Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Durkan raised an important issue. We have to pursue, in parallel with the statutory inquiry and dealing comprehensively with the recommendations of the IRG, the issue of increasing capability within the Defence Forces.

That is why I mentioned the need for one overall plan to transform the Defence Forces. Culture has to change. What Women of Honour brought to light and what the independent review group has outlined is not to be separated from recruitment and retention issues. There is a need for culture change.

In answer to Deputy Burke, we are at 3.8% unemployment. We will have challenges for some time yet. We have outlined a range of measures to deal with recruitment and retention. I am concerned about the situation in the Naval Service and have had a series of meetings with the flag officer and Chief of Staff on optimising current resources to fulfil our obligations in fisheries protection, on the maritime front and more generally across the Defence Forces. We recently announced eligibility for secondary health services for all enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces, which is a significant progress point. Pay has gone up significantly for new recruits. For those coming out of leaving certificate, it is more than €37,000, and €46,000 for a graduate joining.

We need to continue to work on broader issues relating to recruitment and retention, particularly in terms of early retirement. I got responses already from Government and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform on extending the retirement age for those heading to 2024 and am working with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to see if we can, with other Departments, extend the retirement age more significantly because that is one early route to retaining people longer in our Defence Forces.

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