Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 467: To ask the Minister for Defence the terms of reference, functions and purpose of Coiste as Asgard; if the agency is still operational; the reason these functions cannot be carried out by his Department; the benefits to the Irish tax-payer gained from the work of the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35024/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The original Coiste an Asgard was first formed in 1968 and is now a company limited by guarantee set up under the Companies Acts in February 1987. The Minister for Defence is, ex-officio, the chairman of the board of directors and he may appoint up to 14 other directors. No fees are payable to the directors but they may be paid travel and subsistence expenses at civil service rates.

The basic purpose of Coiste an Asgard is to promote the training of young people over the age of 16 in sailing and seamanship, particularly by the use of the sail training vessel Asgard II. Sail training cruises were carried out on the original "Asgard" each year from 1969 to 1974. Because of her historical associations "Asgard" was transferred to Kilmainham Jail Historical Museum in 1979. Her replacement, the brigantine "Asgard II", was designed specially for sail training purposes and commissioned in March 1981.

Asgard II carries out a programme of cruises each year during the course of which she visits many ports in Ireland and the rest of Europe. The duration of each cruise is usually about 7 to 10 days. She has a professional crew of five – Captain, Mate, Bosun, Engineer and Cook. Relief crews are also employed as required. She has the capacity to take 20 trainees.

The secretary to an Coiste is a Higher Executive Officer on secondment from the Department of Defence. An Coiste employs two other administrative/clerical staff. The office of an Coiste is located within the Department of Defence. Coiste an Asgard receives an annual grant-in-aid (lottery funded), which is supplemented by fees paid by the trainees. The grant was €879,000 in 2007.

Given the specific nature of the work they undertake I am satisfied that the Board undertakes an essential role and provides good value for money to the State.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Defence the terms of reference, functions and purpose of the Army Pensions Board; if the agency is still operational; the reason these functions cannot be carried out by his Department; the benefits to the Irish taxpayer gained from the work of the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35025/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Army Pensions Board was established as an independent statutory body under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The Board consists of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners, one of them an army medial officer and the other a civilian. Secretarial and support services are provided to the Board by two civil servants of the Department of Defence. The total cost of the fees and expenses of the chairman and the ordinary civilian member and of the salaries of the two civil servants is estimated at €107,000 in 2007.

The principal function of the Board under the Army Pensions Acts is to investigate applications for pensions, allowances and gratuities arising from the death or disablement of members of the Defence Forces in the course of their military service. The Board determines the question of attributability to service; assesses the degree of disability in cases of disablement; and reports its findings to the Minister for Defence. Civil servants of the Department have delegated authority from the Minister to grant appropriate benefits on the basis of the findings of the Board.

I am satisfied that the Board undertakes an essential role in the determination of entitlement to benefits under the Army Pensions Acts and provides good value for money to the State.