Results 9,281-9,300 of 12,646 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Value for Money Review of Clothing Procurement in the Defence Forces was published in September 2007. This review has identified potential for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the clothing storage and distribution system. An implementation group, tasked with drawing up a detailed implementation plan has been established. The anticipated improvement in inventory turnover ratios...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Value for Money Review of the usage of military training land is currently being progressed and is scheduled for completion by the end of December 2008. As the review group have not completed their deliberations, I cannot comment on any potential value for money improvements that may arise.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table: Date Total Employed Number Without Office Space/ Work Station 30 June 2008 *424 NIL *This figure represents the total number of officers serving in my Department, including those officers who are worksharing, those who are in temporary employment and those who are working on a contract basis.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Property: Defence Forces Property (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 781 and 782 together. When demolition of the steelworks at Haulbowline commenced in the summer of 2005, it was agreed by all interested parties that dust monitoring equipment be installed on the Naval Base. The monitoring equipment selected and installed in two locations on the Base was as follows: 1. Bergerhoff dust deposition gauges: These record on a...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The relevant bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, Coiste an Asgard and the Army Pensions Board. The estimated administrative costs of each agency for 2008 is outlined in the following table: Agency Name Estimated Administrative Costs in 2008 â'¬ Civil Defence Board 1,740,000 Coiste an Asgard 124,884 Army Pensions Board 111,000

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The salary levels of all staff in my Department exceed the minimum wage.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (8 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined as follows: 2002 — A Report on The Nature and Extent of any Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in The Defence Forces was commissioned (the 'Doyle Report'). The report was drawn up under the aegis of a Group chaired by Dr. Eileen Doyle. The Group also included civil servants from the Department of Defence as...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A Working Group, comprising civil and military representatives, was established in July 2004 to review the Department's existing property portfolio, taking account of White Paper implementation, the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force and current military requirements, and to make recommendations accordingly. All properties within my Department's property portfolio were considered by...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In general terms, medals are currently awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as their length of service, for service overseas and for acts of bravery associated with such service both at home and overseas. Members who serve overseas, subject to certain criteria, are currently eligible for the award of the UN Peacekeepers Medal. This medal is only...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputy will be aware that the Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin-based civil service staff, together with a number of military personnel, to Newbridge, Co. Kildare and the transfer of Defence Force Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. Approximately 83% of clerical/administrative staff are now in place in preparation for the move to...

Written Answers — Efficiency Reviews: Efficiency Reviews (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In line with the Budget 2008 announcement, my Department has engaged in the efficiency review exercise with a view to identifying possible savings on administrative spending. The issues arising on foot of this exercise are currently being considered in the context of preparation of the 2009 estimates.

Written Answers — Hazardous Waste: Hazardous Waste (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for the remediation of the former ISPAT site. In view of the concerns being raised about the site, my Department has instructed a contractor to conduct soil and air analysis. This analysis is independent of any other analysis being carried out. There are a number of air monitors at the Naval base that were put...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A total of seven members of staff of the Department of Defence have received support to participate in postgraduate educational courses in the years 2004 to 2008. This figure includes one member of staff whose course is in progress.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Ombudsman: Defence Forces Ombudsman (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 98, 105, 123 and 133 together. I welcome the second annual report of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces covering the period January 2007 to December 2007. This is a further milestone in the development of the Office which became operational on the 1st December 2005 and which itself represented a significant development in the modernisation of the...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 95 together. An order for two (2) man portable mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems, commonly referred to as UAVs, was placed with Aeronautics Defence Systems Limited from Israel, in May 2007. The value of the order was in the region of €780,000, inclusive of VAT. The award of the contract followed on from a two stage tender competition in which eight...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The current projected figure for recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force in 2008 is in the region of 690 general service recruits, comprising 540 Army recruits, 120 Naval Service recruits and 30 Air Corps recruits. In addition in the region of 30 apprentices will be recruited. The number of cadets to be recruited is currently under consideration and is expected to be in the region of 45....

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, a publicity and awareness campaign to promote recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces is being prepared. The campaign is likely to include advertising in print, broadcast media and via the Internet. A Request for Tender issued in March 2008. A preferred tenderer has been identified and the terms of contract are currently being...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Responsibility for the approval of overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft lies with my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In relation to civil aircraft the responsibility lies with my colleague the Minister for Transport. I am advised that 38 foreign military planes have landed at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel to date in 2008. The purposes of these visits involved...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A number of ceremonies were held last Thursday, 26th June, in barracks across the country and at overseas missions commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ireland's involvement in peacekeeping operations. I attended the ceremony held in McKee barracks in Dublin which featured a military parade consisting of members of the Army, the Air Corps, the Naval Service, the Organisation of National...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Jul 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Since January 2008, the number of Defence Forces personnel who have operated abroad, on training exercises and courses and operational duties is set out as follows: Desktop Training Exercises: 45; Training Courses:176; Operational Duties: 1,123 tours of operational duty have been initiated since January 2008. Of these, 311 tours have been completed.