Written answers

Tuesday, 30 May 2006

Department of Defence

Departmental Bodies

8:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 599: To ask the Minister for Defence the public bodies under the control of his Department; their function, role, location and establishment date; the administration costs of each body in the year 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20477/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Details in relation to the public bodies under the aegis of my Department are as follows. In addition to these bodies, the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces as provided for under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 was established with effect from 31 August 2005. Ms Paulyn Marrinan Quinn SC was appointed by the President as the first Ombudsman for the Defence Forces with effect from the 19 September 2005.

The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is independent in the performance of her functions. The Ombudsman provides an ultimate and independent statutory point of appeal for all members of the Defence Forces within the context of the military 'redress of wrongs' grievance process. In general terms, the Ombudsman has the power to investigate complaints made to her in respect of actions and decisions which date from 1 December 2005 onwards, subject only to a few limited categories of exclusion as provided for in the legislation. The statutory functions and powers of the Office were commenced with effect from 1 December 2005.

The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is temporarily located at The Distillery Building, 145/151 Church Street, Dublin 7. The administration costs associated with the Office in 2005 were €13,000.

Public Bodies under the Aegis of the Department of Defence
Public Body: Coiste an Asgard
Function: To maintain the sail training vessel ''Asgard II'' in a safe and seaworthy state.
To provide salaries, wages, stipends or other remuneration arising from employment of any person for the purposes of an Coiste.
To do all such other things deemed incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects.
Role: To promote the training of young Irish men and women in sailing and seamanship
Location: Coláiste Caoimhín, St. Mobhi Road, Dublin 9
Establishment Date: Coiste an Asgard was established in 1968 and was incorporated under the Companies Acts on 16 February 1987.
Administration Costs 2005: €460,000 (includes salaries and expenses of 5 permanent crew and relief crew, salaries of office staff and expenses of directors)
Public Body: Civil Defence Board
Function: To promote and support the development at national level of Civil Defence planning and management and, in co-operation with Local Authorities, to facilitate the implementation of Civil Defence measures for the purposes of emergency relief and support.
To promote, develop and maintain Civil Defence as an effective voluntary service in support of the emergency services.
To promote the role of Civil Defence in providing services, in support of the emergency services, to the local community and, for that purpose, to develop programmes to enhance those services.
Role: To promote, develop and maintain Civil Defence as an effective volunteer based professional organisation providing emergency response and community support services.
Location: Benamore, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Establishment Date: 7 May 2003
Administration Costs 2005: €1.304 million
Public Body: Army Pensions Board
Function/Role: To investigate and report to me on applications for wound and disability pensions and certain allowances under the Army Pensions Acts, 1923 to 1980 and on applications for compensation under the non-statutory compensation scheme for members of the Reserve Defence Force.
Location: St. Bricin's Hospital, Dublin 7.
Establishment Date: 30 April 1927
Administration Costs 2005: €97,000 approx.

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