Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress of refurbishment works at Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, County Louth and Gormanston Camp, County Meath in line with the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme 2020-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46838/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. This year’s budget allocation of €37m made available to the Defence Forces represents a significant increase over previous years and is the highest level allocated since the economic crash in 2008/09.

The following capital projects are included in the Infrastructure Development Plan for progression in respect of the locations referenced by the Deputy:

Dundalk Aikens Barracks

- Central Heating Boiler Decentralisation - A Main Contractor is expected to be appointed shortly.

- Dining Hall Upgrade – the design process is scheduled to commence in 2022 with the appointment of a consultant design team with construction scheduled for commencement in 2024.

-Transport Workshops Upgrade - identified for commencement in the coming years.

Gormanston Camp

- Upgrade to NDA Range - Contractor is currently on site with works expected to be completed shortly.

- Dining Hall Upgrade - the design process is scheduled to commence in 2022 with the appointment of a consultant design team with construction scheduled for commencement in 2025.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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115. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the future plans for Custume Barracks, Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45794/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Plan provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a rolling five year timeframe and is designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities of the Defence Forces. 

The commitment to the ongoing operation of Custume Barracks, Athlone, has been reaffirmed with the recent completion of the new Dining Hall complex.  It was recognised that there was a need to refurbish and upgrade the Dining Hall for the purpose of providing a modern kitchen and dining facility to accommodate all ranks stationed at the Barracks. The main works contract, valued at €4.1m, was awarded in October 2018 and work was completed in 2020.  The facility is now fully operational and the upgrade and refurbishment ensures the long-term viability of the complex at the Barracks.

The Built Infrastructure Plan recognises the need for the development of a permanent EAS hangar and associated helicopter facilities at Custume Barracks.  The development of strategic infrastructure of this nature will be progressed further as the Plan is implemented.   

Custume Barracks is and will continue to be an important operational military barracks. There are no plans to change this.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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116. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has apologised to a person (details supplied) for the failure to address their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47132/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that WRC rulings are in the public domain and will be also aware that the Adjudicator in his December 2020 ruling on two complaints brought by the individual, upheld one complaint on the grounds of gender discrimination in relation to promotion, owing to the treatment of absences in terms of access to promotion contrary to S.8 (1) of the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015.  The Adjudicator found that the Minister did not discriminate against the Complainant, and did not victimise her, within the meaning of S.2, S. 6(1) and S. 74 (2) of the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 as alleged in the individual's second complaint.

The directions of the ruling are currently being implemented by the military authorities with a view to ensuring that all of the training programmes and materials for Defence Forces personnel are fully aligned, and compatible with, the provisions of the relevant equality legislation and that follow-on actions will be progressed. A  Defence Forces Working Group is established comprising membership from the Defence Forces HR, Legal and Training & Education HQ Branches as well as representatives from the Defence Forces Formations.  The Working Group has had 12 plenary meetings to date in addition to meetings of sub-groups. Progress is continuing in line with the timelines set out in the ruling which will be fully complied with.

The complainant has ongoing active litigation in a number of fora, and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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117. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the 4th Independent Monitoring Group for the Defence Forces which should have been initiated in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47118/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, there have been three Reports from the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG) since the publication of the Report in 2002 of the External Advisory Committee on the Defence Forces, ‘The Challenge of the Workplace’.

Whilst progress has been made in the interim years in terms of measures and systems now in place in the Defence Forces to address any allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace including discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying, it is recognised that further work needs to be done. 

Extensive discussions between the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff have been taking place over several months on next steps for the IMG process and what that would encompass. It was considered that a “back to basics” Independent Review is required at this stage. On that basis the IMG is to be set aside.

I wish to emphasise  that the Independent Review will be undertaken by external and independent experts  and will examine the effectiveness of current policies and procedures dealing with workplace issues such as dignity, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and discrimination.  

The terms of the Independent Review currently remain under consideration and are being informed by stakeholder engagement.