Foreword by Chairman
In presenting the Civil Defence Board’s 2005 Annual Report to the Minister for Defence, Willie O’ Dea, I am conscious of the valuable role the organization plays in providing emergency response and community support services.
While the transition, from being part of a Government Department to an independent State Board, continues to present a huge challenge to the Board, it is with pleasure that I report to the Minister a year of accomplishment for Civil Defence and I look forward to when the many projects, currently at various stages of development, will bear fruit.
The active co-operation of the Minister, Secretary General and the Department of Defence has been a crucial factor in the success of the Civil Defence Board to date and I look forward to the continuation of our existing working relationship.
This Annual Report reflects on the efforts of all involved in Civil Defence i.e. the Committees and staff of the Board; local authorities – particularly Civil Defence Officers and of course all of the Civil Defence Volunteers countrywide.
The period covered by this Report saw the Civil Defence Board’s Strategic Plan to 2007 officially launched by the Minister for Defence, Mr Willie O’ Dea. The Plan provides focus for the future of the organisation thereby allowing it to realise it’s maximum potential.
The modernisation process of the organisation continued in 2005. The Civil Defence Board sanctioned funds to each Local Authority for the purchase of equipment/vehicles as an aid to building on the progress that has been made in recent years in modernising the Civil Defence organisation at local level.
Mr. Joe Meagher
Chairman
Foreword by Director General
I am pleased to present the Annual Report of the Civil Defence Board for 2005. The report describes the progress that the Civil Defence Board has made in 2005 and related developments in the wider Civil Defence organisation.
I take the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution and commitment of Gerry Gervin, my predecessor as Director General, who held office for the period covered by this Annual Report.
The Board’s first Strategic Plan for the period to 2007 was launched by the Minister for Defence, Mr Willie O’ Dea. The plan benefited from the co-operation and support of all members of the Board and the members of its committees as well as input from the various stakeholders of the organisation.
The Board, recognises the importance of maximising publicity opportunities and in this regard sanctioned a Public Relations Officer function within the Executive. The Civil Defence Website was launched by the Minister for Defence, Mr Willie O’ Dea. The updated Website will be a useful addition to the Board as a means of communication with the wider public and members of the organisation on up-to-date activities within the organisation.
It is anticipated that the new headquarters at Benamore, will be ready for occupation in the first quarter of 2006. I will endeavour to ensure that the remainder of the full agreed complement of Civil Defence staff will be relocated to Roscrea, as soon as possible thereafter.
Mr. Bill Smith
Director General
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
“To promote, develop and maintain Civil Defence as an effective volunteer based professional organisation providing emergency response and community support services”.
Civil Defence Act
Having reviewed the operations of Civil Defence the then Minister of State published the Civil Defence Bill on 10 January, 2002. The Civil Defence Act, 2002, was subsequently enacted by the Oireachtas and signed into law on 12 April, 2002.
