Written Answers Nos. 93-111
93. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a person (details supplied) does not have broadband access in line with the national broadband plan; when they are likely to get access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36747/24]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The premises referred to in the question is in the BLUE area on the broadband map. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. There may be a choice of operators offering this service in any given area. Further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) webform at secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and the department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
As per records available the premises in question has been passed by open eirs Full Fibre deployment programme, which will provide a full fibre gigabit connection with speeds up to 2Gbps.
94. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has plans to repower the 76 windfarms across the country due to come to the end of their life by 2030; and the estimated cost and timeline for repowering. [36911/24]
View answerThe Renewable Energy Directive requires Member States to introduce accelerated and simplified permitting procedures for the repowering of renewable energy projects. Planning matters fall under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and the decision to repower individual projects is a matter for developers.
Through the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, my Department is working closely with DHLGH on a range of policy measures to ensure that there is a supportive policy framework in place that facilitates the accelerated deployment of onshore wind and solar farm developments and supports a streamlined process for repowering of renewable electricity generation projects.
Repowering of existing wind farms has potential to deliver an increase in generation capacity, usually by replacing older, less efficient turbines with newer models with higher capacities, with limited additional environmental impact while maintaining electricity system security of supply.
Ireland is a world leader in onshore wind and the continued operation of Ireland's fleet of onshore wind farms is critical to ensuring a secure and affordable energy supply to 2030 and beyond. In addition, repowering onshore wind farms with fewer and more efficient turbines is the lowest cost and quickest means of supplying renewable energy to Ireland's homes and businesses.
Continued operation of existing renewable energy through permitting and other means as well as repowering will be critical to underpin the delivery of Ireland's 80% by 2030 renewable electricity target, that emissions reductions are delivered at least cost to households and businesses and security of electricity supply is maintained.
95. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of sheep allowed on The Curragh; and how much acreage is allowed for the sheep. [36021/24]
View answer96. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the turbary rights for the grazing of sheep on The Curragh, County Kildare, are reassigned each year. [36022/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.
Grazing of sheep on the Curragh Plains is permitted under the Curragh of Kildare Acts of 1870, 1961 and 1969. “Claims” in this regard belong to various land owners in townlands surrounding the Curragh of Kildare, and are not reassigned as such. I am advised that the current available number of sheep claims is 5,995. The Department of Defence requests farmers to complete forms to identify each year the numbers of sheep claims they are using in order to ensure that “rights of pasture” can be verified.
Sheep are allowed graze on all Curragh lands with the exception of the Defence Forces Training Centre (Curragh Camp) and other enclosed lands such as the Curragh Racecourse. I am advised that a previous review in this regards estimates the area available for grazing is 1,330 hectares (Approx 3286 Acres). To clarify, pursuant to S.I. No. 40/1951 - Turbary Rights Order, 1951 there are no turbary rights on the Curragh.
97. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures the Government is taking in relation to the terms and conditions of Defence Forces personnel and in relation to their housing situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36091/24]
View answerOver the last number of years members of the Defence Forces have benefitted from a range of pay increases associated with national pay agreements. In addition to these pay increases, members of the Defence Forces have further benefitted from specific recommendations arising from the Report of Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF), which was established by Government in December 2020.
It is worth noting, in this regard, that this Report observed that much of the commentary surrounding issues of pay in the Defence Forces does not seem to fully reflect the totality of the remuneration package and believes that this needs to be better communicated.
The Government has progressed a number of key measures arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include:
• Removal of the requirement for a Private 3 Star/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank (as detailed above in terms starting pay rates);
• Payment of the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank of all Private 3 Star/Able Seaman personnel.
In 2023 I announced the extension of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces personnel, a measure that commenced in September 2023. Previously, various benefits applied to Commissioned Officers only. It will now apply to all personnel. In addition to the comprehensive range of primary care currently provided, this new measure will facilitate referrals to private consultants, as well as the costs of any diagnostic tests.
In addition to the above, I introduced changes to the existing Naval Service allowances, as a means of simplifying current structures, by consolidating the daily allowance and the sea-going commitment scheme into one enhanced allowance. This is in line with the Commission on Defence Forces recommendation to replace existing sea-going allowances with less complex measures, with the sea-going commitment scheme abolished from the end of 2023.
