Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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214. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the Volunteer and Equipment Management System (VEMS) of Civil Defence; how effective this system is in terms of having timely and up to date information about the recruitment, training and deployment of volunteers; the steps that are taken to ensure optimum delivery and resourcing of VEMS for the benefit of volunteers as well as officers, at both national and local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33464/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Volunteer and Equipment Management System (VEMS) was rolled out for Civil Defence in July 2023. Training continues to be provided to new and existing Civil Defence Officers and Assistant Civil Defence Officers by the Department and as part of peer-to-peer training. This ensure inputs to the system are timely and relevant. VEMS has proven to be an effective tool for both Civil Defence Branch and local authorities, by providing accurate data in respect of recruitment, deployment and training is available in a timely manner. My Department continues to engage with Civil Defence Officers and volunteers to improve VEMS and ensure optimum delivery. For information my Department won a Civil Defence Excellence and Innovation award in 2024 for VEMS in the ‘Workforce of the Future’ category, reflecting the teamwork and effort that went into making VEMS a success.