Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Where significant levels of expenditure are proposed, a joint civil-military high level planning and procurement group is the sanctioning authority in accordance with the public spending code. The group meets almost monthly to progress equipment procurement and infrastructural development priorities.

I recognise fully the importance of our Defence Forces personnel and have pursued, and will continue to pursue, an unrelenting approach to ensure that the Defence Forces have the means to provide the capabilities required by Government.

The Government is committed to reaching a strength of 9,500 personnel and recognises that achieving this strength is a key challenge for the Defence Forces. The difference between the strength target of 9,500 and the actual strength has widened since 2012. There are two primary dimensions to this: first, departures and turnover of personnel and, second, recruitment.

The majority of personnel, around 80%, depart prior to the mandatory retirement age for a variety of reasons at a time of their own choosing. The nature of military service requirements leads to a higher level of turnover compared to civilian organisations. The turnover level in 2018 was 8.1% but this was for all departures and includes trainees. The highest turnover since 2002, 8.6%, was seen in 2012. This turnover is not out of line with other military organisations internationally, some of which have higher turnover levels.

It is important to remember, however, that the current challenges, particularly in the Air Corps, in filling certain posts arise due to very specific circumstances. As with many other areas of the public service, challenges in the recruitment and retention of personnel have arisen in a buoyant economy, with many personnel or potential personnel, including pilots, air traffic control staff and Naval Service technicians, having scarce and highly marketable skills. Significant work is under way by civil and military personnel of my Department aimed at addressing these challenges.

Similar to other areas in the public service, the pay of the Permanent Defence Force was reduced during the financial crisis. I recognise the personal impact this had on all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. The reduction in pay was on a graduated basis, with increased rates of deductions for those on higher earnings. These are being unwound in a fair and sustainable manner. Meanwhile, the Public Service Pay Commission has examined recruitment and retention issues in the defence sector and the Government will decide the approach to this.

The Defence Forces representative associations' membership of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions was considered in a recent review of the Defence Forces conciliation and arbitration scheme. There appear to be different views among the associations and perhaps many of their members. I reassure Deputies that the discussion with ICTU is considering feasibility, taking into account that members of the Defence Forces do not have the right to strike, the tasks that Government may require the Defence Forces to undertake and the necessity that command and control arrangements and military discipline are not impinged.

I have addressed many of the calls made in the Opposition motion and, in presenting this counter-motion, I have clarified some of the misunderstandings and inaccuracies. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, will pick up on some of the other aspects of the motion. I acknowledge there are challenges facing the Defence Forces and there is no quick fix to most of these issues. However, my priority as Minister of State remains the safe conduct of operations and training by personnel and to maintain our focus on the White Paper. The White Paper is a settled policy and the Government will not be diverted by any other agenda. I look forward to listening to the rest of the debate.

Deputy Jack Chambers raised a number of issues and I have just 40 seconds to address one of them. He spoke about the high numbers of Defence Forces personnel on the working family payment.

In total, between the Defence Forces and my Department, 124 people are in receipt of the working family payment.

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