Results 261-280 of 45,480 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: All recruits are required to successfully complete approximately 24 weeks induction training in order to be appointed to the rank of Private 3*. Payment of Military Service Allowance (MSA) only commences on appointment to that rank. All personnel in receipt of MSA can be called upon to carry out a range of duties, associated with this 3* rank. For the Deputy's information, Military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for his question. All recruits are required to successfully complete approximately 24 weeks induction training in order to be appointed to the rank of Private 3*. Payment of Military Service Allowance (MSA) only commences on appointment to that rank. All personnel in receipt of MSA can be called upon to carry out a range of duties, associated with this 3* rank. For...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: It is not possible to collate the necessary data, to reply to this question, in the time available. I will revert to the Deputy, with a substantive reply, as soon as the material is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Schemes (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In 2024, my Department published the Defence Policy Review, which identified hybrid actions as those conducted by state or non-state actors, whose goal it is to undermine or harm a target by combining overt and covert military and non-military means, including disinformation, cyber-attacks, and economic pressure. The Defence Forces have established a new Joint Cyber Defence Command. This new...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised that, as of the 28 February 2025, the latest date such figures are available for, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,502 personnel. The recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces have been previously acknowledged. To address these, a range of measures have been implemented. These include an increase in recruitment...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Process (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together. The General Scheme of the Bill which would govern overseas deployments of the Defence Forces was agreed by Cabinet on 4th March last, and the pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS) process will commence once the Oireachtas Committees are established. That process takes approximately eight working weeks (excludes Easter and other holiday...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the 1990s, the long-standing policy of my Department has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel. This policy approach remains reflective of the State’s move away from the historic provision of tied housing for State employees. The move away from this provision was accepted by senior military management at the time and has been acknowledged...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy may be aware that a consultant was commissioned by the Defence Forces to assess the condition of the derelict and vacant housing in barracks, including those in the Curragh Camp and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. My officials will be reporting to me with recommendations on how to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department’s Information systems and databases are designed using enterprise level technologies and are scalable to meet the increased data processing capacity required for evolving technologies such as AI. On foot of a policy making recommendation in the Department of Defence Capability Review (2022), my Department is currently in the process of developing a Data Governance...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Projects (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. I can confirm that this Department has no projects with underway with CeADAR. The use of artificial intelligence, as with all...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. There are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. My Department is currently exploring opportunities for the use of AI, but no use cases are currently in development. The use of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: At the moment, AI training is not widely offered to employees of my Department. However, where requested, AI training has been provided. This details are set out in the table below. Name of Course Date Days Training No. of employees HR tools and AI May 2024 0.5 Day 1 Project Management and AI ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Correspondence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: During 2024, my Department's customer service team did not receive any physical correspondence, while the Minister's Offices received 36 written letters. It is standard practice that all correspondence received in my Department is digitised.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Correspondence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: During 2024, my Department's customer service mailbox received 972 email queries, while the Minister's Offices received 1,121 email representations.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Surveys (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is committed to delivering in an effective and efficient manner for the State and its citizens. No surveys have been carried out in relation to the time required by administrative tasks, but as part of minimising such tasks, my Department avails of transactional HR and payroll services provided by the National Shared Services Office. In addition, each Branch is required to have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 1 April 2025 and by way of further clarification draw the Deputy’s attention to Article 79 (2) of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 5 together. On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The Court’s principal conclusion was that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland regards the area of autonomous weapons systems as one of the most pressing issues facing the modern disarmament agenda. Their development and deployment raise serious ethical and legal questions and concerns including with regard to compliance with International Humanitarian law, human control and accountability. Ireland favours a two-tier approach which would prohibit the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Our position is clearly outlined in the Programme for Government. The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Our EU membership makes us part of the growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements, supporting more opportunity for exports and investment, helping support jobs and growth at home, maintaining strict EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health,...