Under the Act Civil Defence policy remains the responsibility of the Minister but the day to day management and development of Civil Defence on a national level is now the responsibility of the Civil Defence Board since the signing of an Establishment Order under the Act in May, 2003. Operational control at local authority level will remain with the relevant County/City Manager. |
Civil Defence Board
The Board is made up of fourteen members (including the Chairman) and is representative of the major stakeholders in the wider civil protection community. The current Civil Defence Board was appointed in June 2005 - members are as follows:
| Four persons who, in the opinion of the Minister for Defence, have experience in business, industry, finance or administration relevant to the Board’s functions. |  | Mr. Joseph Meagher (Chairman)
Ms. Kay Caball
Mr. Oliver O’Loughlin
Mr. Tony Kelly |
|
| A Principal Officer from the Department of Defence (to act as first Director General). | | Mr. Gerry Gervin |
|
| A person nominated by the County & City Managers Association. | | Mr. Ned Gleeson |
|
| A person nominated by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who, in the opinion of that Minister, has relevant experience or expertise relating to emergency planning. | | Mr. Seán Hogan |
|
| A person nominated by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. | | Dr. Barbara Rafferty |
|
| A person nominated by the Environmental Protection Agency. | | Ms. Majella Byrne |
|
| A member of the Civil Defence Officers Association nominated by it. | | Ms. Gabrielle Willis |
|
| An Officer of the Defence Forces nominated by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. | | Comdt. Kevin Houston |
|
| A member of the Garda Síochána nominated by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. | | Chief Supt. John T. Farrelly |
|
| A volunteer member of Civil Defence. | | Mr. Gerry Naylor |
|
| A member of the staff of the Board. | | Ms. Roisin McGuire |
* For functions of the Civil Defence Board please see appendix (1)
Major Board Projects
Civil Defence Educational seminar brought together Board members, staff, Civil Defence Officers and volunteers for the first time
Formal Launch of the Civil Defence Board’s Strategic Plan to 2007 by the Minister for Defence
Appointment of a Public Relations/Press Officer
Arranging the election of a volunteer member of the Civil Defence Board
Undertaking of a nationwide survey of Civil Defence accommodation
Formal Launch of the updated Civil Defence website by the Minister for Defence
Approval for a New Medal to be awarded for Civil Defence service at their annual military pilgrimage in Lourdes
Inaugural meeting of the new Civil Defence Board
Appointment of a Medical Advisor to the Civil Defence Board
Civil Defence exhibition at the National Ploughing Championships, Mogeely, County Cork
Committees of the Board
Committees of the Civil Defence Board were very active in 2005 advising and assisting the Board with the ongoing implementation of the Strategic Plan. As set down in section 28, subsection 12 of the Civil Defence Act, 2002, each Committee provided regular reports of its activities and operations for the Board. Following the establishment of a new Civil Defence Board in the autumn of 2005, new personnel were appointed to each of the four Committees of the Board. It is anticipated that newly appointed members of Committees will commence their work in 2006.
The following is a brief synopsis of Committee activities in 2005.
Planning, Development and Recruitment Committee
This Committee held three meetings in 2005. The Committee identified the following areas for action:
Agreeing Committee Terms of Reference.
Completing the Final Draft of the Strategic Plan of the Civil Defence Board to 2007.
Assessed Local Authority Civil Defence Development Plans.
Liaising with the Interdepartmental Committee on Major Emergency Planning Framework.
Approving Draft Memoranda of Understanding between Civil Defence and other emergency services.
Review of the current format of the Civil Defence National Exercises.
Recruitment, enrolment forms and the Register of Members
Progress to date on Strategic Plan to 2007
Review of Role at National level
Draft Memoranda of Understanding prepared and issued to principal agencies.
Submissions to the Interdepartmental Committee on Major Emergency Planning Framework
Volunteers
Election mechanisms in place
Register being currently researched
Command & Control
Review of existing report being conducted by Working Group.
Health, Safety and Procurement Committee
The Health, Safety and Procurement Committee held five meetings in 2005. Projects undertaken by this Committee include:
Agreeing Committee Terms of Reference.
A review of obsolete Civil Defence vehicles.
Analysis of the 2004 Civil Defence Special Equipment Grant.
Preliminary Consultations for new Civil Defence uniforms and work-wear.
Examination of Volunteer uniform and personal protective requirements for 2005.
Assessment and Recommendation concerning the procurement of a medal for service at the Annual Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Clarification of Health, Safety and Insurance issues affecting Civil Defence.
Advising and making recommendations concerning Procurement and Health and Safety issues to the Civil Defence Board.
Progress to date on Strategic Plan to 2007Researched best practice in finance and procurements within Executive.
Civil Defence will utilise the Management Information Framework on moving to permanent headquarters at Benamore, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
Equipment necessary for Civil Defence operations procured and issued.
Education and Training Committee
The Education and Training Committee held three meetings during 2005. The Committee agreed to meet regularly and focused its attention on the following:
Agree the Terms of Reference for the Training and Education Committee.
