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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 85 together.

The Naval Service is currently adopting a three-ship operational posture, which sees the four P60 class vessels on patrol in operational rotation. The decision to reduce the number of operational ships was made as a result of the previously acknowledged recruitment and retention difficulties in the Naval Service, in particular for specialist positions. The following ships make up that operational posture: the LÉ Samuel Beckett, the LÉ James Joyce, the LÉ William Butler Yeats, P63, and the LÉ George Bernard Shaw. In addition to the four OPV classes, the LÉ Róisín is currently in operational reserve while the LÉ Niamh is in the process of completing a mid-life extension programme, after which she will enter operational reserve. Two inshore patrol vessels were purchased on a government-to-government basis from New Zealand in 2022 and were delivered to the naval base in Haulbowline in May 2023. The LÉ Aoibhinn, P71, is subject to final assessments and completion of any necessary works to ensure that it will be operational by the end of July. The deployment of the LÉ Gobnait, P72, will follow entry into operational service later this year.

There is no easy fix to the current retention and recruitment challenges facing the Naval Service and the wider organisation, which are well documented, but the commitment, courage and excellence of our serving members is clear. I am committed to radically overhauling both the built environment and working conditions for the men and women of the Defence Forces throughout the country. I am ramping up investment in every aspect of the Naval Service in order to address the current recruitment and retention issues. Earlier this year, I announced the doubling of the patrol duty allowance paid to Naval Service personnel. This measure took effect from 1 January 2024. This measure provides greater clarity on the overall package available to our Naval Service personnel and potential recruits.

There are a number of initiatives currently under way to counter ongoing staffing challenges. These include bespoke Naval Service recruitment advertising to augment the ongoing recruitment campaign, which remains open throughout the year. Proposals for direct entry competitions within the Naval Service have also been progressed and implemented. I have instructed that the recruitment function for the Naval Service be outsourced in line with the recommendations in the CPL report. Third, a contract has been awarded to a marine recruitment specialist company to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service. A seagoing naval personnel tax credit of €1,500 has been further extended into the 2024 tax year. A further increase in the retirement age to 62 years will be made when relevant enabling primary legislation is introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

This will greatly enhance retention levels.

There has been a substantial capital investment in my Department, with over €147 million worth of Defence Forces infrastructure development plan projects currently under way. Many of these are specific to addressing operational and living-in accommodation requirements. Some €97 million worth of projects included in the IDP relate to naval base infrastructure projects, which are at various stages of the design and procurement process. My focus remains on stabilising the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

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