Results 6,501-6,520 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I wish to state at the outset that the health and wellbeing of our Defence Forces is of the highest priority for me. The provision of a comprehensive range of medical services to ensure this is an issue to which the highest importance is attached, both in the Defence Forces and in my Department. There are currently 4 Dental Officers, 5 Pharmacists, 1 Clinical Psychologist and 6 Nurses...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence Forces are committed to gender equality and employ a gender perspective in all policies and regulations. The Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan promotes diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities for all members of the Organisation. Unlike some military organisations, the Defence Forces have no restrictions with regard to the assignment of men or...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 88 together. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department met with Kildare County Council in September to discuss both the challenges facing the Department in the management of the Curragh Plains and their vision paper relating to the future of the Plains. I am advised that one of the key outcomes from the meeting was the need to develop a joint...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Staff (21 Nov 2018)

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 tasks. I want to pay...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides that the Public Service Pay Commission will conduct a comprehensive examination and analysis of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in those sectors and employment streams identified in the Commission's Report of May 2017. The Commission's approach to Phase 2 of its work can be found on its website, which includes...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Expenditure (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The total allocation for the Defence Sector in 2019 is €994 million, an increase of €47.5 million on the 2018 provision. This allocation emphasises the importance attached by the Government to ensuring that the Defence Forces have the capabilities necessary to deliver on all the roles assigned by Government. The Defence Vote has been increased by €37.5 million to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As of 01 November 2018, Ireland is contributing 565 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 347 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) provides an established mechanism for the PDF representative associations, that is PDFORRA (the representative association for enlisted personnel) and RACO (the representative association for commissioned officers) to engage with the Official side. Having regard to commitments made under public...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Expenditure (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: With regard to defence spending, Government policy is defined within the parameters of our national budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann. Within the EU, it is accepted that defence and security is a national competence, including national spending on defence and security. As part of Ireland's participation in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), Ireland has committed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Permanent Structured Cooperation has no implications for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality. The establishment of PESCO represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. Under PESCO, Member States will come together in different groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Government remains committed to achieving the strength target of at least 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015). There are a number of factors, some of which are hard to predict, which will impact on the timeframe within which this will be achieved. Recruitment has continued in 2018 with the running of two General Service...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 103 and 107 together. The following table sets out the current strength (as of 31 October 2018, the latest date for which figures are available from the Defence Forces) in whole time equivalent of the PDF across all services and ranks. Service Strength (WTE) Establishment Army 7,236 7,520 Air Corps 709 886 Naval Service 993 1,094 The Government...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The primary function of training and education 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 and education under four broad categories namely; Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I presume the Deputy is referring to the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve in his question. Members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve are volunteers who undertake training in their spare time. In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve Service and to maximise attendance of Reserve personnel, training continues to be organised both in and out of normal...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment priorities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As of 31 October 2018,  the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at just under 9,000 personnel.  Of this some 583 personnel, were female, broken down as follows: - Army: 484 Female Personnel - Air Corps: 32 Female Personnel - Naval Service: 67 Female Personnel The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Planning (21 Nov 2018)

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 to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.  In relation to equipment, priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions Data (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As of 01 November 2018, Ireland is contributing 565 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations.  The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 347 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The total gross budget allocation for the Defence and Army Pensions Votes in 2018 is over €946 million. This allocation provides for the pay and allowances of over 10,400 public service employees (including 9,500 members of the Permanent Defence Force), ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs and also facilitates investment in essential equipment and infrastructure. It...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Search and Rescue Service Provision (21 Nov 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non security related tasks. With reference to Search and Rescue, since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue region. Both the Naval Service...