Written answers

Tuesday, 9 May 2006

Department of Defence

National Emergency Plan

9:00 pm

Photo of Shane McEnteeShane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount of funding allocated to the Office of Emergency Planning by his Department on a yearly basis since 2002 and 2005 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17112/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Emergency Planning was established, following a Government decision in October 2001, as a joint civil and military Office within my Department. The Office supports the work of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair, and continues to work with Government Departments and other public authorities in order to ensure the best possible use of resources and compatibility between different planning requirements. There is no specific budgetary allocation for the Office of Emergency Planning as the funding for the Office is included in the Defence Vote.

The lead responsibility for specific emergency planning functions remains with the relevant Government Departments, as do budgetary, exercise programmes and resource management requirements. Emergency plans are co-ordinated by the various lead Government Departments at a national level and through the Local Authorities, including the Fire Service, the Health Service Executive and the Garda Divisions at local and regional levels.

A key area of activity for the Office of Emergency Planning is oversight of emergency planning; to refine and develop the arrangements that exist, to continuously improve them through review and revision, and to generally provide the basis for an increased confidence in the emergency planning process.

An Inter-Departmental Working Group (IDWG) on Emergency Planning supports the work of the Task Force and carries out studies and oversight of emergency planning structures and processes. The IDWG encompasses all Departments with lead roles in the various Government emergency plans and those key Public Authorities, which plan to support such activities. This Working Group, under the guidance of the Government Task Force, continues to meet and is chaired by the Office of Emergency Planning. It is a forum for developing strategic guidance to all those involved in emergency planning and for sharing information on emergency planning.

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