Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

4. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to purchase a military jet aircraft for the Defence Forces to assist troops returning from overseas duties and also assist with duties at home. [25173/21]

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

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible. This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process.

In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas. Budget 2021 provides a Capital allocation of €131m for investment in Defence equipment and barracks infrastructure and will enable continued investment in major equipment platforms such as Defence Forces vehicle fleet. The increased capital funding for 2021 builds on increased levels of capital expenditure totalling €392m over the years 2018 – 2020.

In relation to air-based capability, my immediate priorities have been the acquisition of three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role and for two Airbus C295 maritime patrol aircraft. An additional PC-12 was also acquired in response to the Covid 19 situation. No decisions have been made for the acquisition of additional aircraft in other roles. Some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of these enhanced capabilities.

While the option of acquiring a wider military lift capability has been mentioned, it is not identified as an action for acquisition in the present 5 year Equipment Development Plan, which was developed through a joint civil-military approach. Much of this longer range lift capability for military purposes is provided by way of chartering aircraft through a competitive procurement process on an as-required basis. To date, this has been considered to be the most cost effective approach taking account of the acquisition, running and maintenance costs of larger aircraft in the context of their expected usage and contingency requirements. The overall priorities in the EDP will remain under review as it is progressively implemented and taking account of funding availability.

With regard to domestic duties, while the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in an Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role.

As part of the Defence Organisation, the Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role. The Air Corps also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis including the provision of air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE). This support is underpinned by agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

In relation to other requests for support, the Air Corps and indeed the Defence Forces, can be made and are made available, within current means and capabilities, as the need arises. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government COVID-19 response while retaining, at all times, a contingent capacity to provide Aid to the Civil Power support.

Given the unique situation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional PC-12 NG aircraft was purchased to provide immediate additional fixed wing capacity. This aircraft provides the Air Corps with a further agile resource to service urgent requests from the HSE and other agencies of the State. Over the last year, the Air Corps have been involved in the transportation of COVID-19 tests to Germany in direct support of the effort to fight COVID-19, as well as fulfilling a broad range of other security and non-security roles as detailed above.

I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources available to them, including a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

7. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he expects the numbers in the Defence Forces to reach the approved threshold of 9,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24899/21]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

17. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of new recruits that have enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24901/21]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 17 together.

The military authorities have advised that, 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). There are a number of factors, many of which are hard to predict, which will impact on the timeframe within which this will be achieved.

I have acknowledged that there are on-going difficulties in the Defence Forces, and these have been well-documented in the Air Corps and Naval Service. A sea-going service commitment scheme and a tax credit, both for sea-going Naval Service personnel, are examples of targeted measures I have introduced. These 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 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.

A key measure to address recruitment and retention challenges is the implementation of the report of the Public Service Pay Commission. This report contained a range of pay and non-pay measures. Some recommendations were applied immediately while others were progressed through a series of projects, most of which are implemented and the others are nearing finalisation. The Defence Forces have also benefited from pay increases under successive Public Sector Pay Agreements. Other measures are being considered in the context of the new public sector pay agreement.

A Commission on the Defence Forces has also been tasked with examining a range of issues and this work is underway. On completion of the work of the Commission, I will consult with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the establishment of a permanent pay review body for the PDF, reflecting the unique nature of military service in the context of the public service.

Increasing the capacity of the Defence Forces will take time. However, I can assure the Deputy that the challenges are being addressed and work in this regard is a priority for civil and military management and myself.