Results 6,741-6,760 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Medical Services (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the Defence Forces are fully aware of the importance of providing he robust supports required by personnel for whatever reason. A range of medical and non-medical services are available to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are medically fit to undertake the duties assigned to them and to treat any medical condition that may arise. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Since its establishment in 1974, UNDOF has been a successful mission in supporting the efforts of the international community both in the Golan Heights and in the Middle East region. A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) since 2013. Following significant events in August 2014 in the area of separation,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As of 01 October 2018, Ireland is contributing 616 personnel to 9 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 353 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 128 personnel and the Naval Service EU Naval Mission...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 68 and 70 together. As I have already stated, 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 so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government both at home and overseas. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Appropriate investment in Defence capabilities is an essential component of a coherent defence policy. It is necessary to invest in equipment and infrastructure as well as personnel. In this context, approximately 72% of the Defence Vote 36 budget relates to pay and pensions and the balance relates to current expenditure for running costs and capital expenditure. An increase in the pay...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 73 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Contracts (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As I have previously informed the House, a Government Decision dated 18 November 2016 approved the drafting of the Heads of Bill to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. This will remove the blanket exclusion of An Garda Síochána and members of the Defence Forces from its range and will be subject to the application of the appropriate exclusions and/or derogations...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The 2015 White Paper on Defence commits to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. The whole time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force for the end of September is estimated at 9,000 personnel which includes the 95th Cadet Class of 85 recruits which was inducted on the 24th...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: 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 Medicinal Products (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As of 1 October 2018, Ireland is contributing 616 personnel to 9 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), the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria and EU Naval Mission EUNAVFORMED (Operation Sophia). An additional deployment of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Strength (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 79 together. As the Deputy may be aware, 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. To this end, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has a Service Level Agreement with the Department of Defence. This is intended...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Retirements (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Given the unique and demanding nature of military life, it is understandable that there is a relatively high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. This is not a new phenomenon and the Permanent Defence Force has always had a level of turnover that exceeds other areas of the public service. This is a feature of military organisations worldwide and is not unique to Ireland. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Similar to other areas of the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced during the financial crisis. The recovery in the economy has afforded the opportunity for the Government to begin the restoration of pay to all public servants. Defence Forces pay is continuing to increase in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Review (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda for the next ten years. As a subset of the totality of the work being carried out to implement the White Paper, nearly 90 actions or projects were specifically identified. The extract on page 73 (Chapter 7) of the White Paper, to which the Deputy refers, does not relate to an individual review but rather encompasses the 29 White Paper...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Curragh Plains Representative Forum (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As the Deputy will be aware, both the Department of Defence and Kildare County Council are members of the Curragh Forum which was established in March 2016 and provides "stakeholders with an opportunity for the consideration / progress of a wide range of issues regarding the use, management and long term development of the Curragh Plains". My Department met with Kildare County Council on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Strength (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As with other areas of the public service, challenges have arisen in relation to the recruitment and retention of personnel in particular areas of expertise. The loss of experienced personnel is driven by a range of factors, including the availability of attractive job opportunities in the wider economy. The Air Corps is experiencing a shortage of trained Air Traffic Control (ATC)...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Service Pay Commission (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 82 together. The Public Service Pay Commission was established to provide objective advice to Government in relation to Public Service remuneration policy. In 2017, under my direction, the Department of Defence brought issues of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces to the attention of the Public Sector Pay Commission (PSPC). As a direct...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Promotions (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence Forces are an inclusive, equal opportunity organisation that encourages participation of women at all levels. All promotion competitions are open to female members of the Naval Service and, while no female personnel have been promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in the Naval Service to date, female Petty Officers have competed in the competitions. Such competitions are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: There are significant recruitment opportunities available in the Permanent Defence Force, at both enlisted and officer level, for eligible individuals who wish to have a rewarding and positive career in service to the State. General service recruitment campaigns, an officer cadetship competition, a competition for Air Corps apprentices and a competition for instrumentalists in the DF School...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (3 Oct 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Defence Forces continue to offer excellent career prospects with opportunities for lifelong learning and self development for new and serving members. Similar to other sectors in the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced as one of the measures to assist in stabilising national finances during the financial crisis. Pay is being restored to...