Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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345. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there are plans to issue an award or medal, similar to that awarded to HSE National Ambulance Service personnel, as a small token to members of the Civil Defence for their tireless and entirely voluntarily contribution to the State's Covid-19 response.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33557/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Civil Defence is a volunteer based organisation which supports the frontline emergency services. It operates in partnership between the Department of Defence and Local Authorities throughout Ireland.

The Government acknowledges the exceptional service given by Civil Defence volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Civil Defence have been, and continues to be, a core part of the emergency response structures within each Local Authority for the past 70 years.  Civil Defence volunteers have contributed so much to their communities since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Department of Defence issues awards to recognise volunteers with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years’ service in Civil Defence.  These awards recognise the service of Civil Defence volunteers and their contribution to their communities.

We are now in the early stages of the Recovery phase of the pandemic and the National Vaccination Programme is well advanced.  Currently the focus remains on dealing with the ongoing Recovery phase, however officials in the Department of Defence will give due consideration to an appropriate recognition for the service given by so many volunteers in Civil Defence during the COVID-19 pandemic.