Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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427. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number and location of Civil Defence units currently operating from temporary accommodation; his plans to provide permanent accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46818/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Civil Defence operates on a partnership basis between the Department of Defence and the local authorities. Civil Defence policy is set down by the Minister for Defence through the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence and Civil Defence services are delivered at local level by the relevant Local Authority.

The 2015 White Paper on Defence states that it is the responsibility of each Local Authority to provide suitable accommodation for their Civil Defence Unit. Most Local Authorities have provided high quality accommodation for their Units. For example, I recently had the pleasure of opening a new headquarters for Clare Civil Defence in Ennis. I note that both Meath and Monaghan County Councils have recently completed major new building projects for their Civil Defence Units. The Department of Defence provided some funding for each of these projects and, subject to budgetary constraints, is willing to support similar projects in other local authority areas.

I am aware that further improvements in accommodation for Civil Defence units are required in a small number of Local Authorities. Officials in the Department of Defence are in contact with a number of Local Authorities in this regard. While the Department of Defence is willing to assist, the provision of suitable accommodation for Civil Defence Units is ultimately a matter for each Local Authority.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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428. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason behind not meeting with those involved in a documentary (details supplied) until after it had aired given that it has been reported requests were made of him at an earlier stage. [46825/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There has been considerable interaction between my officials and some of the women who participated in the documentary mentioned before the documentary aired. This took the form of written correspondence, phone calls and a meeting between an individual and officials.

All requests for meetings in person are considered within the circumstances pertaining to individual cases.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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429. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there has been any contact between his Department and RTÉ following the release of a documentary (details supplied); and if so, the purpose of same. [46826/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that following the broadcast of the Documentary a representative from my Department contacted RTÉ for the purpose of providing Departmental contact details to the Women of Honour.

As a result of this contact, an initial meeting subsequently took place between the Secretary General of my Department and the Women of Honour last week and I am scheduled to meet with them today.