Review of the National Exercises.
Assistance to the School Principal in the appointment of a Medical Advisor to the Civil Defence Board.
Further development of Education and Training within Civil Defence
Progress to date on Strategic Plan to 2007
Training programmes reviewed in line with current best practice
Continuous Evaluation and delivery of Training Programmes for Civil Defence members linked to approved activities.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee held two meetings in 2005. The Committee invited officers from the Comptroller and Auditor Generals office to advise them on audit matters. The Committee commenced work on the following audit related areas:
Audit Committee Terms of Reference.
Form of Accounts.
Audit Procedures.
Internal Audit.
| Commitees of the Civil Defence Board (to June 2005) |
| Planning, Development & Recruitment | | Ned Gleeson (Chair)
Chief Supt. Denis Fitzpatrick
Sean Hogan,
Frances Moynihan
Dan O’Sullivan
Michael Fitzsimons
Paul Crowe | | County Manager, Limerick County Council.
Garda HQ., Dublin.
Dept. of Environment and Local Government, Dublin.
Ballinamult, Co. Waterford.
Retired Manager, South Dublin County Council.
Civil Defence Officer, Meath County Council.
Director of Services, Limerick County Council. |
|
| Education & Training | | Dr. Ann McGarry (Chair)
Edward Cooney
Barry Healy
Irene O’Meara
Patrick Dooley
Dr. Suzanne McGurry
Vincent McCarthy | | Director Radiological Protection Inst. of Irl., Dublin.
Civil Defence Officer, South Tipperary Co. Co.
HR Manager, Evocent, Shannon, Co. Clare.
Civil Defence Headquarters, Dublin.
Knocklong, Co. Limerick.
Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Cork Univ. Hosp.
A/Director, Limerick Institute of Technology. |
|
| Health, Safety & Procurement | | Mr Tony Kelly (Chair)
John Moriarty
Phyllis O’Halloran
Matt Donnelly
Comdt. Kevin Houston
Seamus Dooley | | Dundrum, Dublin
Assistant Civil Defence Officer, Dublin City Council.
Civil Defence Officer, Limerick County Council.
Dir. Border Regional Authority, Athbara Hse., Cavan.
McKee Barracks, Dublin.
Manager Wexford County Council (Retired). |
|
| Audit | | Declan Burns
Cllr. Margaret Adams
Philip Ryan
Patrick O’Sullivan
Cllr. Paddy Durack
John Lupton
Fergus Mulcahy | | Dir. Environmental Protection Agency, Wexford.
Westport, Co. Mayo.
Solicitor, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
Lough Gur House, Limerick.
Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
Dept. of Defence (retired), Dublin. |
| Commitees of the Civil Defence Board (Appointed August 200 |
| Planning, Development & Recruitment | | Ms. Gabrielle Willis (Chair)
Mr. Bill Smith
Mr. Ned Gleeson
Ms. Kay Caball
Ms. Majella Byrne
Mr.Sean Hogan
Mr Tony Kelly | | Civil Defence Officer, Wexford County Council.
Civil Defence Headquarters, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
Limerick County Council, Dooradoyle, Co Limerick.
Cathedral Place, Limerick.
Environmental Protection Agency, Wexford.
Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, Dublin
Dundrum, Dublin |
|
| Education & Training | | Chief Supt. John F Farrelly (chair)
Mr. Martin Kirwin
Mr. Oliver O'Loughlin
Dr. Ann McGarry
Mr. John Moriarty
Mr. John Maughan
Mr. Stephen Harney | | Garda Traffic Corps, Dublin
Civil Defence Headquarters, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
Limerick City Council, Merchants Quay, Limerick.
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, Dublin.
Assistant Civil Defence Officer, Dublin County Council.
Civil Defence Officer, Mayo County Council.
