Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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485. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which he plans to increase and stabilise the strength of the Defence Forces at all levels across the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15003/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) of 2019 contains a range of recommendations aimed at improving work-force planning, recruitment and conditions of service for members of the Defence Forces. A High Level Plan to give effect to the recommendations of the PSPC is being implemented.

It should be noted that as the High Level Implementation Plan contains short, medium and long term measures, the full impact of these measures will take time to determine. There are also a range of external variables which impact on recruitment and retention and which can change and these will be carefully monitored to assess their effect as they arise.

While the Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Irish Permanent Defence Force of 9,500 personnel, the capacity of the Defence Forces toinduct and train recruits has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation. This has resulted in the postponement of the majority of inductions in the year to date.

The military authorities have advised that, while the Defence Forces are now resuming inductions and training, taking public health guidelines into account.  The Defence Forces continue to assess the impact such public health guidelines will have on their training capacity.  A campaign to re-enlist former members of the Permanent Defence Force, to fill certain vacancies, is also underway.

The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments aimed at stabilising and restoring the strength of the Defence Forces. An independent Commission will be established to undertake a comprehensive review of the medium and longer term defence requirements of the State. This review will include, inter alia, consideration of pay, allowances ,recruitment retention and career progression of members of the Defence Forces. It is also intended that on completion of this review, a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces will be established.