Results 7,681-7,700 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 263 together. The following table details the total number of personnel who discharged from the Permanent Defence Forces in each of the years 2017 to 2023 (as at 30thApril): Year 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023* Total Discharges 742 740 882...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Military Authorities have advised that the number of persons medically discharged or retired from the Defence Forces in each of the years 2017 to date, is as follows: Year Number of Medical Discharges/Retirements 2017 27 2018 29 2019 10 2020 27 2021 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The table below gives details of the age profile, in cohorts of 5 year increments, for persons currently in receipt of a military pension. The data provided relates to pensions arising from service in the Defence Forces which are payable under the following schemes;occupational service pensions under the Defence Forces Superannuation Schemesdisability pensions under the Army Pensions Acts...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Pensions for former members of the Defence Forces are governed by the provisions of the Defence Forces Superannuation Schemes for service pensions, and the Army Pensions Acts for disability pensions. Unfortunately, it is not possible to quantify fully the number of personnel who are in receipt of a pension and who were retired or received a medical discharge on the basis of being Below...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My Department engages on an ongoing basis with these Veterans Associations and with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Costings for additional numbers must be subject to a detailed workforce planning exercise that needs to consider rank and organisational structure, technical qualifications, allowances, etc and align with the move to LOA2. In that context, and commensurate with the associated levels of organisational and structural change required, final, definitive costings are currently not available. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 255, 266 and 267 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The core crew complement for the current classes of Naval Service vessels are:P50 Class – 44P60 Class – 44P70 Class – 20 Minimum crewing levels are dependent on the number of available personnel at each grade and for each specialist position that is required for a ship go to sea while meeting minimum health and safety requirements. Should any ship be below the minimum...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: In July 2022, the Government approved a move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces. As part of that decision, the Government committed to increasing the Defence budget from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion at 2022 prices, by 2028, as part of the annual budgetary process. This level of investment will allow for the required...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. The Defence Forces Armoured Personnel Carrier fleet consists of 80 vehicles which are in use at home and overseas. Within the fleet of 80 vehicles, there are a number of different types: Standard VariantCommand Variant Close Reconnaissance...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing. The programme includes radar and other equipment upgrades along with the replacement of Naval Service Reserve motor launches. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of LÉ Róisín has been completed, while works are ongoing on LÉ Niamh. Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The development of a primary radar capability was one of the key recommendations made in last year's report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. Demonstrating the Government’s commitment to implementing this recommendation, one of the Early Actions identified in the subsequent High Level Action Plan published in response to the Commission’s report, was to commence planning...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: In terms of cybersecurity, the primary role of the Defence Forces relates to the defence and security of their own networks and systems. This important role is being developed in the context of the High Level Action Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and will grow in importance as threats in the cyber space increase. The recommendation by the Commission on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: Vote 36 Defence is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Accordingly, my Department does not allocate funding by domain. The principal demand drivers of Defence capital requirements are the ongoing acquisition and renewal of military equipment, along with the development and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. Four new ships were delivered as part of the Naval Service Ship Replacement Programme, under the Samuel Beckett class, all were built by Babcock Marine in the United Kingdom. The contract with Babcock for the provision of the Samuel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Data Protection (13 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department places a high priority on information security and cyber defence. In line with best practice and guidance from Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre, my Department has implemented a defence-in-depth cybersecurity strategy that includes people, processes and market leading technologies to mitigate the risk of cyber breach as effectively as possible. In addition,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: All passport applications are subject to the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act”). The 2008 Act requires that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit a complete application form with supporting documents positively confirming to the satisfaction of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Jun 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.