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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

The military authorities advise that at the end of October 2023, the number of personnel in the Defence Forces stood at 7,595. The establishment of the Defence Forces was recently increased to 9,589. This increase is intended to expedite implementation of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, through the creation of 89 additional promotional opportunities.

I have previously acknowledged recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces and the initiatives underway to counter these challenges such as ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment. A joint induction training centre has been established in Gormanston, with a view to increasing the throughput of recruits. The maximum age of entry has been increased to 29 years for general service recruits, apprentices, and certain specialists, and fitness test scoring has been amended to maximise induction levels. External HR expertise has also been engaged to validate Defence Forces recruitment efforts and a marine specialist recruitment body has been contracted to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.

Other initiatives include significant progress on pay with current pay rates, including military service allowance, for the ranks of three star private and able seaman in their first three years of service starting at €38,016 in Year 1, rising to €40,700 in Year 3 of service. On being commissioned, a graduate cadet starts on €47,245, and a school leaver cadet starts at €41,962 while in full-time third level education.

Private medical care has been rolled out to all ranks in the Defence Forces

The Deputies will be aware of my recent announcement on the new Naval Service patrol duty allowance to be introduced from 1 January 2024. This allowance will consolidate the current patrol duty allowance and the sea going service commitment scheme.

There have also been improvements in conditions for medical officers. My immediate focus remains on stabilising the numbers of personnel, and to facilitate capacity for further increases. This will enable us to align ultimately with the level of ambition recommended in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and agreed by Government.

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