Specifically, the current Patrol Duty Allowance, paid to Naval Service personnel, is doubled, after ten days at sea. This measure took effect from 1 January 2024. Currently, post the 1 June 2024 increase, the daily rate has increased from €66.79 to €132.58 for an officer, and from €66.368 to €132.76 for an enlisted person, after ten days at sea.
Having due regard to all of the measures mentioned it is therefore important to note that significant progress has been delivered on pay and conditions, for the Defence Forces, in recent years. Following the implementation of the Commission on Defence Forces recommendations, as well as the ratification of a new public service pay agreement in 2024 (which resulted in an initial 2.25% wage adjustment from 1 January and a further 1% from 1 June so far in 2024) this means that recruits, on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), start at:
• €39,714 in year 1
• €41,125 in year 2, and
• €42,425 in year 3
In terms of Officers, a school leaver Cadet - on commissioning as an Officer- is paid €43,654. This is a second Lieutenant position. After 2 years they are promoted to Lieutenant and their pay rises to €48,990. These rates all include pensionable military service allowance, which is an allowance that is paid to all ranks up to and including the rank of Colonel, for the unpredictable nature of the work encountered by the Defence Forces.
It should be noted that a further 1% pay rise is due on 1 October, to all public service personnel.
Remuneration for individual members of the Defence Forces is dependent on a range of factors relating to the role and duties they perform. The minimum payment for trained personnel is comprised of Basic Pay and Military Service Allowance. Defence Force personnel also have access to other remuneration streams, such as technical and specialist pay, while at the same time a wide range of duties attract additional allowances.
I am also pleased to say that I have recently approved a policy in relation to the removal of the blanket exemption which currently applies to the Defence Forces in the Organisation of Working Time Act. The next step in the process is to progress the necessary legislative amendments. Officials in both the Department of Defence and Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) are involved in this process.
Turning to the issue of housing, it is important to note that this matter does not fall within my remit, as Minister for Defence, rather the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Defence Force personnel are only provided accommodation for training purposes.
98. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has a policy, or has issued guidance to staff on the use of artificial intelligence, large language model, natural language processing, generative or otherwise, or products based thereon in the course of their duties; if this has been communicated to staff; if he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36136/24]
View answerIn line with the National AI Strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. No Departmental functions are currently assisted by large language models, natural language processing or generative AI products.
The use of artificial intelligence, as with all enabling technologies, will be considered on a solution by solution basis. Any such considerations will be discussed and a risk assessment conducted as appropriate.
99. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department, or any agency under his auspices, has ever used any artificial intelligence software in the preparation of response to parliamentary questions, or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation; the details of same if applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36155/24]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not use artificial intelligence software in the preparation of responses to Parliamentary Questions or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation.
In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review.
100. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way the amount was calculated for a former member of the Defence Forces (details supplied) to buy their way out of the Defence Forces to subsequently join the Prison Service; if in this case the calculation was correct and takes account of the totality of their service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36541/24]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that under General Data Protection Regulation it is not appropriate for me to detail the specific points of this individual case through the particular mechanism of a parliamentary question.
I can, however, provide a more broad answer to the query and confirm that, in line with established practice on these matters, the calculation of the undertaking for this individual was based on the information supplied by the military authorities. I am also advised that the calculation of the undertaking was carried out in compliance with the relevant terms and conditions of the course that the individual signed up to.
The General Undertaking Form (GUF) contains significant detail as to the financial liability accepted by the individual.
An undertaking is founded on the premise that service is owed back to the organisation that has funded the course. Courses are undertaken at public expense and personnel commit to a specified length of service or, if exiting the Defence Forces before this service is completed, pay a prescribed sum of money. The individual retains financial liability for early termination of the service undertaking (for voluntary retirement/discharge) and calculations are carried out on an individual basis.
In this case, I am further advised that all requests received by my officials, to calculate monies owed, have been duly addressed.
Separately, a discharge by purchase fee may be applied in which a person pays an appropriate sum to discharge in accordance with Defence Force Regulation A10. Monetary sums in relation to discharge by purchase are assessed on a case by case basis depending on years of service and any educational undertaking.