Ballinasloe, Co Galway. |
|
| Health, Safety & Procurement | | Mr Gerry Naylor (Chair)
Mr. John Kelly
Cllr. John Gallahue
Mr. PJ Merrigan
Mr. Sean O'Toole
Ms. Marion Davis
Mr. Pat McNamara | | Ballina, Co Mayo
Civil Defence Headquarters, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
Ballylanders, Co. Limerick.
Navan, Co Meath.
Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.
Civil Defence Officer, Sligo County Council.
Civil Defence Officer, Limerick County Council. |
|
| Audit | | Comdt. Kevin Houston (Chair)
Col. Michael Cleary
Mrs. Phyllis O'Halloran
Mr. Michael MaGuire
Mr. Michael Barragry
Mr. Michael Walsh
Mr. Paddy Durack | | McKee Barracks, Dublin.
Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Kilimo, Co. Limerick.
Lattin East, Co. Tipperary.
Oola, Co. Limerick.
Cong, Co. Mayo.
Thurles, Co. Tipperary. |
Annual Report Training 2005
The year 2005 offered several challenges to the instructional side in relation to delivering a training programme to the Civil Defence Organisation.
The fact that training staffs were split between two locations and the then continuing movement of staff at support level contributed to the problem.
Notwithstanding these problems there was considerable activity on the training side in the year 2005.
The most significant developments were in the area of Rescue and Casualty.
Rescue
The development of a relationship with the Outreach Centre in North Wales for the delivery of part of the training programme at technical rescue level enabled the school to push ahead with rescue instructor training and to generate activity at local level in the technical rescue / heights rescue area. In the course of the year there were 3 courses run at the North Wales Centre resulting in over 40 instructors being qualified. Instructors are still in the process of qualifying in this area and when the programme is completed in 2006/7 there will be sufficient instructors in the technical rescue area to meet the needs of the organisation for the years ahead.
Casualty
Instructor programmes in the casualty area continue to be very popular and two courses were run during the year. There is an ongoing need for casualty instructors and programmes in this discipline are a regular feature of the school programme.
Certification in the area of casualty continues at both advanced and intermediate levels and there is strong take up on these activities.
Developments within the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) are beginning to impact on the organisation and a number of discussion and information events were held both for school staff and for local instructors.
Developments in this area will have a major impact on the casualty service into the future and will require the school staff to consider a total re appraisal of the casualty syllabus in 2006/7.
Following discussions with our medical advisor a defibrillation programme has been put in place for the instructors and the volunteers. This training is ongoing.
Our links with the Irish Heart Foundation continue and the arrangements for instructor certification are under active discussion. The change in manpower in the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) is slowing the process down somewhat but we are confident that with the appointment of a co-ordinator within the IHF the various programmes will be reactivated and our own instructor programme will be finalised.
Welfare
There were no major developments in the Welfare area during the year. School Staff continue to develop theirskills in the area for food preparation and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) requirements.
Auxiliary Fire Service (A.F.S.)
Auxiliary Fire Service courses are held in alternate years.
Warden Service (Radiation Detection and Reporting) and Radio Operations
A seminar was run for Radiological Officers and those involved in the detection and reporting of radioactive contamination. This was followed up by the inclusion in the National Exercise of a radiological element that was monitored by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII). Feedback from this exercise was given to those who took part and improvements in the way in which the organisation report and log such readings were
suggested and implemented. An Instructor training course in Radio Operations was held during the year.
Search Skills
A number of courses were run jointly by Civil Defence and IMRA (Irish Mountain Rescue Association) in the area of search operations and search management skills. Those courses were all very well attended.
School Staff
The school instructional staffs consist of the School Principal and two Instructors. There is a vacancy for one school instructor. A development programme for the instructional staff is ongoing.
Civil Defence Activities 2005
National Exercises 2005
National AFS Pump Drill Competition 2005
| Host Local Authority | | Winning Team |
| Cavan | | Donegal |
National Boat/Kayak Competition 2005
| Winner of Pat Kennedy Memorial Trophy | | Winning of Boating Shield |
| Monaghan | | Leitrim |
Other Civil Defence Board Activities
As part of our new strategy on Public Relations, the Civil Defence Board hosted a stand at the National Ploughing Championships which were held recently in Cork.
