Results 1,661-1,680 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: There is, and there needs to be, a lot of interaction between the Air Corps and the Naval Service because they work together daily on maritime surveillance. When a CASA aircraft is in the air, those on board speak to the Naval Service and there is co-ordination in Haulbowline on fisheries protection observation. I do not know if Deputy Clarke has had a chance to visit the fisheries...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Investigations (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Gino Kenny for raising this question as it gives me an opportunity to put on the record of the House where we are in this regard. This is a very serious issue from my perspective that we are trying to deal with comprehensively. As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to ensuring every member of the Defence Forces is able to carry out his or her duties in a workplace...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 21 and 31 together. On 15 November, the Council of the European Union launched the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The aim of the mission, formally established on 17 October, is to enhance the military capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to allow them to defend Ukraine's territorial integrity...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I would like to thank the Deputy for affording me the opportunity to highlight the significant investments we have made in Defence Forces built infrastructure. In 2022, we provided a record level of investment to support and improve the building stock. We are going even further in 2023, with an allocation for next year of €55m, the biggest yearly allocation towards the building...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 51 together. The Deputy will appreciate that, for sound reasons, it is not the practice to comment on the security infrastructure in place for undersea cables nor would it be in the public interest to do so. The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The civil/military Joint Standing Committee on Medical Service Delivery is tasked with advancing the development of a sustainable, integrated medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces. As part of its work, it endeavours to review each key medical capability separately. The objective of each review is to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the most appropriate means of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 20 together. The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by the Government at that time and an extensive High Level Implementation Plan (HLIP) titled "Strengthening our Defence Forces” was also agreed and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: 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 be subject...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not been advised of any current operational requirements for the immediate extension of the runways at Casement Aerodrome. As such there is currently no project to extend the runways included in the Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan. To that end, I am satisfied the current infrastructure provision is sufficient to enable the Air Corp carry out it's current...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Technical Pay is graded from Group 1 to 6 based on the technical qualifications required to fill particular appointments in a wide variety of trade, technical and specialist appointments within the Defence Forces, with higher rates being paid for higher technical skills. As of 18 November 2022, there were 2,756 Enlisted Personnel in receipt of technical pay across the Army, Air Corps and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 50 together. The Government has previously acknowledged the recruitment and retention difficulties in the Naval Service. In response to these challenges, I approved a comprehensive Naval Service Regeneration Plan in 2021 which is being progressed and monitored by a high-level civil/military team. The aim of the Plan is to address the issues facing the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: All projects undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the Strengthening our Defence Forces Report under the High Level Implementation Plan, including Project V1 - Review of Pay Structures, have now been completed, or are being progressed as part of normal business. The Project Management Office (PMO) managing that process has been stood down. The Review...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces is able to carry out their duties in a workplace underpinned by dignity and equality. The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by me, following Government approval, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: 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 the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 37, 47 and 55 together. The military authorities have advised that there are currently 147 Aircraft Technician vacancies and a robust training pipeline with 64 apprentices currently in training.In 2021 a new Direct Entry recruitment competition was introduced to complement the existing apprenticeship recruitment stream and this resulted in 3 personnel, who...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces is able to carry out their duties in a workplace underpinned by dignity and equality. The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by me, following Government approval, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission in February. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy may be aware, absence without leave from the Defence Forces is a disciplinary matter provided for in Defence Forces Regulations and lies within the purview of the Chief of Staff. The Defence Act 1954 (as amended) provides the principle statutory basis for the Court-Martial system, which administers military justice in the Irish Defence Forces. The Court-Martial system provides a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: In response to the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, Government approved the commencement of work on 38 early actions which were identified in a High Level Action Plan that was published last July. One of the 38 early actions is to: “Commence planning for military radar capabilities, including primary radar”. I can confirm that work on this early action is underway...