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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Recruitment and retention of Defence Forces personnel is a significant challenge, which I have acknowledged on a number of occasions. The Government will continue to work to ensure the Defence Forces remain an attractive option as a career choice for both existing and potential members. Considerable progress has been made to address potential barriers to recruitment and retention. A number of financial and non-financial retention initiatives are being implemented, including an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62, an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39, the doubling of the Naval Service patrol duty allowance after ten days at sea in a calendar year, extension of the Naval Service tax credit for a further five years, and the extension of the provision of private secondary healthcare to all members of the Permanent Defence Force. These measures have been taken in addition to significant progress on pay.

The provision of professional training and instruction in the Defence Forces is also essential in the context of recruitment and retention. Additional measures have being taken to streamline the recruitment process and further work is being progressed to provide the capacity within the organisation to accept greater numbers at induction. Initial indications, are positive, particularly in the context of the number of expressions of interest received to join the Defence Forces.

There is a critical role to be undertaken by Defence Forces instructors in converting applicants to cadets and recruits and in providing the necessary ongoing professional training of Defence Forces personnel. These instructors are instrumental in delivering a future-focused modern Defence Forces organisation. In recognition of the role of officer instructors, I am pleased to say that I have secured agreement, in principle, with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to incentivise qualified officers who upskill to meet modern training standards. Professionalised instructors will play a critical role in ensuring training is carried out in observance of the organisational culture aspired to. Instructors must possess advanced education, specialist expertise and substantial experience. The introduction of an appropriate payment will recognise both the important role undertaken by instructing officers and also acknowledge and reward this higher level of professionalisation that is now expected.

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