The event provided a marvellous public relations opportunity for Civil Defence with an estimated attendance in excess of 170,000 people. The overall aim of having a stand at the Championships was to create a greater awareness of the Civil Defence organisation and to assist in the recruitment of new members.
A number of volunteers assisted at the stand during the three days and their assistance is greatly appreciated. The stand was well received by the public and people seemed very interested in finding out about Civil Defence. The new Chairman of the Board, Mr. Joe Meagher and the Director General, Gerry Gervin, visited the stand during the event. Positive feedback was noted at head office with administrative staff reporting an increase in phone calls regarding recruitment to Civil Defence in the days following the Championships
Minister for Defefence Launches Civil Defence Strategis Plan at Ratra House
The Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O’Dea, T.D., officially launched the Civil Defence Board’s Strategic Plan to 2007 at a function in Ratra House on the 23rd November 2005.
The main focus of this Plan is to meet the requirements of Civil Defence and those of its stakeholders in positioning the organisation for the future and thereby to allow it to realise its maximum potential.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister said that he hoped the implemenation of the Plan would make a good organisation even better and wished the Board and all volunteer members of Civil Defence continued success in the future.
Inaugural Civil Defence Board Education Seminar
The Civil Defence Board hosted an educational seminar in Ratra House on October 25th to 27th 2005.
In attendance were members of the Civil Defence Board led by Board Chairman, Mr. Joe Meagher. Civil Defence Officers attended in large numbers as did the staff of the Board.
The first morning of the seminar was devoted to the various areas of the Civil Defence Board Executive. School Principal, Martin Kirwan, delivered a very interesting presentation on the Civil Defence organisation from the 1950’s right up to the present day.
After lunch, which was served as part of a Welfare demonstration by Dublin Civil Defence, various practical demonstrations were delivered by members of Meath and Dublin Civil Defence Units.
The first day concluded with the presentation of Rescue Instructor Certificates. The Certificates were presented by the Civil Defence Board Chairman and Tony Elmsley, the Chief Instructor with Outreach.
Day Two of the Seminar centred on four discussion topics. Each discussion was chaired by a Civil Defence Officer and Plenary Sessions were held afterwards. These discussions provided a great forum for a frank exchange of views. Discussion topics covered such areas as Training, National Exercises, Review of Membership Enrolment Form and Strength Returns.
In the afternoon, delegates enjoyed a presentation on “Civil Defence – a Legal Perspective” delivered by Frank Watters, Senior Lecturer in Law, and also a presentation on “Civil Defence Insurance” delivered by Donal O’Sullivan from Irish Public Bodies Mutual.
The final day of the Seminar commenced with a discussion on the Civil Defence Uniform, chaired by Tom Casserly, Civil Defence Officer, Galway. Later in the morning, very interesting presentations were delivered by Donal McNamara from the Irish Mountain Rescue Association and by Brian Power from the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council.
The Seminar concluded with a discussion on the use of Defibrillators facilitated by School Principal Martin Kirwan.
The Director General, Gerry Gervin, expressed his gratitude to all in attendance for their contributions over the three days. He complimented all the speakers for their presentations and, in particular, thanked Martin Kirwan, School Principal, and his support staff, for organising the Seminar.
Procurement of Civil Defence Equipment
Civil Defence Procurement Report 2005Expenditure on Civil Defence Equipment in 2005 amounted to €706,000. This includes expenditure on a small number of vans for conversion to ambulances, four wheel drive vehicles, one hundred and eighty VHF Mobile radios and major purchases of personal protective equipment and uniforms. Significant commitments amounting to €465,000 were carried into 2006 a result of unforeseen delays with deliveries. Fig 1.1 depicts the total percentage breakdown of Civil Defence Equipment in 2005.
