Written answers
Tuesday, 8 November 2022
Department of Defence
Defence Forces
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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499. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the purchase and provision of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear suits for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55223/22]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Framework for Major Emergency Management the Defence Forces can be tasked in aid of Civil Power to provide operational support in a response to a national chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident in order to mark, cordon, monitor, measure, decontaminate, retrieve and dispose of any CBRN devices and matter so found. Additionally, the Defence Forces in the context of overseas deployments may be required to operate in CBRN environments.
The provision of an effective CBRN suit system is a priority matter which merits immediate action. To that end following extensive research and testing by the Directorate of Ordnance a solution has been identified and approval has been granted for the purchase and delivery of a consignment of CBRN suits for Q2 2023 which will meet the immediate and ongoing needs of the Defence Forces.
Specific details of the essential CBRN platforms and ancillaries are subject to normal operational security reporting restrictions and are not disclosed for operational security reasons.
Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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500. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies for doctors, nurses, and dentists currently in the Defence Forces medical corps as of 1 November 2022; and when these vacancies will be filled in tabular form. [55341/22]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the military that the current number of vacancies for each of the requested positions are as follows:
| Position | Vacancies | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Dentist | Four | A recruitment process for Defence Forces Direct Entry Dental Officers is ongoing. |
| Doctor | 5 | Medical Officer positions are advertised and processed on an ongoing basis. A list of Direct Entry applicants are currently under consideration for the role of Medical Officer in the Defence Forces. |
| Nurse | N/A | The Employment Control Framework for the Defence Forces provided in the past for 14 Army Nursing Service (ANS) staff. However, these positions are not included in the 9,500 Permanent Defence Force establishment. Options for the recruitment of nurses are currently being explored. |
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