our Embassy in Washington D.C., and our other diplomatic missions across the US. High-level visits are a crucial...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy may be aware, in January this year, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise the unique role played by them during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The Government announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 484 to 486, inclusive, together. To compensate for the fact that members of the Defence Force are required to retire at an age which is considerably lower than in other employments, there are arrangements in place for accelerated pension provisions, where pension and gratuity may be payable on retirement at age 50. As current pension...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that offences relating to misconduct of a sexual nature are categorised as 'non-scheduled' in accordance with Part V of the Defence Act 1954 and are tried by Court Martial. During the period 2000 to 2021 and to date in 2022, Court Martials found charges proven in six (6) instances. As the Deputy will be aware, I am fully committed to ensuring that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that my Department earlier this year made a submission, as requested, to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Planning on suitable buildings and lands for accommodation purposes for those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Force's building stock covers a diverse range of building types, which are managed by military authorities and as such this information is not readily available centrally within my Department. My officials, with the Defence Forces, will compile the information requested and I will arrange to have same forwarded to you as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am assuming that the Deputy's question relates to major capital building investment at the DFTC, Curragh Camp for the past three years, 2019-2021 inclusive. The table below sets out the information sought. 2019 2020 2021 Refurbishment of Block 7 Plunkett Refurbishment of Block 7 Plunkett Refurbishment of Block 7 Plunkett ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: As part of the whole of Government response to provide assistance to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, I can confirm that my Department has identified the former Mullingar Barracks as a site which could be used to accommodate such persons. It is primarily a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to satisfy itself that the premises are adequate...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised that the property referred to by the Deputy is no longer in the ownership of my Department and as such my Department has no role in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 476 together. The current legislation pertaining to protected disclosures was enacted in 2014 and hence the detail relating to protected disclosures provided herein commences from that time. The purpose of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (the Act) is to provide a mechanism whereby workers can provide information in confidence to employers relating...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I would like confirm to the Deputy that the Workplace Relations Commission recommendations on anti-discrimination law arising from a decision in December 2020 are currently being implemented by the Military Authorities with a view to ensuring that all of the training programmes, materials and associated documents for Defence Forces personnel are fully aligned, and compatible with the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The management of claims against the Minister for Defence in relation to personal injuries alleged to have occurred within Ireland has been delegated to the State Claims Agency (SCA) since 2001. The management of claims in respect of personal injuries alleged to have occurred overseas, claims of post-traumatic stress disorder, bullying and other harassment cases have been delegated to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 480 together. As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces can carry out their duties in a workplace underpinned by dignity and equality. The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by me, following Government approval, is examining the systems, policies and procedures...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has been represented at three in-person meetings of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group following receipt of an invitation to join. Two of those meetings took place in NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium and the other at the Ramstein Air Base, in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 483 together. The table below sets out current and former military barracks owned or administered by the Department of Defence. Property Location Area (Hectares)* Current / Former Knockalisheen Camp Clare 51.24 Former Collins Barracks Cork 24.22 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I can assure the Deputy that I have ongoing engagement with civil and military management on all matters affecting the Defence Forces, including staffing matters. The military authorities have advised that, as at 30 September 2022, 243 Defence Force personnel had discharged by purchase. The Government has previously acknowledged the recruitment and retention difficulties in the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Permanent Defence Force was not included in the review in relation to the retirement ages of Public Servants by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform carried out in 2017. It was agreed then with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the retirement age for members of the uniformed fast accrual group, which included members of the Permanent Defence Force along with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The work of the Judge-led Independent Review Group (IRG), established by me on 25 January last, following Government approval, is examining issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct, as well as workplace culture, in the Defence Forces. I can assure the Deputy that the process I have undertaken for appointing the members of the Group has been entirely...