Results 11,681-11,700 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Functions (18 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 299 of 2017) was approved by Government on 5 July 2017 and came into effect on that date. Pursuant to the Order, statutory responsibility for a wide range of Defence matters has been delegated to me. The principal responsibilities delegated include powers to make Regulations under various provisions of the Defence Acts...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (18 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I have previously acknowledged that there are recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces. This is reflective of the current buoyant economic environment and jobs market. I brought these issues to the attention of the Public Service Pay Commission who recently produced their report.  The Commission’s recommendations have been accepted by Government and an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (18 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Government is committed to a PDF strength of 9,500 personnel in order to undertake the roles set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015). In this context the Defence Forces continues to implement its recruitment plan, targeting General Service Recruits, Cadets and specialists for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (18 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The establishment of the Permanent Defence Force is 9,500 personnel. The military authorities have informed me that the establishment for Units based in Custume Barracks is approximately 995 personnel. Military service entails personnel moving into and out of particular postings and as they serve at home and overseas, receive training and undergo educational and career...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Retirements (18 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am unaware of any restrictions in Defence Forces regulations such as those described by the Deputy. I would appreciate if the Deputy would furnish me with specific details of his concerns. 

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Pensions (18 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The issue raised by the Deputy relates to the operation of Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012. This provides that where a retired public servant who is in receipt of a public service retirement pension resumes employment anywhere in the public service on or after 1 November 2012, their pension is liable to abatement, that is, cessation or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: 112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if superannuation documents will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37818/19]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Medals (19 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (19 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The White Paper on Defence provides for the replacement of the two CASA 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft with consideration of their...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Data (19 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together. The Regulation of Lobbying Act was enacted in 2015. Section 22 of the Act provides that specific categories of Designated Public Officials (“DPOs”) are subject to a one-year “cooling-off” period, during which they cannot engage in lobbying activities in specific circumstances, or be employed by, or provide...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (19 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Army Pensions Acts provide for the grant of pensions and gratuities to former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in respect of permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad) or due to disease attributable to or aggravated by overseas service with the United Nations. Section 13(2) of the Army Pensions Act, 1923, as...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Treatment Benefit Scheme Eligibility (19 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: 236. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to persons (details supplied) being given access to the treatment benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38002/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (24 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Government has acknowledged that there are recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces that must be addressed.  It is a fact that members of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF, are being attracted to jobs elsewhere in a buoyant labour market. In light of the particular challenges faced by the defence sector, the Government tasked the Public Service Pay Commission...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (24 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I have acknowledged that there are significant challenges within the Defence Forces. As I stated, we are competing in a very strong and buoyant jobs market in which there is almost full employment. I asked the two Defence Forces representative associations to consider very carefully the report of the pay commission published in July. I am delighted that the recommendations of the public...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (24 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: It is very easy to stand on the sidelines and criticise. The Deputy does not have the responsibility of dealing with public sector pay. Of course, his party previously had that responsibility and got us into a big mess. I want to get back to a strength level of 9,500 personnel and that is achievable with the assistance of military management, the Department of Defence, RACO and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (24 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Government has acknowledged that there are recruitment and retention difficulties and challenges in the Defence Forces. The buoyant labour market and increased competition across sectors to attract personnel are key factors. The level of the departure of personnel can fluctuate, as can the timing of departures. As such, it is very difficult to predict accurately future departure rates....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (24 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I had very constructive meetings last week with RACO and PDFORRA. I addressed the conference this morning and I totally disagree with the Deputy's assertion. While Deputy Crowe mentioned allowances, the Public Service Pay Commission report has restored the allowances to pre-Haddington Road agreement levels and the Deputy fails to acknowledge that. Any officer of the Defence Forces, having...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (24 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Were I in the Deputy's position in opposition, I would not have the responsibility of Government and I could shout from the rooftop that core pay should be increased. That is very easy to say. I assure the Deputy that were I to state that we would increase core pay for the Defence Forces but for nobody else, he would be in here the next morning hopping off the ceiling saying that if the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Strength (24 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am also happy about the restoration of allowances in the pay commission's report. There is also an implementation plan. There is a clear set of guidelines and timelines to ensure that whatever its recommendations, they will be implemented.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (24 Sep 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence Vote was allocated with a funding envelope of €758 million in 2019. This represented an increase of €51 million, or 7%, over the corresponding 2018 allocation and includes funding for pay and allowances for over 10,400 public service employees, ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs and the ongoing renewal and upgrading of defence equipment and...