Results 7,861-7,880 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus remains deeply troubling and Ireland continues to seek a peaceful solution that is inclusive and democratic. The Belarusian people continue to make a dignified and resilient stand in defence of the principle that they alone have the right to determine their political leaders. Joint action through the EU and with other partners is the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Foreign Births Registration Section has now resumed the processing of applications. Foreign Births Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation related to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. At present, it takes between 12 to 18 months to process an application to completion. The Foreign Births...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Pension Provisions (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The position is that the pension terms for new entrants who join the Permanent Defence Force after April 2004 are provided for under legislation.  The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 provides for pension terms for new entrants after April 2004 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, provides for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Contracts (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The primary focus for the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence is to maintain the capability of the Irish Defence Forces to fulfil the roles as assigned by Government. This includes undertaking overseas Peace Support Operations, and in this regard to afford the greatest possible force protection to Irish troops whilst on such missions. The principle of competitive...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy has been previously informed, over three years ago Property Management Branch of my Department became aware that soil had been deposited at the lands referred to in the absence of the appropriate consent or sanction from the Department.  As my Department is engaged in legal correspondence with Kildare County Council on the matter the Deputy will appreciate...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government is aware of the long standing desire of PDFORRA to become either affiliated to, or take up associate membership of, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.  This matter requires detailed consideration as it raises significant challenges including the risk of impinging on the military chain of command. Defence management (civil and military)...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Honours (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Offices (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department strictly adheres to the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, including the associated Regulations which provide for the protection of mothers who are breastfeeding. My Department has offices in Newbridge, Galway, Roscrea and Dublin.  On request, suitable facilities are provided for breastfeeding in the workplace. These arrangements are in place to support a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy, and we consistently raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most effective and appropriate channels. This commitment to human rights will consistently inform and underpin our approach on the Security Council, and we will continue to champion human rights through all appropriate multilateral fora,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. The demolition of Palestinian homes, and demolition or seizure of related structures such as water tanks, wells, solar panels, schools and animal housing, are cruel and unjust actions. This is of particular concern when those structures confiscated or demolished are donor-funded. The only possible conclusion we can draw from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Working Family Payment (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Working Family Payment is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size. The payments are administered by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The table below contains details provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The administration of Career Breaks or Special Leave Without Pay and Allowances, is provided for by Defence Force Regulation A11, Paragraph 36. The Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) determines the granting of such leave, which is subject to the exigencies of the service. Members of the Defence Forces may be granted no more than two career breaks over the course of their service in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Allowances (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Public Sector Pay Policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, having regard to Public Service agreements conducted through central negotiations. The allocation for Military Service Allowance is included within the Permanent Defence Force Pay allocation of the Defence Vote. Military Service Allowance is paid to all ranks from Private up to the level of Colonel. In...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Public Sector Pay Policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, having regard to Public Service agreements conducted through central negotiations. The allocation for Technical Pay is included within the Permanent Defence Force Pay allocation of the Defence Vote. Technical Pay is a weekly allowance paid at different rates to certain, qualified enlisted personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: 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: Defence Forces Reserve (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ensuring an appropriate balance between voluntary activities and work and home life is a key challenge that is common to individuals involved in many voluntary activities throughout the State. In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve service therefore, and to maximise attendance of Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) members, I am advised by the Military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Income tax is deducted by the Department of Defence from the pay of members of the Reserve Defence Force when they are on paid attendance and it is paid over to the Revenue Commissioners in accordance with the usual rules governing such matters. The amount of tax deducted in 2019 was some €0.45m. In relation to 2020, the amount deducted to end-Sept was some €0.2m. (The amounts...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Expenditure in relation to the Naval Service is drawn from a range of different subheads from across the Defence Vote and is not broken down on the basis of personnel numbers per ship or for the flotilla as a whole. At present, the establishment for the Naval Service flotilla comprises 469 personnel out of a total Naval Service establishment of 1,094. Providing for increased numbers,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am advised that the relevant Department of Finance Circular pertaining to Leave for attendance at training with the Reserve Defence Force, is Circular 51 of 1979. This circular, as the Deputy will be aware, outlines the provisions for leave arrangements by Civil Servants who attend Reserve Defence Force training. Any proposals to amend this circular, and increasing leave for Civil...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (15 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The provision of local authority, social and/or affordable housing is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. The provision of married quarters to serving personnel is no longer provided. There has been a long standing established policy since the late 1990's to withdraw from the provision of housing quarters for Defence Forces...