Results 10,681-10,700 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 642 together. The conditions for entry to the Permanent Defence Force, including the maximum age limits of applicants, are subject to ongoing review and modification having regard to the needs of the organisation, the development of best practices and, as required, reviews of national and international comparators.  Currently, such conditions...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 634 together. The following table details the current strength and establishment of the Permanent Defence Force, as of the 30 November 2022. - Current Strength (WTE) Agreed Strength Permanent Defence Force 8,049 9,500 Army 6,531 7,520 Air Corps...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 12 January 2023, is 749 wholetime equivalent personnel. The table below shows the breakdown requested: Personnel Stream Strength as at 12/01/2023 Qualified pilots 96 Cadets currently completing military training* 14 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: 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 a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. In terms of fishery protection the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 637 to 639, inclusive, together. As at 30th November 2022, 28 of the 569 female Permanent Defence Force personnel were serving overseas. The requested breakdown of the total female strength of 569, by rank, is as follows: OFFICER LT GEN MAJ GEN BRIG GEN COL LT COL COMDT CAPT LT ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF. The White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve and the Government remains fully committed to this. The strength of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 30 November 2022, the effective female strength of the RDF is 199 members. In line with current policies and commitments, a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, working in the Defence Forces is a demanding career which places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals, exposing them to a unique range of challenging environments. In these circumstances, it is vital that the health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised. Candidates applying...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy may be aware, working in the Defence Forces is a demanding career which places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals, exposing them to a unique range of challenging environments. In these circumstances, it is vital that the health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised. Candidates...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The payment is not subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Military Authorities have informed me that an applicant to a Defence Forces Cadetship, who is assessed to have not met the medical requirements/standards, can appeal the original finding to another Defence Forces Medical Officer. The reviewing Medical Officer will review the original finding and provide their professional medical opinion, be it that the original medical finding/assessment...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am informed by the military authorities that no Naval Service personnel attended any specialist military training in the United States in 2022. Six (6) Air Corps personnel attended pilot flight training in Alabama and Florida with the United States Air Force from November 2021 until June 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Military life places unique demands on individuals and it is necessary that Defence Forces personnel are prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations. To this end, it is vital the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised in any way. For this reason compulsory retirement ages for ranks in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Peter Burke was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Defence on 21 December 2022 to act as a member of the Council of Defence. Under Section 11 of the Defence Act 1954, there is a requirement that a Council of Defence shall stand established. The section also provides that the Minister of State at the Department of Defence shall be a member of the Council. As such,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I wish to advise the Deputy, that I have not availed of media training from any organisation or persons from January 1, 2021, to this date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper 2015.The Plan is iterative in nature thus ensuring that it remains relevant and that investment is targeted where most needed. A midterm review of the Plan was recently completed by my Department and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: The table below outlines the number of applications and inductions under the Naval Service direct entry schemes, by Officer and Other Ranks, for each year from 2019 to 2022: Naval Service 2019 2020 2021 2022 Officer- Applications 82 73 76 85 Officer - Inductions 2 1 0 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commemorative Plaques (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am advised by the military authorities that arrangements are in train to replace the plaque bearing a misspelling at the National Memorial to members of the Defence Forces who died in the service of the State, which is located in Merrion Square, Dublin. When the matter was originally brought to my Department's attention in 2021, the replacement of the plaque was scheduled to coincide...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, working in the Defence Forces is a demanding career which places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals, exposing them to a unique range of challenging environments. In these circumstances, it is vital that the health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised. Candidates applying...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (18 Jan 2023)

Micheál Martin: As previously indicated, the majority of the site in question is not under the ownership of the Department of Defence, but rather that of a third-party; with the Department retaining a holding on the site of approximately 1 Hectare of the overall 10 Hectare site. While no approach has been made by the Local Authority in relation to a transfer, my Department has no objection in principle...