Fig 1.1 Civil Defence expenditure 2005
Civil Defence Financial Report 2005
Financial Statements for Year Ended 31 December 2005
General Information
Statement of Responsibilities
Statement of System of Internal Financial Control
Report of the Controller and Auditor General
Statement of Accounting Policies
Income and Expenditure Account
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Financial Statements General Information
The Civil Defence Board was established by the Minister for Defence on 7 May 2003 in accordance with the terms of the Civil Defence Act, 2002. Section 11 of the Act provides that the Board shall consist of at least 8 but not more than 14 members who are appointed by the Minister.
The members of the Board in 2005 were as follows:
| January-June 2005 | September-December 2005 |
Chairman
Board Members
Director General
Roscrea Offices
Dublin Offices
Auditor | Mr Patrick Cooney
Cllr Margaret Adams
Mr. Declan Burns
Mr Paddy Durack
Chief Supt. John T. Farrelly
Mr Michael Fitzsimons
Mr Gerry Gervin
Mr Ned Gleeson
Comdt Kevin Houston
Mr Sean Hogan
Mr Tony Kelly
Dr Ann McGarry
Ms Frances Moynihan
Ms Irene O’ Meara
Mr Gerry Gervin
Civil Defence Board Offices
Rosemary Square
Roscrea
Co. Tipperary
Civil Defence School
Ratra House
Phoenix Park
Dublin 8
Comptroller and Auditor General
Dublin Castle
Dublin 2 | Mr Joseph Meagher
Ms Majella Byrne
Ms Kay Caball
Chief Suot John J Farrelly
Mr Gerry Gervin
Mr Ned Gleeson
Mr Sean Hogan
Comdt Kevin Houston
Mr Tony Kelly
Ms Roisin McGuire
Mr Gerry Naylor
Mr Oliver O'Loughlin
Dr Barbara Rafferty
Ms Gabrielle Willis |
Statement of Responsibilities
In accordance with Section 23 of the Civil Defence Act 2002 the Board is required to prepare financial statements in such form as may be approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance. In preparing those financial statements, the Board is required to
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that Civil Defence Board will continue in operation
disclose and explain any material departures from applicable accounting standards.
The Board is responsible for keeping proper books of account which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Board and which enable it to ensure that the financial statements comply with Section 23 of the Act. The Board is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of Civil Defence Board and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the Civil Defence Board
_____________________
Joseph Meagher
Chairman
_____________________
Bill Smith
Director General
Statement of System of Internal Financial Control
On behalf of the members of Civil Defence Board I acknowledge our responsibility for ensuring that an effective system of internal financial control is maintained and operated.
The system can only provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions authorised and properly recorded, and that material errors or irregularities are either prevented or would be
detected in a timely manner.
Key Control Procedures
The Board is taking steps to ensure an appropriate control environment by
clearly defining management responsibilities
establishing formal procedures for reporting significant control failures and ensuring appropriate corrective action.
The Board has identified and evaluated business risks by
identifying the nature, extent and financial implication of risks facing the body including the extent and categories which it regards as acceptable
assessing the likelihood of identified risks occurring
assessing the Board’s ability to manage and mitigate the risks that do occur
assessing the costs of operating particular controls relative to the benefit obtained.
The system of internal financial control is based on a framework of regular management information, administrative procedures including segregation of duties, and a system of delegation and accountability. In particular it includes
a comprehensive budgeting system with an annual budget which is reviewed and agreed by the Board
regular reviews by the Board of monthly and annual financial reports which indicate financial performance against forecasts
setting targets to measure financial and other performance.
The Board, which is intrinsically linked with the Department of Defence for all its financial transactions, relies upon the inherent controls of this association.
The internal audit function of the Department of Defence includes Civil Defence Board in its remit.
Annual Review of Controls
I confirm that, in the year ended 31 December 2005 no review of the effectiveness of the system of internal financial controls was carried out by Civil Defence Board.
