Results 7,441-7,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: 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. The Defence Forces continue to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including security operations, critical supports to An Garda Síochána (Aid to Civil Power - ATCP), as well as Aid to Civil Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: A review of technical pay in the Defence Forces was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The purpose of the review in the context of the agreement was to rationalise existing technical pay arrangements and consider if the requirements could be met in a more cost effective manner. A review of Technical Pay Group 1 was conducted in 2014 and came into...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: It was not possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the timeframe available. As soon as it is complete, I will provide the Deputy with the requested information directly.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: A recruitment campaign for the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) was opened in spring of this year. However, the restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic have had a significant impact on certain Defence Forces activities, leading to difficulties in conducting inductions and training, including for the Reserve Defence Force...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and Reserve Defence Force (RDF) recruitment plans for 2021 have not yet been finalised. PDF and RDF recruitment plans will be informed by a review of the 2020 campaign and taking the COVID situation into account.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: It has not been possible to respond to this question in the turnaround time for PQs. The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Vote Group is comprised of Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence). On an annual basis, pay and other savings arising within subheads across the Votes have, with the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and in accordance with Government Accounting Procedures, been used to address spending pressures across the Vote Group. This approach has facilitated...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic have had a significant impact on certain Defence Forces activities, leading to difficulties in conducting inductions and training for Defence Forces. Notwithstanding this, as at 31stOctober 2020, the military authorities have advised that there were 449 personnel inducted into the Permanent...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The administration of Career Breaks or Special Leave Without Pay and Allowances (SLWPA), is provided for in Defence Forces Regulation A11. The Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) determines the granting of such leave, which is subject to the exigencies of the service. I am advised by Military Authorities that as of 31 October 2020, there are a total of 74 Defence Forces personnel currently...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The administration of Career Breaks or Special Leave Without Pay and Allowances (SLWPA), is provided for in Defence Forces Regulation A11. A career break may be granted for the purposes of domestic responsibilities, further education or travel abroad, for periods of not less than six months and not more than five years. A career break may also be granted for the purposes of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 359 together. A review of recruitment practices and processes in the Permanent Defence Force, mandated under the High Level Implementation Plan Arising from Public Service Pay Commission report, has examined all aspects of the recruitment process as part of its work. The Review Group established in this regard was chaired by an external HR adviser and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Remuneration for individual members of the Permanent Defence Force is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance (MSA). The pay structures and conditions of service of members of the Permanent Defence Force also contain professional and technical remuneration...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Expenditure (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The provision of mental health services within the Defence Forces is a demand driven aspect of the overall provision of health services and, as with all other disciplines, is not subject to a separate financial provision. A range of mental health services are provided and these include psychiatry, psychology, personnel support services, general health provision, external referrals and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s current national cyber security strategy was published in December 2019 and follows on from the country's first Strategy which was issued in 2015 and for which the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has the lead role. Officials of my Department and members of the Defence Forces are actively involved in the implementation of the new Strategy. In...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not requested any additional funding from the EU for the Naval Service in the context of Brexit. However, my Department does apply for appropriate EU funding opportunities in support of the Defence Forces as and when they arise. My Department has secured approval in principle for EU funding available under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government recognises the importance of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in contributing to Ireland's defence capability. The 2015 White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF. The RDF is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve The FLR consists of former trained members of the PDF...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Data (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that a total of 328 members of the Permanent Defence Force have availed of Paternity Leave to date in 2020. This figure includes 9 personnel who commenced their Paternity Leave in December 2019. The statutory provisions for Paternity Leave, as provided for in the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016, are available to all eligible members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Training (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: The military authorities have advised that the projected training timelines for personnel to achieve their Military Pilots Wings is, on average, 36 months. This encompasses all aspects of training from induction to graduation including 10 months military training in the Cadet School. There are currently 89 qualified pilots in the Air Corps with an additional 28 personnel at various stages of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Issues (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 368 together. The European Peace Facility was proposed by High Representative and Vice President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, in 2018 with the aim of providing the EU with a single off-budget financing mechanism of up to €5 billion (€5.7billion in current prices) for the period of the next MFF, 2021 to 2027, and would...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (1 Dec 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 366 together. Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a process under which groups of Member States can come together to develop capabilities in support of Common CSDP Operations. On a voluntary basis, 25 EU Member States, including Ireland, have joined PESCO and subscribed to more binding commitments to invest, plan, develop and operate...