Results 7,941-7,960 of 12,593 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Irish Red Cross: Irish Red Cross (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 25, 34 and 49 together. Although, I am aware of the magazine article to which the deputy refers I am restricted in the manner in which I may comment on its contents. As Minister for Defence, I have responsibility for enacting any legislation in respect of the Irish Red Cross Society. However, I have no function in the day-to-day administration of the Irish...

Written Answers — Air Accident Investigations: Air Accident Investigations (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 33 together. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere sympathy to the families and colleagues of Captain Derek Furniss and Cadet David Jevens who lost their lives in this tragic accident involving an Air Corps PC-9 in Cornamona, Co. Galway on the 12 October, 2009. The Preliminary Report into this fatal air accident was published by the Air...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: In the context of the production of the first White Paper on Defence (2000 - 2010), the issue of deploying the Air Corps assets on peace support operations was considered. It was decided that, given the resources of the Air Corps and the demands on their services at home, it would not be feasible for them to participate beyond the domestic environment. Individual members of the Air Corps will...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Properties: Defence Forces Properties (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: As the Deputy will be aware, a programme of rationalising and disposing of property which is surplus to the requirements of the Defence Forces has been on-going for a number of years. In that regard the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme noted that my Department has identified 33 properties for disposal. Any properties to be disposed of will take...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: While Naval Service vessels have a nominal lifespan of around 30 years, three ships in the current flotilla will have completed at least 34 years of service before they are likely to be replaced – namely LE Emer commissioned in 1978, LE Aoife commissioned in 1979 and LE Aisling commissioned in 1980. Naval Service vessels are required to operate in the harsh and unforgiving waters of the...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Supplementary welfare allowance provides a basic weekly allowance to eligible people who have little or no income. People with low incomes may also qualify for a weekly supplement payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme to meet certain special needs. The circumstances surrounding an application for supplementary welfare allowance and the payment of the allowance is a...

Written Answers — Hearing Impairment Claims: Hearing Impairment Claims (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: A total of 16,807 hearing loss claims have been received from current and former members of the Defence Forces in respect of loss of hearing allegedly caused during their military service. 16,139 claims have been disposed of to date. €288.7 million has been paid in respect of hearing loss claims including plaintiffs' legal costs of €100.2 million. The plaintiffs' legal costs include...

Written Answers — Army Operations: Army Operations (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with an Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering aid to the civil power, assist the Gardaí as required. Requests for aid to the civil power are normally made by a member of an Garda Síochána not below the rank of Inspector. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team respond when a...

Written Answers — Courts of Inquiry: Courts of Inquiry (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: A Formation Accident Investigation Team (FAIT) was established by the General Officer Commanding the Southern Brigade to investigate the incident. A FAIT is normally established in such situations like this to examine the incident from a health and safety viewpoint. The purpose of the investigation is primarily preventative, to discover causation and collect statistical data in order that...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 144 together. Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army (excluding Reserves) and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: A decision on the question of funding the procurement of a replacement vessel for Asgard II will be made in the context of finalising the Estimates for my Department for 2010. That process is on going and it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further on the matter at this stage.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence Forces do not operate a parcel post service to personnel serving on overseas missions. In most cases families and friends are able to use the existing postal service of An Post to send parcels to troops serving overseas. However, because of the remoteness of the location of Irish troops serving with the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT),...

Written Answers — Internet Security: Internet Security (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Cyber security, cyber crime and internet security represent challenges that are constantly evolving and require vigilance and appropriate responses. Cyber security is multi facetted. The nature of the threat and the potential impact also varies considerably depending on the approach and objective of those with malicious intent. In the first instance, each State agency, business and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Operations: Defence Forces Operations (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The number of cash in transit escorts provided by the Defence Forces in 2008 was 2,210. The level of contributions by the Banks in respect of the costs incurred by the Defence Forces in the provision of Cash Escorts is subject to the agreement I concluded with the IBF and the member Banks in 2005. The banks are charged for their proportion of the total escorts provided i.e. approx. 78%. The...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Contingents of the Permanent Defence Force served in Chad between February 2008 and March 2009 with the EU-led mission in Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR Tchad/RCA. During this period, helicopter support was provided by EUFOR aviation assets. In addition, two helicopters were contracted by my Department in June 2008 to provide both operational and logistical support to the...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: Consideration is continuing in each Government Department with regard to their respective contributions to a comprehensive programme for the Centenary of the Rising. I expect that a draft programme in this regard will be submitted to Government next year for their consideration and also circulated at that time to the Oireachtas Consultation Group. In the interim, certain specific...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Properties: Defence Forces Properties (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence property portfolio is kept under ongoing review by my Department to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. This includes ongoing review of the organisation, structure and formation of the forces and the consequential requirement for military barracks and other properties. The funding realised...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Properties: Defence Forces Properties (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Defence property portfolio consists of a diverse range of facilities from conventional military barracks to forts, camps, dwelling houses and training lands. The principal assets are 23 permanently occupied barracks. The Department also owns 26 premises that are used by the Reserve Defence Forces. A further 51 properties are rented for use by the Reserve. The property portfolio also...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: The Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative is overseen by the Value for Money and Policy Review Central Steering Committee. Government Department's are required to submit review topics for inclusion in a rolling programme of Value for Money Reviews. The Department of Defence reviews approved by Government for inclusion in the 2009 – 2011 round of Value for Money and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (19 Nov 2009)

Willie O'Dea: I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Reserve Defence Force as at 31 October, 2009 was 6,853, comprising Army 6,560, and Naval Service 293. In the context of the Government Decision on the implementation of savings measures on public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, all recruitment to the RDF was suspended earlier this year....