Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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117. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of open cases the State Claims Agency is handling in respect of the Air Corps, its staff and former staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53027/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the State Claims Agency that its reports indicate that currently the Agency is managing 21 active compensation claims in respect of the Air Corps where it is alleged that a staff member is the injured party.

Given that litigation is ongoing, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further in relation to these claims.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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118. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of claims settled between the State Claims Agency in respect of serving and former members of the Defence Forces by amount, year and section of the Defence Forces that the member was assigned to in the past ten years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53053/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The matter is receiving attention and I will revert to the Deputy in respect of the information requested in due course.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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119. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the State Claims Agency supplied the Health and Safety Authority with copies of its audits and or reports regarding the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53026/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the State Claims Agency that it does not provide reports of Health and Safety Management System Audits conducted by the Agency in Delegated State Authorities (including the Defence Forces) to the Health and Safety Authority. I am advised that these are provided to the Delegated State Authorities only.

With regard to the Air Corps, the Deputy will be aware that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), following a number of inspections in 2016, issued a Report of Inspection to the Air Corps on 21st October 2016, listing a number of matters requiring attention which included the areas of risk assessment.

The Air Corps as a consequence of this HSA report have implemented an improvement plan which is being conducted over eight phases. Seven of the eight phases have now been fully completed. The final phase is a continuous ongoing process. The implementation plan focuses on a number of areas, including risk assessment.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the health and welfare of the Defence Forces personnel is a high priority for me and the military authorities.