Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the technical pay agreement concluded with the Defence Forces in 2019 has not been implemented. [23899/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A review of technical pay in the Defence Forces was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The purpose of the review, in the context of the agreement, was to rationalise existing technical pay arrangements and consider if the requirements could be met in a more cost effective manner. A review of Technical Pay Group 1 was conducted in 2014 and came into effect at the beginning of 2015.

While the review of Technical Grades 2-6 was underway, the recommendation from the Public Service Pay Commission relating to the review which related to retention of personnel, was substantially different to the focus of the original review. The Public Service Pay Commission recommended that the review of Technical Pay Groups 2 - 6, be completed at the earliest opportunity, without compromising the Public Service Stability Agreement.

An initial report (October 2019) and final report (January 2020) were completed. The approach to implementing the findings of the review of Technical Grades 2-6 remains under consideration. My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to finalising this matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

20. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current position in regard to the optimum strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24969/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The military authorities have advised that the whole time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force, across all services and ranks, as at 31st March 202, was 8,524 personnel comprised of

6,885 - Army; 739 - Air Corps; 900 - Naval Service.

I am aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the overall current strength figures and that of the establishment. I remain committed to restoring the strength of the Permanent Defence Force to 9,500 personnel and there are positive developments which are restoring capacity in certain areas which were previously significantly depleted. However, further work is required.

Recruitment is ongoing and has resulted in 149 personnel being inducted as at 30 April 2021 and further inductions are planned. General Service recruitment continues and the 2021 Cadet competition has recently launched. The Air Corps Apprentice competition, closed in March 2021, attracted 663 applications and these are currently being processed.

There has been significant progress in pay within the Defence Forces arising from the Public Service Pay Commission recommendations and the benefits of recent pay agreements. A new pay agreement provides an opportunity for further increases should it be accepted by the Permanent Defence Forces Representative Associations. A range of non-pay measures, aimed at attracting people into and making a career in the Defence Forces more attractive, have also been progressed.

A Commission on the Defence Forces has also been established to examine a range of matters relating to the Defence Forces, and I am aware that the Commission is consulting widely. I look forward to receiving their recommendations in due course.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Post Office building in the Defence Forces Training Centre, which was a feature of the military installation for many years, was closed in July 2019. My Department was not involved in the decision to discontinue its use as a Post Office.

As this building is within an active military installation, its long term use will be determined first and foremost by the military authorities. The future use and any associated refurbishment works for this building will be determined by the long term use it is to be put to. My Department and the military authorities will of course be guided by the County Council in terms of any works required to safeguard the architectural importance of the building. This collaborative approach has worked very successfully with Dublin City and Cork County Councils in relation to major renovation projects for historical important buildings in McKee Barracks and Block 8 on Haulbowline Island. Any future building project will be incorporated into the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Plan.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

22. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will confirm that the Defence Forces cadets who were recently awarded the payment of military service allowance following a third party adjudication finding after their training was suspended in order to be deployed on contact tracing for the HSE will be paid in full, in keeping with the normal payment of this allowance as recommended by the adjudicator. [24896/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) submitted a claim to the Conciliation Council on the 23rd April, 2020. This claim had sought the payment of Military Service Allowance (MSA) to Cadets when deployed on contact tracing duties in support of the HSE during the COVID-19 crisis.

The matter went to third party adjudication and the hearing took place on 17 February 2021.

This matter is still currently being processed through the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. As discussions in the scheme are confidential to the parties concerned, it would not be appropriate to comment further on this matter.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

23. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to recruit and improve retention within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24890/21]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures his Department plans to take to address the shortage of Naval Service staff. [25146/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 57 together.

As at 31st March 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, was 8,524 personnel. The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).

I have acknowledged in the past that there are on-going difficulties in the Defence Forces, and these have been well-documented. The sea-going service commitment scheme and an extension of a tax credit, both for sea-going Naval Service personnel, are examples of targeted measures I have introduced which are aimed at retaining experienced personnel. This follows the reintroduction of a successful service commitment scheme for Flying Officers in the Air Corps.

Recruitment is ongoing and has resulted in 149 personnel being inducted as at 30 April 2021 and further inductions are planned. General Service recruitment continues and the Cadet competition was launched recently. The Air Corps Apprentice competition, closed in March 2021, attracted 663 applications and these are currently being processed.

Further initiatives, that also play a role in restoring capacity and in boosting specialist’s numbers, include:

The campaign to re-enlist and re-commission former members of the Permanent Defence Force. This campaign has resulted in 15 re-commissioning officers and 42 re-enlisting personnel being inducted in 2020 and 1 re-commissioning officer and 14 re-enlisting personnel being inducted in 2021 as at 30th April. Along with direct entry provision for Doctors, direct entry is also currently utilised in the Naval Service for the recruitment of specialists with further competitions being progressed. For these Naval Service specialties, sanction has been received to provide for direct entry at a higher point on the salary scale where previous earnings indicate earnings in excess of the first point on the scale.

There has been significant progress on pay within the Defence Forces arising from the Public Service Pay Commission recommendations and increases from recent pay agreements. A new pay agreement provides an opportunity for further increases, should it be accepted by the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations.

A Commission on the Defence Forces has also been established to examine a range of matters relating to the Defence Forces and are consulting widely. I look forward to receiving their recommendations in due course.