Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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88. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding a service medal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [6261/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Civil Defence is a volunteer based organisation and it is important to honour those who have given such dedicated service over many years.

Long Service Medals were first introduced in Civil Defence in 1997 for members who had given 10 and 20 years of continuous service to the organisation. As Civil Defence is now over 60 years old it was decided last year to introduce Long Service Medals to recognise those who have given 30, 40 and even 50 years of continuous service to the organisation.

The Minister of State at the Department, Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D., presented the first of these medals at a ceremony in Dublin Castle last November. For those eligible Volunteers who were unable to attend at Dublin Castle to receive their medals, local presentation ceremonies are being organised.

Volunteers are recruited into Civil Defence through their local authority. My Department has been in contact with Wicklow County Council to request that they examine their records to establish the number of year’s service the individual in question has given to Civil Defence. When these investigations are complete the Civil Defence Officer for Wicklow will make contact with the individual regarding the awarding of an appropriate Long Service Medal to him.