Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

150. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the policy document, Civil Defence – Towards 2030; if consideration will be given to greater resourcing of its emergency response efforts and particularly in assisting during times of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3793/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Civil Defence is a statutory volunteer based organisation which supports the Principal Response Agencies i.e. An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Local Authorities.

The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.

Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant local authority area. The local authority has overall responsibility for the day to day operations.

In September 2020 the Government published 'Civil Defence - Towards 2030'. This important policy document was prepared following a wide-ranging consultation with a variety of stakeholders including volunteers, local authorities, Civil Defence Officers and Principal Response Agencies. The document states that the five core services of Civil Defence going forward are Emergency Response, Search and Rescue, Medical Response, Community Assistance and provision of a Radiation Monitoring Service.

The implementation of 'Civil Defence - Towards 2030' is ongoing. The actions arising from 'Civil Defence - Towards 2030', fall both with the Department of Defence and the local authorities. As part of this process there are regular meetings with the Inter Agency Guidance Team, the City and County Managers Association to review implementation of 'Towards 2030' and other Civil Defence related matters.

Civil Defence's emergency response is set out within each respective local authority Major Emergency Plan, this includes supporting the local authority in times of flooding through Civil Defence Auxilary Fire Service units and swift-water teams. The local authority has overall responsibility for the day to day operations within their respective area.

In respect of funding, Civil Defence is financed by a combination of grants from the Department of Defence as well as funding from local authorities. The annual operational grant provided by the Department covers up to 70% of the running costs of the Civil Defence Unit with the Local Authorities providing a minimum of 30%.

In 2022, my Departments budget for Civil Defence nationally is €4,640,000. In addition €500,000 has been allocated to Civil Defence from the Dormant Accounts Fund. The Dormant Accounts funding is being used to upgrade the Civil Defences vehicle fleet. The Government is committed to providing adequate funding to allow Civil Defence fulfil its role as set out in 'Towards 2030'.