Results 9,001-9,020 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (22 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: An Bonn Seirbhíse (Na hÓglaigh Cúltaca) (The Service Medal (Reserve Defence Force) (formerly known as The Service Medal FCA and An Slua Muirí)was introduced in June 1961 for members and former members of the Reserve. The medal is awarded to qualifying personnel after 7 years’ service. A bar is awarded after 12 years’ service and a second bar is awarded...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (22 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces are set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various parts of the public sector. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-2015 and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (the Lansdowne Road Agreement) define current pay policy for Public Servants and members of the...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Veterans Lapel Badge) Bill 2017: Second Stage (22 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I welcome this opportunity to respond to Senator Craughwell's Private Members' Bill which proposes the establishment of a veterans’ lapel badge to be conferred upon former members of the Irish Defence Forces. The Bill proposes that the badge is to be worn on formal occasions to enable other people to recognise former members' past service in the Irish Defence Forces. The Government,...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I thank the select committee for giving me the opportunity to present for its consideration the Supplementary Estimate for Vote 35 – Army Pensions. I will commence with a short statement setting out the background to this Supplementary Estimate. The Army pensions Vote makes provision for retired pay, pensions, allowances and gratuities payable to or in respect of members of the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: In response to the Chairman's question on pensions, I am told by officials that this information is published in booklets available to all members of the Defence Forces, enlisted personnel and officers. I work with the pension side, and I know that there is a good mix of enlisted personnel and officers in receipt of such pensions. I will take the Chairman's query away from this meeting and...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: This is published in information booklets available in every barracks and is available to all members of the PDF, enlisted and officers. The personal support services are there to assist members and to inform them of any pension rights they are entitled to.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I know from my own experience that many medical files have to be gathered and gone through. It is not a simple process. This has to go to different branches. It is not just one civil servant who reads a medical file and is able to determine if a person has lack of hearing, a disability or some form of injury. It has to go through different branches. The medical side takes some time and...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I can give the replies in writing.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: There have been quite a few questions. Will the Chair permit me to address the questions from the two Deputies first and then return to Deputy McLoughlin?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan spoke of morale in the Defence Forces. I presume the Deputy is referring to the University of Limerick, UL, document. My Department, the Defence Forces and the associations have taken that report very seriously. We have actioned quite a number of points and are working through the document. The report was carried out at a time of tough economic circumstances...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Like any organisation, people pass on their skills and knowledge, and I am the first to accept it is a challenge. I have been assured by the Chief of Staff that all new commissioned officers are given every help and assistance to bring them right through the organisation. These are highly trained and skilled cadets. I have looked at the curriculum to see how skilled these people are when...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: They are well able and independently able to work in the organisation. Direct entry and re-entry is something of my own initiative. I spoke about this in February or March and I stated I wanted this to be a priority. The terms and conditions are being worked on regarding re-entry. There are officers who have retired from the Defence Forces, such as pilots, explosive ordnance disposal...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I apologise, I have it here.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I would be the first to acknowledge that we have challenges.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I would be the first to state that we have our challenges in the Air Corps but within the PDF establishment of a naval service, it is 1,094. The strength as of the end of September 2017 was 1,076. I do not think there is a huge shortage of personnel given the figures of 1,094 and 1,076. Nobody in the Naval Service, the flag officer commanding or the Chief of Staff, has come to me to state...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Yes.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: No bother.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: No, I just wish to say that in the past two years, we have inducted 100 cadets across the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service. I hope it will be the same going forward.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I have no issue with that.

Leaders' Questions (28 Nov 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Whatever about that.