Results 6,441-6,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Post Office building in the Defence Forces Training Centre, which was a feature of the military installation for many years, was closed in July 2019. My Department was not involved in the decision to discontinue its use as a Post Office. As this building is within an active military installation, its long term use will be determined first and foremost by the military authorities. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) submitted a claim to the Conciliation Council on the 23rd April, 2020. This claim had sought the payment of Military Service Allowance (MSA) to Cadets when deployed on contact tracing duties in support of the HSE during the COVID-19 crisis. The matter went to third party adjudication and the hearing took place on 17 February...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 57 together. As at 31st March 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, was 8,524 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). I have acknowledged in the past that there are on-going...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Council Meetings (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 27 together. I attended the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Defence Ministers’ configuration on the 6th of May where there were three main items on the Agenda including Current Affairs (updates on the Sahel, Mozambique and Ukraine), a discussion on the Crisis Management pillar of the Strategic Compass, and a lunch meeting with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: All members of the Defence Forces, Permanent and Reserve, have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. These unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces. I urge anyone who has any complaint which they think constitutes a criminal offence to report...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Defence Agency (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Mr Jirí Šedivý was appointed Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (EDA) on 5th March 2020. In his role as Chief Executive Mr Šedivý has regular dialogue with the participating Member States of the EDA. Mr Šedivý is currently hosting a series of bilateral meetings with Military Representatives and Defence Policy Directors from all member...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: There is a long standing and ongoing tradition of Naval Service Ships using Dún Laoghaire Pier and Harbour both for shelter and shore leave. The Naval Service also make use of the harbour for training by the Naval Service Reserve. The Flag Ship LÉ Eithne is twinned with Dún Laoghaire as a part of the Naval Service Fleet Adopted Ports. The Commissioning Ceremony of LÉ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The COVID-19 vaccine Allocation Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and the Department of Health, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020 (updated 30 April 2021). It sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Defence Forces has established vaccine prioritisation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Unlike other areas of the Public Service and due to the nature of the duties performed, overtime payments are not available to members of the Defence Forces and comparisons with other areas of the Public Service must be cognisant of the unique role, structure, duties and working conditions of service which are particular to military personnel. In that regard a Military Service Allowance,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware it is a long standing policy that long term residential married quarters are no longer provided. I am advised that there are seventy three vacant buildings in total and they are located as follows Barracks Location Inside Barracks Outside Barracks Total Fort Templebreedy Cork 1 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. In respect of Collins Barracks, two significant capital works projects are provided for in the Infrastructure Development Plan, namely the provision...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The response by my Department to the Covid-19 pandemic has involved Permanent Defence Force personnel, Civil Servants, Civilian Employees, members of the Reserve and Civil Defence Volunteers and has amounted to expenditure of some €18.2 million, to date. Expenditure was incurred across a range of areas and included €5.2 million towards the acquisition of a new PC-12...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Public sector pension policy is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Section 52(4) of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 provides for the granting of a waiver of abatement where the particular skills, training or experience required for a specific position are such that those skills, training or experience cannot be met other than...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provided for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The associations that have since been established are RACO (for commissioned officers) and PDFORRA (for enlisted personnel). The scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 53 together. It has been a long-standing policy, to discontinue the historic provision of tied housing to DF personnel. This policy of discontinuing housing provision was introduced for the Defence Forces in the late 1990's. It is not intended to reverse this long-standing policy. The provision of housing is a matter for the Minister for Housing,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe The following capital projects are included in the Infrastructure Development Plan for progression in respect of the locations referenced by the Deputy:...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Question Heading (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: As of 10 May 2021, Ireland is contributing 561 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 338 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 133 personnel.Ireland also contributes observers and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Vaccination Programme (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 46 together. Whilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the absence of the concept of ‘supplementary pensions’ from the provisions of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. The occupational pension scheme terms of post-1 January 2013 new entrants to the public service, including the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), are governed by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Memoranda of Understanding (13 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I held an introductory telephone conversation with the current UK Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, MP in July of last year where areas of mutual interest covered by the UK-IRL Memorandum of Understanding on aspects of defence cooperation were the main focus of our discussion. We both recognise the value of the work undertaken to-date under the agreement, share a desire to...