Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 17: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of civil servants in his Department with a breakdown of their functions and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19427/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The total number of Civil Servants in my Department is 385 (whole time equivalents). An outline of the functions and responsibilities of the various branches of the Department is set out as follows.

Minister's Office

The number of civil servants in this Office is 11.8.

The Office of the Minister of State

The number of civil servants in this Office is 2.

The Secretary General & Management Advisory Committee

The number of civil servants is 5.

International Security and Defence Policy Branch

International Security and Defence Policy Branch has 19.4 civil servants and is responsible for policy and administrative functions in relation to formulation and development of defence inputs to International Security and Defence Policy, the service of members of the Permanent Defence Force overseas with UN–led and UN–mandated missions, with the EU, with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to which the permanent Defence Forces contribute. Six staff members are based in Brussels.

Defence Forces Personnel Policy Branch

Defence Forces Personnel Policy Branch has 6.4 civil servants and is responsible for policy analysis and monitoring of human resource policy implementation in the Defence Forces. The Branch also liaises with the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces.

Litigation Branch

Litigation Branch has 14.4 civil servants and has responsibility for policy and management of civil legal claims arising from accidents or injuries to members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees, and civilians injured in road traffic accidents involving military vehicles. The Branch also manages judicial reviews involving the Minister and the Department.

Contracts Branch

Contracts Branch has 6.5 civil servants who provide a procurement function in relation to defensive equipment, building and engineering services and materials and certain Naval Service and Air Corps equipment and maintenance services.

Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration Branch

Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration Branch has 12 civil servants and is responsible for the administration of a Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) and for the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA).

Legislation Branch

Legislation Branch has 7 civil servants and is responsible for managing the Department's legislative function.

Executive Branch

Executive Branch has 10 civil servants and has policy and administrative functions in relation to many aspects of the roles performed by the Defence Forces, such as Air Corps and Naval Service involvement in air/sea rescue, provision of the Ministerial Air Transport Service, Naval service operations, including its involvement in marine protection and control, the Army Equitation School and domestic security including the provision of aid to the civil power (ATCP) by the Defence Forces.

Finance Branch

Finance Branch and Internal Audit Section has 143 civil servants and provides finance, accounting, payments and payroll services for the Department and Defence Forces. The Branch also administers all military pensions, legislation and schemes.

Internal Audit Section

Internal Audit has 13.5 civil servants and provides internal audit for the Department and the Defence Forces.

Human Resources Branch

Human Resources Branch has 80 civil servants and manages the HR function, Decentralisation, Accommodation, Training & Development for the Department and the Defence Forces' civilian employees. Service Officers, cleaners and other support staff are included in the staff of HR Branch.

Information Systems Branch

Information Systems Branch has 22 civil servants and provides Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services to the Department.

Office of Emergency Planning

The Office of Emergency Planning co-ordinates emergency planning across all Departments and public authorities involved in emergency planning. The Office has a staff of four (4) civil servants and two (2) military officers.

Planning and Organisation Branch

Planning and Organisation Branch has 7 civil servants and its function is to support the ongoing modernisation of the Department and the Defence Forces and to assist senior management and the Branches in implementing the modernisation agenda. It also manages the Department's Press and Information Office.

Property Management Branch

Property Management Branch has 21 civil servants and is responsible for managing the Department's property portfolio.