_____________________
Joseph Meagher
Chairman
CIVIL DEFENCE BOARD
INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2005
| INCOME | NOTE | 2005
€000 | 2004
€000 |
| GRANT-IN-AID FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE | | 5,767 | 5,593 |
| OTHER INCOME | 1 | 8 | 17 |
| | 5775 | 5,610 |
| TRANSFER FROM CAPITAL ACCOUNT | 8 | 338 | 12 |
| | 6,113 | 5,622 |
| EXPENDITURE | | | |
| GRANT PAYMENTS TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES | 2 | 3,281 | 2,923 |
| OTHER GRANTS | 3 | 18 | 18 |
| STAFF COSTS | 4 | 1,194 | 993 |
| BOARD MEMBERS EXPENSES | 5 | 59 | 61 |
| CENTRAL PURCHASES FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY CIVIL DEFENCE | | 106 | 215 |
| CENTRAL TRAINING | | 174 | 60 |
| CENTRAL EXPENSES | | 44 | 30 |
| INSURANCE | | 237 | 223 |
| DEPRECIATION | 6 | 910 | 920 |
| AUDIT FEE | | 19 | 9 |
| LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF VEHICLES | | 1 | 24 |
| MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES | | 2 | 3 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | | 6,045 | 5,479 |
| | | |
| SURPLUS FOR PERIOD | | 68 | 143 |
| | | |
| SURPLUS CARRIED FORWARD FROM PREVIOS YEAR | | 351 | 208 |
| | | |
| ACCUMULATED SURPLUS AT YEAR END | | 419 | 351 |
| | | |
| | | |
There are no recognised gains or losses, other than those dealt with in the Income and ExpenditureAccount.
The Statement of Accounting Policies and Notes 1 to 9 form part of these Financial Statements. | | | |
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31/12/2005
Statement of Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements are prepared under the accrual method of accounting, except as indicated below, and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are in the form approved by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance.
Accounting Period
These financial statements cover the year to 31 December 2005.
State Grant
Grant-in-aid shown in the Income and Expenditure Account reflect the amounts received in respect of the period.
Tangible Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation charged to the Income and Expenditure Account, is calculated in order to write off the cost of fixed assets over their expected useful lives at the annual rates set out below with the exception of motor vehicles which is depreciated at cost less retained salvage value of 10%.
It Hardware and Software
Office equipment
Communication Equipment
Other Operational Equipment
Firefighting
Furniture and Fittings
Medical
Radiation Monitoring
Rescue
Welfare
Personal Protective Equipment
Motor and Marine | 20%
10%
20%
10%
10%
10%
10%
20%
10%
20%
10% | Straight Line
Straight Line
Straight Line
Straight Line
Straight Line
Straight Line
Straight Line
Straight Line
Straight Line
Straight Line
Straight Line |
Capital Account
The Capital Account balance represents the unamortised value of income used for the purchase of fixed assets.
Pensions
Under section 36 of the Act staff of the Board are civil servants and are members of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme. The costs of this pension scheme are accounted for through a specific Vote and therefore no pension costs and liabilities are attributable to the Board in respect of the pension entitlements of staff.
Grants to Local Authorities
The Board approves and pays grants to local authority civil defence operations on a 70/30 basis, subject to a grant limit.
