Results 1-20 of 19,985 for speaker:Micheál Martin in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of the 31 March 2024 the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,510 personnel. This was comprised of 6,087 Army, 701 Air Corps and 722 Naval Service personnel. The agreed overall establishment strength was recently increased by 100 to 9,600 to account for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) appointments. Whilst recruitment and retention challenges...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Following the publication of the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces in March 2023, I set out my priority to develop one Strategic Framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces, fully understood by everyone, that has the appropriate governance and reporting mechanisms, and is properly resourced. The purpose of the Strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together. The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31 March stood at 7,510 personnel comprised of 6,087 Army, 701 Air Corps and 722 Naval Service personnel. Tables containing the specific breakdown of inductions, discharges, applications, interviews and numbers offered employment, as requested...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The recruitment and retention challenges experienced by the Defence Forces, not least in the Naval Service, have been well documented. In an effort to address the continued decline in the overall strength level of the Naval Service, significant investment is being made to enhance the terms and conditions of personnel, in such areas as improved pay and conditions, accommodation and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 20 and 30 together. As I have stated earlier; the Government has now agreed on the necessity to amend the legislation governing our overseas deployments, including with regard to the Triple Lock. The changes proposed will give us the ability to dispatch members of our Defence Forces overseas to respond to situations where UN Security Council members are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Capability priorities (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps and Naval...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Projects (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am informed by my officials that, following communication with Deputy Howlin's office, the focus of this question has been clarified and has been confirmed to relate to my statement in response to PQ 20106/ 24 that; "a Civil Military Project Team comprising Officials from my Department and the Air Corps has been actively working on the delivery of this project and they are being supported...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Following the Government approval of February 2023 and July 2023, Ireland has been participating in the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) through the provision of training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. To date, the Defence Forces has delivered 11 modules of training to Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) personnel via EUMAM Ukraine. A total of 455 UAF personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Capital Expenditure Programme (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Last March, Minister Donohoe published revised multi-annual capital spending allocations across Departments out to 2026. This increased funding will facilitate the progression of key capital projects and programmes under the 2021-30 National Development Plan (NDP). For Defence, this will see the capital allocation rise from its 2024 level of €176 million to €215 million in 2025...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Thank you Deputy for the question. The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 passed second stage in the Dáil on 2 May 2024 and is scheduled for Dáil Committee Stage on 23 May 2024. This Bill is an important step in delivering on the Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces. This is particularly the case in providing for the establishment and operation, on a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of the 31 March 2024 the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,510 personnel. This was comprised of 6,087 Army, 701 Air Corps and 722 Naval Service personnel. The agreed overall establishment strength was recently increased by 100 to 9,600 to account for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) appointments. Changes have been introduced by this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 46 together. The Government remains committed to bolstering the numbers in the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). One such recent measure in support of this commitment has been the increase in upper recruitment and mandatory retirement ages for the RDF to match comparable increases for the Permanent Defence Force, which were brought into effect in March. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats under constant review. It is my priority as Minister for Defence to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity of the Naval Service, Air Corps and Army is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Naval Service, Air Corps and Army are being considered in the context of the capability and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am happy to confirm to the Deputy that no request, official or otherwise, has been received from the European Commission in relation to the strengthening of the Irish Defence Forces. In any case, and as the Deputy will be aware, decision-making power in relation to Defence remain a national competence under the European Treaties, and it remains a matter for Ireland, and any and every...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My officials and I meet regularly with these recognised Veterans Associations to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 38 together. I wish to assure the Deputy of my ongoing commitment, as Minister for Defence, to the removal of the blanket exemption which currently applies to the Defence Forces in the Organisation of Working Time Act . As the Deputy is aware, I recently approved the final management position, on this matter, which was presented to me,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Naval Service stood at 722 personnel as at 31 March 2024. As of the same date, 356 applications were received and there were 31 inductions. I have previously acknowledged the recruitment and retention challenges in the Naval Service and I continue to be committed to maximising recruitment capacity and introducing measures to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 103 together. As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the...