The guidelines associated with determination of the amount payable on discharge are set down in Regulation and are contained within DFR A10.
101. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of vacant engineer room artificer technicians currently in the Naval Service; when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36548/24]
View answerThe military authorities have provided the following requested information, as at 13 September 2024, in respect of Engine Room Artificers in the Naval Service:
|
Establishment |
85 personnel |
|
Strength |
60* personnel |
|
Vacancies |
25 |
*includes 16 personnel undergoing training to become Engine Room Artificers.
Vacancies are filled in line with promotional arrangements, as appropriate, and by recruitment. A direct entry competition for Engine Room Artificers is ongoing and, as of the 31 August 2024, attracted 15 applications.
In an effort to remove all potential obstacles to recruiting and retaining personnel, the Government agreed to increase the maximum retirement age for Permanent Defence Force personnel to 62. This facilitated an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles (General Service Recruits, Cadets and certain specialists including Engine Room Artificers) with a current recruitment age below 39 years.
102. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the musical instruments part of the Defence Forces School of Music are insured in the case of loss or theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36549/24]
View answerThe Military Authorities have advised that the instruments are not insured for loss or theft.
103. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel, by rank, which would be needed to train a new Army cadetship class consisting of 70 persons. [36673/24]
View answer104. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defences Forces personnel, by rank, which would be needed to train a new Naval Service cadetship class consisting of 38 persons. [36674/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
It has not been possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available
|
Rank |
Number |
|
Commandant |
1 |
|
Captain |
1 |
|
Lieutenant |
2 |
|
Company Sergeant |
1 |
|
Sergeant |
14 |
|
Rank |
Number |
|
Lieutenant |
1 |
|
Sub Lieutenant |
1 |
|
Chief Petty Officer |
1 |
|
Petty Officer |
1 |
|
Leading Seaman |
3 |
105. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 9 September 2024, the rationale for the Minister for EU Affairs being appointed as Minister for State in the Department of Defence, as distinct from any other Department; the reason this decision was not made earlier but was made in April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36765/24]
View answerJennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D. is the Minister of State in the Department of Defence. She is also Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, with special responsibility for European Affairs. She was appointed by the Taoiseach to these separate roles on 9 April 2024.
Peter Burke T.D. previously held both roles until he was promoted to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on 9 April 2024.
106. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of males and females in each Army and Naval Service cadetship competition class during 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36802/24]
View answerThe following table provides the number of Army and Naval Service Cadets inducted in 2023, by gender, as requested:
|
2023 |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Army |
39 |
8 |
47 |
|
Naval Service |
4 |
1 |
5 |
Applications for the 2024 Cadetship competition are in the final stages of the induction process and so the requested information is not currently available.
107. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of military avionics technicians in the Air Corps as of 12 September 2024; and if he will provide same figures as of 12 September 2021, in tabular form. [36803/24]
View answerIt has not been possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.
|
4 October 2021 |
31 August 2024 |
|
|
Qualified Military Aircraft Technicians |
169 |
162 |
|
Qualified Military Avionics Technicians (included in figures for Qualified Military Aircraft Technicians above) |
34 |
28 |
|
Technicians in training |
69 |
45 |
108. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by his Department; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [36905/24]
View answerThere are currently 2 live reviews and 5 live research projects as commissioned by my Department. The details are set out in the table below.
|
Activity |
Name |
Expected Date of completion |
|
Review |
Review of Civil Defence Training College Delivery Model |
November 2024 |
|
Review |
Review of the medical services provided to the Defence Forces |
October 2024 |
|
Research |
A high level analysis of the application of military law in circumstances where personnel have been convicted of serious offences in the civil courts |
September 2024 |
|
Research |
Research into developing a Civil Defence Radiation Monitoring Service Mobile Application (in collaboration with Defence’s Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Unit) |
October 2024 |
|
Research |
Shared Island and Department of Defence Funded Research Project - Communication for Impact |
Q3, 2024 |
|
Research |
Department of Defence Funded Research Project - Build Back Better. |
Q4, 2025 |
|
Research |
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)/Defence Organisation Innovation Challenge. |
January 2026 |
109. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made in removing the blanket exclusion of members of the Defence Forces from the protections of the Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36912/24]
View answerI am pleased to advise that progress continues to be made following my approval earlier this year of the final management position on the implementation of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces.
