Written Answers
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10 May 2018 Written Answers. The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised]. 10/05/2018WQuestions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, answered orally. 10/05/2018WRA00450Defence Forces Personnel 10/05/2018WRA0050011. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to introduce flexible working time and shift arrangements to improve the work-life balance for Defence Forces members in particular for those who have family commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20437/18] 10/05/2018WRA00600Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The achievement of an effective balance between the demands of the workplace and the home is important for the long-term welfare and development of the Defence Forces. Family-friendly working conditions and operational effectiveness are both possible. The Defence Forces will continue to develop appropriate work-life balance initiatives to assist personnel whilst ensuring that defence capa- bility is maintained. A range of initiatives has been introduced by the Defence Forces to assist with work-life balance. These include: • shorter overseas deployments for specific posts, • improved notice for courses • improved notice of travel arrangements for duties and • review of centralisation and duration of career courses. Work is underway to include the Defence Forces within the remit of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 which transposed the Organisation of Working Time Directive into Irish law. This has potential to change the manner in which the day to day work of the Defence Forces is arranged and monitored. The Act sets out the statutory rights of employees in respect of rest, maximum working time and holidays. My Department has conducted an audit of activi- ties of the Defence Forces with a view to establishing those activities which may qualify for an exemption or derogation from the Directive. In November 2016, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation obtained Government approval to amend this Act insofar as it provides for a specific exclusion for members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. Responsibility for the legislation subsequently moved to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and that Department is current- ly considering, in conjunction with the Department of Justice and Equality and my Department, the most appropriate legislative method by which to bring about the necessary amendments. A consultation process is underway with the Representative associations to consider the implementation of such changes for members of the Defence Forces and it is not possible at this point to outline the precise impacts. However, the implementation of these changes will have implications for patterns of work related to such issues as daily and weekly rest periods, breaks, maximum weekly working time, annual leave and recording of time worked. I believe that all of the processes in train will enhance work-life balance and deliver a more 1 Questions - Written Answers effective, energetic and sustainable Organisation into the future. Question No. 12 answered orally. Brexit Issues 10/05/2018WRA0080013. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of his Department’s preparations for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20213/18] 10/05/2018WRA00900Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The outcome of the vote of 23 June 2016 in the UK will have implications across all aspects of the business of the European Union. While the vote does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for De- fence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement within the EU in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is expected that Brexit will have an impact on future developments in the Defence sphere. Structures have been put in place in the Department of Defence to address the potential chal- lenges arising from Brexit including the assignment of responsibility to a senior official at As- sistant Secretary General level in relation to Brexit related matters. The senior official is leading the Department’s input to deliberations within the framework established across Government and is supported in their role by a number of branches in the Department. The senior official represents the Department on the Interdepartmental Group on EU-UK Affairs which is chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is engaged with the identification of key strategic, operational and policy issues arising from Brexit. In addition, the Management Board is acting as a clearing house for Brexit and maintains oversight on an ongoing basis. In respect of the border, the potential implications in this regard will emerge during the course of the negotiations. It is this Government’s stated goal to try to ensure that the current on-island border arrangements are maintained to the greatest extent possible. Responsibility for the security aspect of border control rests with An Garda Síochána, while the Revenue Commis- sioners also have responsibilities relating to their particular mandate. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power which, in practice, means to provide support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Defence Forces also provide support to the Revenue Commissioners on request. The De- fence Forces at all times keep operational plans under constant review and there will continue to be ongoing close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding se- curity matters, including through regular coordination and liaison meetings. My Department, together with the Naval Service and the Air Corps are working closely with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), who are the competent authority on this matter, in relation to Brexit. Ongoing liaison with the European Fisheries Control Agency and with other Member States, will continue as appropriate. In addition, the Government Task Force (GTF) on Emergency Planning has been briefed on potential emergency planning implications/issues that may arise from Brexit. The GTF will continue to monitor any future impacts on emergency planning that may arise as the Brexit negotiations unfold. The Government is under no illusions about the complexity of these negotiations. In that regard, I wish to reassure the Deputy that my Department is monitoring the ongoing situation to ensure that my Department and the Defence Forces are fully prepared to address any potential issues arising in the defence area on foot of Brexit. 2 10 May 2018 Defence Forces Personnel Data 10/05/2018WRA0100014. Deputy James Browne asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the supports pro- vided for members of the Defence Forces who undergo traumatic experiences while serving on UN mandated missions. [20397/18] 10/05/2018WRA01100Taoiseach and Minister for Defence (Deputy Leo Varadkar): I can assure the Deputy that the Defence Forces are fully aware of the importance of providing robust supports for per- sonnel who require them, whatever the reason. A range of medical and non-medical services are provided to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are medically fit to undertake the duties assigned to them and to treat any medical condition that may arise. As a matter of policy, psychiatric and psychological services, as well as the Defence Force Personnel Support Service (PSS) are available to members of the Defence Forces. These pro- vide for the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric or psychological disorders through to coun- selling and critical incident stress management. Defence Force personnel preparing for deployment overseas undergo a rigorous programme of training designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and provide for their protection. As part of the mission readiness process, all such personnel are provided with brief- ings by qualified PSS staff, on Critical Incidents and their effects along with stress management and wellness. Personnel are also issued with the Defence Force guide to Critical Incident Stress Management which provides useful information including how to manage stress associated with such incidents. In response to any significant operational incidents at home or overseas, PSS personnel trained in Critical Incident Stress Management are deployed to provide both one-to-one and group psychological support. In addition, prior to deployment, PSS trains a cross section of personnel in Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Support which enables them to provide initial psychological support (Psychological First Aid) to any personnel who may be affected by a traumatic incident. Such support would include normalising the reactions, enhancing indi- vidual stress management and where appropriate referral of personnel to additional resources such as the unit medical officer. Defence Force personnel have, both while on a tour of duty and following their return home, access to a Primary Carer Medical Practitioner, either military (Medical Officer) or civilian (GP), whose role it is to assess, diagnose, treat and refer individuals as necessary. Personnel experiencing psychological issues can be referred by their Primary Carer to the Defence Forces Psychiatric and Psychological Service for assessment and treatment with onward referral to the civilian service if required. While I am satisfied that these measures provide comprehensive supports to individuals in the Defence Forces who may require them, I can assure you that all such supports are kept under review. 10/05/2018WRA01150Commemorative Events 10/05/2018WRA0120015. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Defence Forces involvement in peacekeeping mis- sions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20290/18] 3 Questions - Written Answers 10/05/2018WRA01300Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): This year marks significant anniversaries in relation to Ireland’s United Nations peacekeeping role.