Results 5,921-5,940 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The number of personnel that can be recruited to the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve is dependent on the level of funding available for training. The level of resourcing available for Defence has reduced significantly over recent years. The funds available for paid training days for members of the Reserve have been cut from €4.96 million in 2009 to €2.48 million in 2011....

Written Answers — Naval Service Operations: Naval Service Operations (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The number of persons currently employed within the Naval Service Diving Section (NSDS) is eleven. The establishment for the Naval Service Diving Section is twenty three. As the Naval Service Diving Section can cater for a maximum of 12 students per course, and only one course is held annually, the maximum number of students that could be trained over the next two years is twenty four....

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together. The Minister for Defence has no plans to re-establish a national sail training scheme or to procure a ship to replace Asgard II. In the context of settling the Estimates for the Department of Defence for 2010, the previous Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued, as...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: In February 1997 the then Minister for Defence set out policy on married quarters on the basis that they were largely an anachronism and that they should be discontinued in a managed and orderly way. At that time there were 500 married quarters of which 380 were occupied. In the intervening period over 150 quarters located outside of barracks have been sold to occupants while many more...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. All promotions and...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am satisfied that the Civil Defence organisation continues to be in a position to train and equip volunteers to a very high standard. In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, which identifies a wide role for Civil Defence in emergency response, the strategies identified by the Civil Defence Board place a high priority on the organisation's ability to respond...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Department of Defence includes civil servants, military personnel and civilian employees. None of these staff are employed on a salary of €200,000 or above. Two individuals, the Secretary General and Chief of Staff, receive annual salaries in the €150,000 to €200,000 band. There are 14 members of staff in receipt of salaries in the €100,000 to €150,000 band: 4 civil servants,...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: 1. Civil Defence (Repeal) Bill. 2. Defence (Amendment) (Discipline) Bill. 3. Red Cross (Amendment) Bill. 4. Defence (Amendment) Bill 1. Civil Defence (Repeal) Bill -This Bill will, when enacted, repeal the Civil Defence Act 2002, dissolve the Civil Defence Board and transfer its functions, property, rights, liabilities and other responsibilities back to the Department of Defence.The Heads of...

Written Answers — Green Paper on Defence: Green Paper on Defence (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The first White Paper on Defence was intended to encompass the period to end 2010. Having considered the preliminary work undertaken on the preparation of a new White Paper, I decided in September 2011 to expand the planned consultative process by initiating the preparation of a Green Paper on Defence. The intention is that this will act as a catalyst to ensure an appropriate level of debate...

Written Answers — Emergency Planning: Emergency Planning (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair, meets on a regular basis and the most recent meeting was held yesterday, 12 December 2011. The Task Force includes representatives from all Government Departments, and Agencies who have a lead or support role in emergency planning. While the details of matters discussed at meetings of the Task Force are confidential, I can...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The role of Special Advisers in giving assistance with political implications is expressly recognised in the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. To ensure public confidence in the political impartiality of the Civil Service, paragraph 5.1 of the Code of Standards restricts civil servants above a certain grade from engaging in political activity; but, under paragraph 5.4, the...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question Number 218 of 22 September 2011, which set out details on Special Advisers appointed in my Department. The position has not changed. In my capacity as Minster for Justice and Equality I have appointed Ms Jane Lehane and Mr Thomas Cooney as my Special Advisers. They are both paid at the Principal Officer Standard Scale (€80,051 - €98,424).

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: In making his recommendations on the closure of each of the 31 Garda stations in question, the Commissioner reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures. In addition, all Divisional Officers were asked to...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 to 302, inclusive, together. In making his recommendations on the closure of each Garda station, the Garda Commissioner reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures. In...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the level of services provided at a Garda Station will vary in order to meet the requirements of the local community and may, in addition to the provision of policing services, include the following: - Insurance claims for lost property - Passport applications - Age Card applications - Firearms Licence applications - Proof identity forms...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that approximately 77% of the recommendations of the report are either implemented, completed or currently being progressed. The implementation of the remaining recommendations is under continuing review in the light of available resources and policing priorities. The table sets out the status of each recommendation. Training Review Report –...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the following is a break down of the courses facilitated by the Garda College and Garda Headquarters. The Stinger Course is facilitated at a Divisional Level and collating the relevant data would require a disproportionate amount of time and resources to compile. Course Year No.s undergo course* Length of time of each course Frequency of...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Canine Unit was established within the Irish Prison Service in early 2008 and currently has 26 trained dog handlers and a compliment of 36 trained dogs consisting of 23 passive dogs, 3 active dogs and 10 patrol dogs. All dogs are housed in-house at purpose built kennels located at designated prisons throughout the country. While it is not proposed to increase the number of handlers and...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The assignment of unassigned Circuit Court judges is a matter for the President of the Circuit Court. As the Deputy is aware the judiciary are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions subject only to the Constitution and the law. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that in a situation such as...

Written Answers — Garda Accommodation: Garda Accommodation (13 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), who have the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised by the Garda authorities that plans for the provision of the new regional Garda headquarters are...