Results 9,181-9,200 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I can assure the Deputy that the health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a high priority for me. The Defence Forces is fully aware of the importance of attention to mental health. Mental health services are part of the range of medical and non-medical services provided so as to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are medically fit to undertake the duties assigned to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The EU Common Security and Defence Policy naval operation EUNAVFOR MED (Operation Sophia), against human smugglers and traffickers, is one element of a comprehensive approach to addressing the migration crisis in the South Central Mediterranean. Operation Sophia was launched in June 2015 as part of the EU’s broader action to provide a comprehensive response to the global migration and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Following the completion of national requirements, Ireland yesterday joined the other 24 EU partners in collectively launching PESCO at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels In relation to the target of 2% of total defence spending on defence research and technology, this is a collective benchmark and applies to the combined expenditure of all PESCO participating member States. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Given the unique and demanding nature of military life, there is, understandably, a relatively high turnover of personnel in the Defence Forces on an annual basis. A certain level of turnover is desirable as a human resource and organisational objective, in order to maintain an appropriate age profile across the Defence Forces and to retain an approach to regular revitalisation. However, it...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) is an organisation dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces. It provides accommodation to homeless, elderly or disabled members in need of such domestic accommodation and shelter as well as other assistance and advice as required. O.N.E. has accommodation in Smithfield, Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence Forces Climate Survey was commissioned on foot of a recommendation contained in the third and most recent Report of the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG) which was established to oversee the implementation of recommendations relating to harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment within the Defence Forces. Follow up work to the initial findings in the Survey...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence confirms that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the Permanent Defence Force in times of crisis. In non-crisis situations, the main focus will be on training to prepare for this role. The Government has also assigned a formal role to the Reserve of contributing to state ceremonial events. The Government appreciates the service of the members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: At the outset, let me state that housing and homelessness remains the Government’s number one priority. The issue of housing and homelessness is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. My colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government, confirmed last week (6 December 2017) that the Government has...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Meetings (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I wish to begin by extending my thanks to the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) for their invitation to attend and address their biennial conference and for making the necessary arrangements. I have met with officials from RACO a number of times this year and am aware of the various matters which are currently concerning their members. The conference afforded...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: As the Deputy is aware, the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy was published in June 2016. The strategy sets the context and provides a guiding framework for the Union’s external action under the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The Strategy also identifies key security challenges facing the European Union within its neighbourhood and beyond, and commits to a global...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Operations (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role.  It also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis. This includes providing an inter-hospital service on an ‘as available’ basis to the HSE, providing for the transfer of patients, including priority 1 patients, to the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: From the most recent figures available (as of 31 October 2017), the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 9,219 whole time equivalent (WTE) personnel, broken down as follows: - Army: 7,417 - Air Corps: 744 - Naval Service: 1,058 While I acknowledge there a gap between these figures and the establishment figure of 9,500, the Government remains dedicated to returning...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Consideration is currently being given to the potential PESCO projects in which Ireland will participate. The work on elaborating the details of these project proposals and potential participants is currently ongoing at EU level and Ireland is playing its full part in those deliberations. While some additional costs may arise in respect of participation in specific PESCO Project(s)...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Following the launch of PESCO yesterday at the Foreign Affairs Council, focus will now centre on the participation in potential PESCO projects. The work on elaborating the details of these project proposals and potential participants is currently ongoing at EU level and Ireland is playing its full part in those deliberations. The types of projects at which we are considering participating...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: Expenditure by my Department for Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence) for 2008 to 2016 is as set out in the table below, along with expenditure expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP). The Army Pensions and Defence budget provision for 2017 is €921 million. 2017 GDP and GNP figures are not expected to be published until Q2,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Meetings (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: I did not meet with members of the Group on this occasion but I met with some of their members earlier this year. I am aware of their concerns. Like other areas within the Public Service, the pay of the Permanent Defence Force was reduced during the financial crisis. The reductions in pay and the introduction of a Pension Related Deduction was on a graduated basis with increased rates of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: As I have previously indicated to the Deputy, the Report of the Air Corps Formation Safety Officer was undertaken in the context of ongoing legal proceedings and it was in that context that the Report was requested by and provided to the State Claims Agency. As the Report was undertaken in the context of a claim, it is legally and professionally privileged.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy was published in June 2016. The strategy sets the context and provides a guiding framework for the Union’s external action under the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The Strategy also identifies key security challenges facing the European Union within its neighbourhood and beyond, and commits to a global order based on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Administration (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: 366. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Question No. 170 of 16 November 2017, if he plans to alter the regulations that will allow the landowner to replace existing vegetation with a different type that would be better for the environment and of benefit to the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52617/17]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (12 Dec 2017)

Paul Kehoe: The current rates for Defence Forces Pay and Allowances can be obtained from the Department of Defence website at: www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Document+ID/74BC7A8BD492845380258 17F0056D023?openDocument. These pay scales reflect increases in payscales awarded to Permanent Defence Force personnel in 2017 from PDFORRAs acceptance of the Lansdowne Road Agreement in March 2017.