Results 6,661-6,680 of 9,158 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: What are the Minister of State’s priorities for the Reserve Defence Forces in 2019? During his tenure, he has said little about the Reserve Defence Force. There has been a recruitment problem which has been outlined by the Reserve itself. What are his plans to address the diminishing numbers in the Reserve?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Medical Services (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: There is a new strategic HR unit within the Department of Defence. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that if one advertises for a position at half the salary being offered by the HSE, there will not be any applications. There have been no applications for many of the vacant positions within the HSE. Has the Minister of State asked the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: 6. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the working time directive will be implemented for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1861/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: I ask the Taoiseach and the Minister for Defence when the working time directive will be implemented for members of the Defence Forces and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: Late last year, we learned how a shortage of officers in the Defence Forces resulted in bomb disposal experts and marine engineers having to work 70 hours and 65 hours a week, respectively, without any overtime, and a survey carried out by RACO highlighted the Government's total disregard for implementing the directive, which would cap their working week at 48 hours. Germany, Britain and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: The reason I asked the question about the representative associations is that PDFORRA stated that it saw more of the Department's officials in the courts than at negotiation meetings. There is a concern that the Department is more concerned with the High Court cases than with honouring and addressing this issue in a meaningful way. PDFORRA states that, as of late June 2018, departmental...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: That is what PDFORRA said.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: I also subscribe to the view that personnel must be physically and psychologically fit to meet the challenges of the job. The Minister of State has outlined another review based on a previous review. An international comparison shows that in Malta, the age limit is 55 years; Finland, 55; Belgium, 56; Cyprus, 52; and Australia, 60. Many personnel in their thirties who must make large...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: They also have expertise.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: 3. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a review of the 1994 contracts for members of the Defence Forces is to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2191/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: A very worrying scenario may occur in the next 12 months unless we update the policy position relating to this matter.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Contracts (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: At PDFORRA conference's in 2017, the Minister of State undertook to review the terms of the 1994 contracts. He needs to clarify what he has done in the interim. There is a strong belief that more subjective criteria are needed for the retention of personnel. Members should be retained on capacity not age. I agree that in terms of operational capabilities, the various strata must be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: The Minister of State's language is interesting. I welcome the fact that he has said he will facilitate the direct engagement of the Chief of Staff and military management and I hope he will do so. In autumn of last year, he said that a joint submission had been made. Now he is referring to a joint submission in December. In his initial remarks he also referred to the Department of Public...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: 1. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Defence Forces management will be engaging directly with the Public Service Pay Commission in relation to recruitment and retention issues; if it is planned to filter engagement via his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2190/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: Will Defence Forces management, in particular the Chief of Staff, be allowed to engage directly with the Public Service Pay Commission, PSPC, on recruitment and retention issues or is it intended to filter engagement through the Department of Defence? As the Minister of State knows, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett has said he wants to engage directly. I would welcome clarity on whether the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: I will outline the timeline. Late last year, the Minister of State told me that both parties had signed off on a jointly agreed detailed submission to the PSPC. Today, he has told me that, if there is engagement in writing, military management may be allowed to engage with the PSPC. That is welcome. Since the Minister of State's remark that a joint submission had been made, the Chief of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: 19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces will achieve their establishment strength of 9,500 during 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1859/19]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: 28. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to claims that shortages of officers in the Defence Forces have resulted in bomb disposal experts and marine engineers having to work 65 and 70 hours a week, respectively, without overtime; the measures being taken to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1862/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: 141. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the planned relocation of the Rotunda Hospital to Connolly Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2090/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Expenditure (17 Jan 2019)

Jack Chambers: 144. To ask the Minister for Health the overall cost annually to the HSE for treating illnesses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2105/19]