Results 41-60 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Written Answers — Medical Corps: Medical Corps (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 47 together. The PA Report assessed the current arrangements for the provision of medical services and proposed a model for future delivery of those services. The Consultants recommended a programme of major change. As recommended by PA, Working Groups have been set up to progress the various projects identified. These continue to meet regularly and...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Reserve Defence Force was selected for review as part of the 2009 – 2011 phase of the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review initiative and this review commenced in February 2010. A Steering Committee comprising representatives from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Finance is overseeing the Review. In accordance with revised guidelines for...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, like all areas of the public service, will operate on a reduced budget in 2011. The gross allocation in 2011 for Defence and Army Pensions combined is €933m, an overall reduction of 4% on the 2010 allocation. Investment in new equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces is normally provided for under various Subheads of the Defence...

Written Answers — Irish Red Cross: Irish Red Cross (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 58, 60 and 72 together. Proposals for reform of the governance of the Irish Red Cross Society arise from a resolution that was passed in November 2007 by the Council of Delegates of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) which urged all National Societies to examine and update their Statutes - the rules of the National...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: Civilian employees are based at various military installations in every brigade area. The application of the moratorium on recruitment in the public service has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of civilian employees. It is anticipated that there will be a further reduction in the size of the civilian employee workforce of up to 40 in 2011. This reduction will occur primarily...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 68 together. Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force. Government approval was secured in the context of Budget 2010 for a level of 10,000 all ranks. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special...

Written Answers — Severe Weather Events: Severe Weather Events (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: During the severe weather period, the Defence Forces conducted 708 operations and acceded to all requests for assistance from An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Local Authorities and other bodies such as the Blood Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, the Hospice Movement and Meals on Wheels. All operations in support of Aid to the Civil Authority ended on 13 December, 2010.

Written Answers — Irish Red Cross: Irish Red Cross (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Irish Red Cross Society is an independent statute based charitable organisation with full power to manage its own affairs. The annual grant in aid paid to the Society (currently €951,000) includes the Government's annual contribution (€130,000) to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The balance of the grant in aid is used towards the administration and running costs of the...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: Following a two-stage tender competition a contract has recently been awarded to the preferred bidder, Babcock Marine, for the provision of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Naval Service. Preparations for the construction of these new vessels have commenced and the first new vessel is scheduled for delivery in early 2014. The second vessel will follow one year later. The...

Written Answers — Irish Red Cross: Irish Red Cross (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Irish Red Cross Society was established by the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939 (S.I. No. 206/1939). The Order sets out the basis on which the Society shall be governed. I am satisfied that it is not appropriate for the Minister for Defence to be involved in the day to day running of the Society which is a body corporate and, in accordance with the existing legislation, is responsible...

Written Answers — Irish Red Cross: Irish Red Cross (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: The position in relation to correspondence received by my Office on the 2nd of November 2010 is that a response issued on the 25th of November last. I understand that the person in question has confirmed receipt of this letter.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Defence Forces hold a wide range of engineering and transport plant and equipment for military purposes. All such plant and equipment suitable for use in emergency and severe weather situations is made available as the need arises. The type of plant and equipment suitable for use includes a 40 tonne crane, heavy duty fork-lift, tracked and wheeled excavators, bulldozers, articulated...

Written Answers — Severe Weather Events: Severe Weather Events (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: During the severe weather period, the Defence Forces conducted 708 operations and acceded to all requests for assistance from An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Local Authorities and other bodies such as the Blood Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, the Hospice Movement and Meals on Wheels.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: I am advised by the Military authorities that 142 female personnel have been promoted in the Defence Forces between 1 January 2006 and 30 November 2010. A breakdown of this figure is provided in the following tabular statement. The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: Resulting from the Government Decision regarding the reduction of public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, recruitment, promotions and acting up appointments in the Permanent Defence Forces were suspended. However, in order to maintain the ongoing operational capability of the Defence Forces, a limited number of exceptions to the application of the...

Written Answers — Naval Service Operations: Naval Service Operations (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Naval Service provides the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. All eight Naval Service patrol vessels are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies. The Naval Service is committed to having at least...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: I am advised that military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government. The challenges of preparing military units for participation in international peace support operations constitute the major dimension of Defence Forces collective training. The...

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: Emergency planning is based on the 'lead department' principle. This means that each department is responsible for activating and managing the coordination of the response to those emergencies that impact on its areas of responsibility. In December 2008, the Government approved the document entitled 'Roles and Responsibilities in Emergency Planning'. This document, for the first time,...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Training: Defence Forces Training (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: Following the closure of the Army Apprentice School in 1998, and in order to ensure the availability of the requisite levels of technical skills in the Defence Forces, a Trainee Technician Scheme and an Apprentice Scheme were introduced. Personnel already serving in the Defence Forces enter the Trainee Technician Scheme while civilian personnel who join the Defence Forces to begin their...

Written Answers — National Emergency Plan: National Emergency Plan (15 Dec 2010)

Tony Killeen: The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are members of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. One of the ways in which the Defence Forces provide assistance in aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) is by providing assistance under the Framework For Major Emergency Management. There is no specific specialist training undertaken to provide this assistance but the broad range...