Results 6,481-6,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 290 together. The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (whole time equivalent), as at 31st March 2021 (the latest data available), was 8,524 personnel comprised of: - Army 6,885 - Air Corps 739 - Naval Service 900 The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the...

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

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon and covers all aspects of defence within overall security policy. Since publication of the White Paper, a total of 95 separate projects have been identified for completion over a ten-year period. To provide flexibility, projects may be sub-divided or merged, changing the top-line number. Project and...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland's participation in PESCO was agreed by Government and approved by Dáil Éireann prior to the Council Decision establishing PESCO on 11 December 2017. Of the 47 projects that have since launched, Ireland is a Participant in one PESCO project (Greek-led Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance) and also has Observer status on a further nine PESCO projects including the Military...

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

Simon Coveney: The procurement of goods, services and works in my Department and by the Defence Forces is carried out in accordance with public procurement policies and national and European laws. Procurement procedures are kept under constant review to ensure that they are line with best practice, guidance and the legal framework. This includes the incorporation of social clauses including environmental...

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

Simon Coveney: The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely; Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 295, 296 and 297 together. It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 31st March 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 8,524 Whole Time Equivalent...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 285 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The resources available to the Defence Forces to carry out their operational...

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

Simon Coveney: Since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue (SAR) services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain. The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) fall under the remit of the Minister for Transport. From within the Defence Organisation, both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to IRCG in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286, 287 and 288 together. The Government has fully acknowledged the recruitment and retention issues which have impacted operational capacity of the Defence Forces over recent years. In response, a range of actions have been progressed to address these issues. The report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on retention and recruitment in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (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. The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon...

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

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning Defence that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme including; - The establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces. - Support for the establishment of centres for retired members of the Defence Forces. - Development of a new Institute for Peace Support and...

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

Simon Coveney: The table below outlines total number of vacancies that existed in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31st March 2021, the latest date for which such information is available, broken down into the three Branches: Total Army Naval Service Air Corps Lieutenant Colonel 2 4 - - ...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable them to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of...

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

Simon Coveney: The Army Pensions Acts 1923-1980 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Registration of Births (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications has been temporarily paused as a result of COVID-19 related restrictions. Prior to this pause, it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This was due to pressures on the FBR service, the complex nature of FBR applications, the high volume of applications due to Brexit as well as the impact of COVID-19...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that the Embassy of Ireland in Bangkok is providing all possible consular advice and support to the citizen, including in relation to his welfare as well as regarding local requirements in terms of visa and immigration procedures. As the Deputy will be aware, restrictions on travel to Ireland in the context of COVID-19 are a matter for the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 135, inclusive, together. The Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”. During Level 5 restrictions, the Passport Service processed more than 40,000 or just over one third of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Asylum Seekers (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have consistently ensured that Ireland voices its support for EU efforts to put in place more effective and humane arrangements to manage the migratory pressures which the EU continues to face. The EU Commission’s “New Pact on Migration and Asylum” represents an opportunity to renew efforts to put in place such arrangements. Discussions on the Pact are continuing within...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (12 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: India's health system continues to battle the surging caseload in the country. Further to an earlier donation of 700 oxygen concentrators, the Government has donated a further 500 concentrators, 2 oxygen generators, and other vital materials to India. This additional donation arrived in Delhi Airport on Tuesday 4 May. These donations formed part of the coordinated effort by EU Member...