Results 5,401-5,420 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (Whole Time Equivalent), at 31 May 2019 was 8,751 personnel. The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015). There are a number of factors, some of which are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Review (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together. As of 31st May 2019 the strength of the Reserve is as follows: First Line Reserve: 290 personnel Army Reserve: 1577 personnel Naval Service Reserve: 124 personnel I am very much aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment of the AR and NSR, which provides for 4,069...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Meetings (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The close working relationship between myself, the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff is a key ingredient to the effective management of all aspects of defence and one upon which I put particular emphasis. In this context, the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff have access to me individually and jointly in the conduct of their respective roles. In the normal course of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence Forces CIS Corps personnel participate in a range of training and education courses with recognised academic institutions. The CIS Corps personnel also participate in a number of military and civilian cyber exercises with approved partners. From an operational and security perspective it would be inappropriate to comment further on the cyber and network security capabilities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Expenditure (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The last Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) was undertaken in 2014 and covered the period 2015 - 2017. A new approach to reviewing Government expenditure was announced in 2017 in advance of Budget 2018, Minister Donohoe at the time stated "This year’s spending review will examine a significant portion of the expenditure base for each department, with the remaining current...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 66, 94 and 95 together. Statistics are currently being collated in order to provide a comprehensive response to these questions. Full data is not available in the timeframe set out for reply as the validation of some data requires a manual search of records which is being undertaken at the moment. I will revert once the relevant data is provided to me.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Review (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 68, 72, 74 to 76, inclusive, and 86 together. I welcome the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) latest report and the recommendations, observations and comments contained therein. The recommendations within the report have been distilled into specific actions, applying corresponding timeframes, within an approved High Level Implementation Plan.Work has...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Formulation of recruitment plans by the Defence Forces is underpinned by their training capacity and their efforts to maximise that capacity. The military authorities have advised that analysis is carried out to ascertain the instructor requirements for recruit induction training while taking account of existing operational commitments. The military authorities have further advised that it...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Strength (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As provided in the White Paper on Defence (2015), the Air Corps provide a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role and also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis. I can assure the Deputy, that the Air Corps will continue to provide support and services on an 'as available' basis, having regard to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Strength (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I have previously outlined particular challenges with vacancies in certain specialist posts such as Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers and certain Technicians. These specialists can prove difficult to retain where, as in the current economic circumstances, there are on-going private sector and commercial semi-state sector job opportunities. At its meeting held on the 4th July 2019, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Staff (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: Last Friday, I received a full briefing from Military Management, including senior Naval Service personnel, about ongoing issues in the Naval Service. At the briefing it was reconfirmed that LÉ Eithne and LÉ Orla are in dock for planned maintenance and repair. During this period, the Flag Officer has used the opportunity to move personnel from these vessels to others. This is a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: As the Deputy will be aware, the Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going  agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.  While the main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cyber Security Protocols (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: My Department places a high priority on information security and cyber defence.  In line with best practice and guidance from Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is located in the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment, my Department has implemented a defence-in-depth cybersecurity strategy that includes people, processes and market...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Living Wage (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The information as requested by the Deputy is not immediately available, but is being compiled and will be sent to the Deputy at the earliest opportunity.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: The concerns raised by some members of the Defence Forces regarding difficulties in casting their votes in recent elections are being addressed by way of a review. A key component of this review is liaison with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, who are responsible for the register of electors. A meeting has taken place recently between the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 99 and 101 together. Naval Service ships are required to complete drydock maintenance, survey and inspection, twice during each ship five (5) year cycle. An intermediate drydock is carried out between two and a half (2.5) and three (3) years. A full drydock is carried out at five (5) years. Naval Service ships which are beyond their originally...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I am informed by the military authorities that the Defence Forces Networks are monitored on a 24 hour basis. Staffing numbers involved in this area cannot be disclosed for operational and security reasons. It would be inappropriate to comment further on the cyber and network capabilities of the Defence Forces other than to say that there is on-going and continued development of these...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Review (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together. Ireland’s relations with NATO are set within the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and Partnership for Peace (PfP), including its Planning and Review Process (PARP). The primary aim of Ireland's PfP participation is to enhance the Defence Forces’ interoperability with other professional military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Service Pay Commission Reports (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: At its meeting held on 4th July 2019, the Government accepted, in full, the report of the Public Service Pay Commission on recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force.  The report contains a broad range of recommendations to deal with the recruitment and retention challenges in the Permanent Defence Force. The Government also agreed an extensive implementation plan for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (11 Jul 2019)

Paul Kehoe: My Department does not receive staged or incremental payments in the manner referenced in this question, however, certain individual receipts processed through normal financial or payroll channels are received as Appropriation’s-in-Aid throughout the year. Examples of Appropriation’s-in-Aid received in the Defence Vote would include the following; - Receipts from Occupation...