Results 6,841-6,860 of 17,012 for speaker:Paul Kehoe

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Staff (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 10 together. I have been advised by the military authorities that the figures provided in Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 12thJuly 2018, do not include the following: - those on leave prior to discharge, - transfers to the Army, - transfers to the First Line Reserve. The military authorities have advised that, as at 01 August 2018 there were...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Staff (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Military life places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals and, given the rigours of military life, there is understandably a relatively high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. This is not new 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Pensions (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Department of Defence is responsible for the dissemination of information regarding the terms and conditions of all Defence Forces Pensions Schemes, including the relevant Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension Schemes. Booklets setting out the terms and conditions of the Schemes, including the Spouses and Children's Pensions, are available from the Pensions...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: In accordance with the White Paper on Defence, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces recently commenced work on the first of a three yearly cycle of defence reviews. The current review, which does not include an open consultation process, will consider developments since the publication of the White Paper in 2015 and will examine overall progress on its implementation, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Medals (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: As I advised the Deputy in my reply to PQ21815/18 on 17th May 2018, there are no plans to award the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal to former members of the Defence Forces.  Since the foundation of the State many thousands of personnel have served in the Defence Forces.  It would not be administratively possible within the resources of the Department to identify and contact...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together. I am informed by the military authorities that After Action Reviews are conducted following the completion of all courses in the Defence Forces, including recruit and Cadet training, as a constituent part of the organisation’s Lessons Learned policy. The aim of the Defence Forces Lessons Learned policy is to promote organisational...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 17, inclusive, together. The conditions for entry to and service in the Permanent Defence Force, including the methodologies used for assessments, are subject to continuous review and modification having regard to the needs of the organisation and the development of best practices. Psychometric testing and colour vision testing continue to form...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: In his 2016 Annual Report, the then Ombudsman for the Defence Forces recommended a review of the Defence Act, 1954 and the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004, in light of the experience gained by his Office since its establishment in 2005. Among the issues raised in this regard, was a suggestion regarding the establishment of appropriate investigation arrangements with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman Complaints (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together. Since 2013, my Department provides the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces with a quarterly progress report on outstanding systemic issues highlighted by the Ombudsman in his or her final reports. The most recent of these was prepared in October 2017 for discussion with the Office of the Defence Forces Ombudsman and at that time the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman Complaints (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established under the provisions of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 and provides both serving and former members of the Defence Forces with an impartial and independent review of their grievances. Under the provisions of the Act, the Ombudsman may conduct an independent investigation into an action that is the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Pesticide Use (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I am advised by the Defence Forces that they have no records available on the use of pesticides at camps during overseas missions in each of the years 2008 to 2017. In respect of 2018 to date, there is a record of one pesticide being used in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).  This is a herbicide (chemical weed killer) currently in use for vegetation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Allowances (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Unlike other areas of the Public Service and due to the nature of the duties performed, overtime or shift allowance are not available to members of the Defence Forces. In its place a weekly Military Service Allowance (MSA) is paid to all ranks up to the level of Colonel. Military Service Allowance is designed to compensate for the special conditions associated with military life. These...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. On each occasion that the support of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: In responding to Parliamentary Question No. 39 of 3 July 2018, based on advice I had received from the Defence Forces, I stated that “in the course of the event in question on 5 August 2015 involving the LE Niamh, no wristbands were applied to persons rescued by personnel on LE Niamh. I am also advised that the Naval Service cannot stand over the provenance of the photograph used in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Medals (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Programme for Government provided for the award of the 1916 Commemorative medal to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This was a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who served during the centenary year of 2016. There are no plans however to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The first White Paper on Defence was published in February 2000. This was an important milestone that recognised the requirement for a coherent and clearly articulated Defence policy. In addition to confirming the roles of the Defence Forces and providing a policy framework, it set out specific recommendations for change, re-organisation and investment throughout the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Communications (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: The Department of Defence and the organisations under its aegis have no 1800, 1850 or phone numbers that are completely free to call. We have four 1890 numbers – two for contacting the Department’s offices, one for contacting the Office of Emergency Planning and one for contacting the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. The 1890 numbers are listed on the contact pages of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: Infrastructure projects are undertaken at military installations as part of the ongoing Defence Forces Built Infrastructure programme.  The programme is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces.  The programme is implemented by the Department on a priority needs basis in consultation with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Museums (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I can advise the Deputy that the Defence Forces have carried out an investigation into the origins and provenance of this military artefact. As the Deputy will be aware the cannon in question has been in the possession of the Defence Forces for over sixty years and was previously on display in Devoy Barracks, Naas. In 1998 the Minister for Defence wrote to Naas Urban District Council...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (7 Sep 2018)

Paul Kehoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 36 together. Amongst other pay adjustments, the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, provided for a 5% reduction in fixed rate allowances payable to public servants in receipt of basic pay not exceeding €125,000. In this regard, certain Defence Forces allowances were reduced by 5% with effect from 1 January...