| 2005
€000 | 2004
€000 |
| Note 7 – Stocks | | |
| Stock at 1 January | 38 | 40 |
| | |
| Add Purchases during the year | 402 | 43 |
| Less Issues in the year | 387 | 45 |
| | |
| STOCK AT 31 DECEMBER 2005 | 53 | 38 |
| Note 6 - Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation | |
| | | | | | |
| Office
Equipment
€000 | Motor and Marine
€000 | Communications Equipment
€000 | IT Hardware and Software
€000 | Other Operations Equipment
€000 | Total
€000 |
| Valuation | | | | | | |
| At 1 January 2005 | 429 | 6,173 | 601 | 110 | 3,317 | 10,630 |
| Additions | 0 | 182 | 15 | 2 | 374 | 573 |
| Disposals | | (12) | | | (120) | (132) |
| | | | | | |
| At 31 December 2005 | 429 | 6,343 | 616 | 112 | 3,571 | 11,071 |
| | | | | | |
| Accumulated Depreciation | | | | | | |
| At 1 January 2005 | 210 | 3,524 | 407 | 77 | 2,538 | 6,756 |
| Charge for Period | 55 | 430 | 93 | 17 | 315 | 910 |
| Disposals | | (11) | | | (120) | (131) |
| | | | | | |
| At 31 December 2005 | 265 | 3,943 | 500 | 94 | 2,733 | 7,535 |
| | | | | | |
| Net Book Values | | | | | | |
| At 31 December 2005 | 164 | 2,400 | 116 | 18 | 838 | 3,536 |
| | | | | | |
| At 31 December 2004 | 219 | 2,649 | 194 | 33 | 779 | 3,874 |
Note 9 – Board Members Transactions
The Board adopted procedures in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Finance in relation
to the disclosure of interests by Board members and these procedures have been adhered to in the year. There
were no transactions in the period in relation to the Board’s activities in which Board members had any beneficial
interest.
Functions of the Civil Defence Board
The functions of the Civil Defence Board are set out in Section 8(1) of the Civil Defence Act 2002.
Functions of the Board are to promote and support the development at national level of civil defence planning and management and, in co-operation with local authorities, to facilitate the implementation of civil defence Measures for the purposes of emergency relief and support;
a) to promote, develop and maintain civil defence as an effective voluntary service in support of the emergency services;
b) to promote the role of civil defence in providing services, in support of the emergency services, to the local community and, for that purpose, to develop programmes designed to enhance those services;
c) with regard to local authorities, to promote co-operation and the co-ordination of their activities with other local authorities, so as to ensure efficiency and economy in performing their functions relating to civil defence;
d) having regard to any plans, howsoever described, relating to the management of emergencies at national level that are prepared and adopted by any Minister of the Government, State agencies or other bodies whose activities relate to civil defence, to establish and promote the development, maintenance and improvement of standards of—
(i) programmes of civil defence education and training including programmes relating to health and safety,
(ii) knowledge, skill and competence of those participating in implementing civil defence
measures, and
(iii) equipment used for civil defence;
f ) to promote public awareness and the dissemination of coordinated information to the public in relation to civil defence and to conduct public information programmes relating to preventive measures aimed at alleviating the effects of emergencies on persons or property;
g) to prepare and adopt, in accordance with section 30, a strategic plan relating to the future development of civil defence and to monitor the implementation of the plan;
h) to advise the Minister in relation to all or any of the following:
(i) such policy matters relating to the operation and future development of civil defence as the Minister may request or as the Board considers appropriate;
(ii) the implementation of measures considered necessary for the effective operation of civil
defence;
(iii) any other matter relating to the Board’s functions as the Board considers appropriate or as requested by the Minister;
i) to conduct and commission research on matters relating to the functions of the Board and for this purpose—
(i) to foster and promote contacts and the exchange of information with educational and research establishments and other bodies involved in civil defence in and outside the State, and
(ii) as it considers appropriate, to publish, in the form and manner that the Board thinks fit, results arising out of that research;
j) in conjunction with Ministers of the Government, State agencies or other bodies whose activities relate to civil defence, having regard to any plans referred to in paragraph (e), to contribute to the development, in co-operation with other states, of civil defence measures;
k) in co-operation with local authorities, to promote the recruitment of persons to perform civil defence tasks and to establish procedures for the registration of those persons;to establish, review and maintain codes of professional conduct for civil defence members;
l) to advise such persons as the Minister may from time to time specify on any matter relating to the Board’s functions;
m) to advise and assist the director general in performing his or her functions;
n) to comply with any general policy directives that the Minister may, from time to time, give to the Board;
o) to perform any additional functions conferred on the Board by order under subsection (4). |