Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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6. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to provide an update on his engagement with PDFORRA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22898/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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This question is to ask the Tánaiste to provide an update on his engagement with PDFORRA and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for the question. Since taking up my role as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence last December, I have met with representatives of PDFORRA on three separate occasions to date. These were on 13 February to discuss a range of pay and conditions matters, on 27 March to update the association on the recent report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces, and on 2 May to seek the views of the association on that report and on draft terms of reference for a statutory inquiry, which is one of the key recommendations in the report.

I further welcomed the opportunity to attend and speak at PDFORRA's annual delegate conference on 9 May, just last week.  At that conference, I addressed delegates on several key issues facing the Defence Forces.  I highlighted the important service provided by the Defence Forces and the significant risk that comes with it. This risk sadly became a reality with the tragic events in the context of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, last December, which resulted in the tragic death of Private Seán Rooney and injuries being sustained by three other members of our Defence Forces.

I also used the opportunity at the conference to acknowledge the range of improvements made over the last year with regard to pay and conditions. I outlined several significant recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces which have been delivered, including temporary associate membership of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, for the purpose of participation in public sector pay negotiations; changes to pay and allowance structures for personnel in the first three years of service, resulting in starting pay of €37,147 in year one for a three-star private; and the delivery of a commission recommendation on extending healthcare provision for enlisted personnel.

4 o’clock

In addition, I referred to the issue of post 1994 contracts for enlisted personnel and announced that I had secured an interim arrangement that will allow for the continuance in service to the end of 2024 for those privates and corporals recruited on or after 1 January 1994 who would be due to retire on age grounds before that date, subject to their meeting established criteria.

I also announced the delivery of a programme for Government commitment and Commission on Defence Forces recommendation on the extension of healthcare provision for enlisted personnel. Agreement has been reached in principle to allow all enlisted members of the Defence Forces to benefit from the same access to private secondary health care as officers, thanks to the co-operation and assistance of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and colleagues in government more generally.

In addition, I referred to the recent IRG report on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

I took the opportunity to again express my deep appreciation to all the groups, including serving and former personnel and the Women and Men of Honour, who have come forward. In conclusion, I have had a range of recent engagement with PDFORRA and I look forward to further continued constructive engagement with the Defence Forces representative associations.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister. I welcome that budget 2023 provided the largest amount ever for the defence sector. We are now in a very competitive employment market. The role the Defence Forces play is extremely important. When they are abroad, they provide a very good service to the UN, as well as part of an EU peacekeeping project. It is important that we provide the level of support and remuneration that they deserve.

The Reserve Defence Force provides significant service to the Defence Forces and the State. The report published by the Commission on Defence Force in 2022 made particular reference to increasing the size and scope of the reserve by integrating it into military planning and making it available for deployment overseas. What engagement has taken place in that regard? How could that part of the Defence Forces be further expanded?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the pay front, very significant progress has been made, in particular on starting pay. As I said, the extension of private secondary health care and other allowances have been worked on. We will continue to try to improve the overall situation in terms of the remuneration package that Defence Forces personnel receive. The minimum for trained personnel comprises basic pay and military service allowances. That should not be missed in any calculations that are being made. The starting pay is now comparable, if not better, than any other areas of work in the private sector, in particular those coming out of school with the leaving certificate or a graduate on commission in the very first year.

We set up a new office of the RDF. I met the chief of staff and put a particular priority on this area. We have changed a number of procedures in terms of recruitment. There is strong interest in joining the RDF and we need to accelerate the recruitment, retention and training of reserves.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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A number of people will automatically retire from the Defence Forces. Is the Minister satisfied that we will attract a sufficient number of new people into the Defence Forces over the next three to four years? It is of concern that numbers have decreased. We need to make sure that we not only maintain numbers but increase them.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of measures, such as pay and so on. A new integrated multidisciplinary state-of-the-art training centre is being developed in Gormanston where all recruits, be they Air Corps, Navy or Army, will be together. We have more to do in that regard. I am confident that with the continued investment we are committed to, we can significantly improve the situation.

There is huge choice out there in the economy at the moment. The unemployment rate is below 4%. We are working with the Defence Forces and pressing upon them the need to continue to change the culture, as we increase resources through investment in capability, facilities, pay and allowances and general overall conditions to make it a very attractive proposition for young people.