Formal engagement between my officials and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who are responsible for developing the appropriate legislative mechanism to remove the blanket exemption in the Organisation of Working Time Act, is well advanced.
Work is also underway to formulise the health and safety protections agreed for those activities deemed to be outside the scope of the Directive, due to their nature. In addition, work is in train on the procurement of a long-term electronic Time and Attendance solution which will be a critical enabler in taking forward the implementation of the Directive.
The implementation of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces is correctly seen as an important retention measure and will ensure that health and safety protections as prescribed in the Directive, are afforded to serving personnel.
110. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of personnel Ireland is required to provide to an EU Battlegroup in 2025; the number of personnel who volunteered to take part in such; the number who have been mandated to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36913/24]
View answerIreland will now provide approximately 191 personnel to the EU Battlegroup 2025, an increase of 5 of numbers previously advised by me. The additional personnel will include cooks and engineers to carry out recently identified further support roles.
The contribution will comprise a Group HQ, a Mechanised Infantry Company (with a Company HQ, Infantry platoons and a weapons platoon) together with a National Support Element (providing the necessary transport, medical, Communication & Information Systems, maintenance and ordnance support) along with staff posts in the Force Headquarters, and personnel in a National Logistics Support Group to be based in Germany to aid the transport and storage of DF equipment.
Military management has advised that the Defence Forces contribution to EUBG 2025 is staffed to 94% currently, of which seven personnel have been mandatorily selected. The expectation is that the remaining posts will be fully filled in the coming months.
111. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces; the number currently enlisted/commissioned; the number who have been discharged in the past 12 months; the number who have been recruited, by service branch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36914/24]
View answerThe military authorities have provided the requested information as set out in the following two tables:
Table A contains the establishment strength for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and Reserve Defence Force (RDF); the current PDF strength and the current RDF effective strength as of 31 August 2024 – in total and also broken down by Officer and Enlisted strength. Also included are the number of PDF and RDF discharges that took place between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024.
Table A
|
- |
Total PDF |
Total RDF |
|
Establishment Strength |
9,600 |
4,069 |
|
Total Strength as at 31/08/2024 |
7,426 |
1,553 |
|
Officer Strength as at 31/08/2024 |
1,238 |
240 |
|
Enlisted Strength as at 31/08/2024 |
6,188 |
1,313 |
|
Discharges 1/09/2023 – 31/08/2024 |
720 |
110 |
Table B provides the number of PDF and RDF inductions that took place between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024, in total and also broken down by branch.
|
- |
Total PDF |
Total RDF |
|
Army Inductions |
381 |
234 |
|
Air Corps Inductions |
64 |
N/A |
|
Naval Service Inductions |
89 |
25 |
|
Total Inductions (1/09/2023 – 31/08/2024) |
534 |
259 |
The staffing challenges in the Permanent Defence Force have been acknowledged previously. Current recruitment initiatives underway to counter these staffing challenges include ongoing recruitment of General Service Recruits and Direct Entry specialists in addition to the recruitment of Cadets, the expansion of the scope of such recruitment, the progression of the recommendations from a recent external validation of the Defence Forces recruitment process, engagement of a marine specialist recruitment body and the establishment of a Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanstown.
Additionally, a range of financial and non-financial retention initiatives are being implemented. These include the doubling of the Naval Service Patrol Duty allowance, the further extension of the Naval Service tax credit, and the extension of the provision of private secondary healthcare to all members of the PDF, in addition to significant progress on pay.
In an effort to remove all potential obstacles to recruiting and retaining personnel, the Government agreed increases in the upper recruitment and mandatory retirement age in the PDF with comparable increases in the RDF.
In respect of the Reserve Defence Force, the immediate focus of the Office of Reserve Affairs has been the development of a Regeneration Plan in addition to increasing recruitment into the RDF by streamlining the recruitment process. The RDF Regeneration and Development Plan, launched on 24 July 2024, contains a number of actions concerning the recruitment, resourcing and bolstering of the RDF.
