Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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205. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the supports in place to assist Defence Forces families during overseas deployment; if these supports will receive additional investment, and the supports that are in development. [37439/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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When Permanent Defence Force personnel are deployed overseas their families have access to a range of supports throughout the period of the deployment.  

I am advised by military authorities that the Personnel Support Service (PSS) within the Defence Forces, which has at its disposal, trained military support staff and occupational social workers, remains available to all Defence Forces personnel who are deployed and to their families. Contact with the families of deployed personnel is maintained through Military Liaison Officers, supported by PSS staff.  

In addition, a 24 hour confidential counselling service, INSPIRE, which is available to all personnel of the Defence Forces at home or deployed overseas  is also currently available to family members of all military personnel, where the family member is a spouse or partner, or an adult child living at home.