Results 45,461-45,480 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Budget 2025 provided a record allocation of €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €100 million. In relation to specific recruitment targets, this allocation provides for the recruitment of at least a net additional 400 personnel per annum. Recruitment is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff and Military Authorities. The recruitment and retention...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government sets out significant investment targets for the defence sector over the coming years which builds on the already considerable investment made in recent years. In terms of built infrastructure, the Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. In order to further accelerate the development...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: United Nations (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that, under the UN Charter, the UN Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and in practice, peacekeeping missions are only ever deployed on the basis of mandates from the UN Security Council. In certain instances, where a matter has been considered by the Security Council and has been the subject of a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: In order to facilitate consistent reporting on defence expenditure internationally, agencies such as the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the Stockholm International Peace & Research Unit (SIPRI) utilise a standardised approach in determining defence expenditure. This includes direct military pensions costs as they constitute an inherent element of Defence Forces operations....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: There are currently seventy-nine (79) vacant residential Defence Forces properties that are uninhabitable. A further three (3) residential properties are vacant and require refurbishment. The Deputy may be aware that a consultant was commissioned by the Defence Forces to assess the condition of the vacant housing in barracks and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: There have been a number of calls for a public plebiscite in relation to the Government's proposed changes to the Triple Lock. It should be understood that this mechanism is not set out in our constitution – it is set down in national legislation, the Defence (Amendment) Act 1960 as amended. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland’s policy of military neutrality is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Significant progress that has been made, in terms of the pay for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last five (5) years. For context, in May 2019 a newly qualified three-star private could have expected to earn €27,759 gross per annum (including military service allowance but excluding duty allowances), on completion of his/her initial training. Following the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Projects (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department uses digital technology to support its work globally and to improve the delivery of its services to the public. The following digital projects meet the criteria mentioned. There are no other bodies under the Department’s aegis. Project Description Allocation Expenditure to Date Expected Total Expenditure Delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: 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. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 30 April 2025. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this case with me. I have requested that officials in my Department make contact with your constituency office to discuss this case further and to explore how best we can assist the citizen. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will provide all possible consular assistance to the citizen in accordance with the Department’s Consular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Intensive and constructive work has been ongoing since last autumn, at both official and political level, between the Irish and British governments to determine if we can find adequate common ground to move forward together on legacy. I have been clear that the UK Legacy Act, as it stands, is not fit for purpose. In addressing the legacy of the Troubles, there is a need to develop...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand for passports and has issued over 390,000 passports and passport cards to date this year. To date this year we have received 26,997 online applications from Cork – 22,271 of these have been fully processed and dispatched. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland like many other countries in Europe has witnessed a fundamental change in our security environment with an increased focus on maritime security and the protection of sub-sea cables. The security of Ireland’s sub-sea infrastructure is a matter of utmost importance with maritime security representing a priority action area for this Government. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Projects (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The following table lists the IT projects undertaken by my Department in the years 2020 to date, which have been allocated funds in excess of €1million; Project/Year Purpose Initial estimate € (Ex. VAT) Spend to date * € (Ex. VAT) Estimated cost to complete€ (Ex. VAT) Estimated total contract cost€ (Ex....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Arbitration Board made a ruling in respect of the post of Director of Military Prosecutions, following an appeal by the Official Side (of the C&A Scheme) on a previous finding by the then Adjudicator. This ruling is being examined by Officials in my Department and I understand that a recommendation will be made to me shortly on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: A review of all medical services provided to Defence Forces personnel has been undertaken. The report is currently being examined and it is expected that it will be submitted for my consideration shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Sector Staff (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: There are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), which was placed on a statutory basis on 1 December 2024. The civil service support staff for those bodies are included in the data for the Department. In addition to Civil Servants, my Department also employs a...