Results 301-320 of 840,738 for "section:" . (isset($hansardmajors[$1]["title"]) ? $hansardmajors[$z[1]]["title"] : "$z[1]") OR "section:" . (isset($hansardmajors[$1]["title"]) ? $hansardmajors[$z[1]]["title"] : "$z[1]") speaker:Paschal Donohoe
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: The Deputy said at the time that no more than 12 people would apply for re-enlistment but, instead, we have over 600 people. I should also say that more than 30 officers have an interest in coming back into the Defence Forces and I am awaiting a recommendation from the Chief of Staff on that. As I said, I expect I will have a list of recommended candidates for re-enlistment from the Chief...
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister of State for confirming that the number is zero and that not a single member of the Defence Forces has been re-enlisted through this scheme in the last ten weeks. I also point out there is no projected date for the first person to be enlisted. I want to confirm as well, and people will be very happy to check the record-----
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: As I said, next week I will have a full list of people who want to come back into the Defence Forces, as recommended by the Chief of Staff. Yesterday, it was confirmed by the Chief of Staff that I would have it next week.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: After six months training, a new soldier earns €28,685. More can be done. I am the first to recognise that there are challenges.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister of State. We must move on.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: Like every other member of the public service, members of the Defence Forces are regaining-----
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I call Deputy Paul Murphy.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Murphy: From day one, members of the Defence Forces have got stuck in to help fight the impacts of this pandemic. They have transported PPE, helped with testing and tracing and much more besides. Like retail workers, cleaners and other essential workers, they have worked throughout the crisis, in many instances putting their health and lives and those of their families at risk in order to keep...
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: That will be a matter for the next Government to decide. I never stated that discussions had concluded. Had they concluded, I would have brought a recommendation to the Government. Unfortunately, we did not reach a point whereby I could bring a memorandum to the Government regarding whether we recommended the extension of trade union rights. As I stated in reply to Deputy Sherlock,...
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Murphy: I stated that that was the case at the start of the year.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: There are varying circumstances surrounding why a person would be in receipt of the working family payment. A three-star private who has passed out earns between €28,685 and €39,583 and might be single or in a relationship with one, two three or four children. If the latter is the case, that person may qualify for the working family payment, as do many other people.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Murphy: I have another specific question I wish to ask the Minister of State.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: The Deputy can ask his question when I have finished answering this one.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Murphy: If the Minister of State keeps answering it, I will not have time to ask another.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: The Deputy asked me a very simple question. I gave him the opportunity to ask a question and I wish to have the opportunity to answer it. A three-star private earns between-----
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Murphy: I wish to ask about the 116th Battalion. The Minister of State is aware of this issue. Will its members received their full six months' overseas allowance in order that they will not end up out of pocket as a result of Covid-19?
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: I answered that question earlier. Several claims have been submitted to my Department on a range of issues. We will work with the representative associations and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on those issues. The Deputy raised the issue of pay. A three-star private starts off on €28,685. That can rise to €39,583. A corporal is on between €38,786 and...
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Paul Kehoe: I am very much in favour of airlift capacity. It would be brilliant to have it. As the Deputy knows, however, it costs a great deal of money. I would be supportive of any Government proposing to buy that capacity. I am delighted to be able to say that during my tenure in the Department we have been able to invest some €265 million in aircraft for the Air Corps. On the pay of...
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Perhaps the Minister of State could respond to the Deputy in writing because we are running out of time for Deputy Paul Murphy.
- Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)
Cian O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister of State for his response. My concern relates to the retention problem in the Defence Forces, morale issues and issues over pay and conditions. It was notable that the Taoiseach was giving consideration to this level of expenditure and yet we do not see the same movement in addressing issues such as pay. I agree with previous comments that it is very important that the...