Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the failure to implement the technical pay agreement negotiated in July 2019 between the Government and the Defence Forces. [34597/21]

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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26. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the approved technical pay grade 2-6 proposal will be paid to enlisted members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34703/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 26 together.

I presume the Deputy is alluding to the review of technical pay in the Defence Forces which was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The Deputy will wish to be aware that the Minister for Public Expediture and Reform on 25 May 2021 conveyed sanction for the implementation of the findings of the review.

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 and the approach to implementing the findings of the review of Technical Grades 2-6 was the subject of extensive enagement with the Department of Public Expediture and Reform. At the conclusion of that process the Minister for Public Expediture and Reform on 25 May 2021 conveyed sanction for the implementation of the findings. Discussions are currently underway with PDFORRA regarding the application of the recommendations and the process and timelines for implementation.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on any recent engagement with representative organisations from the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34514/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provided for the establishment of representative associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force. The associations that have since been established are RACO (for commissioned officers) and PDFORRA (for enlisted personnel).

The scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence Force provides a formal mechanism for the determination of claims and proposals from the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations relating to remuneration and conditions of service.

Officials from my Department continue to work with the Representative Associations in a positive and collaborative process within the C&A Scheme to resolve issues. There is also ongoing engagement on a regular basis between the Official side and the Representative side on a range of items which are processed through C&A.

Since my appointment as Minister for Defence, I have met with the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) on three occasions: 17 July 2020, 20 October 2020 and 17 December 2020 and with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) on four occassions: 17 July 2020, 20 October 2020, 17 December 2020 and most recently on 24th May 2021. I have also met with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association on one occasion on 23 November 2020.

I look forward to further continued constructive engagement with the Defence Forces Representative Associations and I can assure the Deputy that I, and my Department, will continue to engage with the Representative Associations on all matters that fall within the scope of representation.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [34600/21]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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43. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces; when the work of the Commission will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34625/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 43 together.

The Programme for Government committed to an independent Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces and include the following matters;

- Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea.

- Structure and size of the Defence Forces encompassing capabilities, structures and staffing.

- Appropriate governance and high level command and control.

- Pay and allowances structures.

- Recruitment, retention and career progression.

- Leverage the capabilities of the Reserve Defence Force in their supports to the Permanent Defence Force and make service in the RDF more attractive.

This independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Government also approved the Terms of Reference, based on the Programme for Government, and the membership of the Commission. The Commission’s overall approach will be guided and informed by both the White Paper on Defence 2015 and the White Paper Update 2019. The work of the Commission will inform the future development of the Defence Forces.

As part of a broader consultation process, the Commission invited submissions from individuals and organisations on issues relevant to its Terms of Reference. The Commission received over 500 submissions, a number of which have recently been published on their website.

The Commission has been established as an independent body and, while it is a matter entirely for the Commission, I understand that the Commission has met with a broad stakeholder group including the Defence Forces Representative Associations, commissioned and enlisted members of the Defence Forces, senior officials and personnel from my Department and the Defence Forces as well as other groups. Site visits to Military locations by members of the Commission have already taken place and I understand that further site visits recommenced in June 2021 and will continue over the Summer if Covid restrictions permit.

The Chairman of the Commission Mr. Aidan O'Driscoll also met with members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in April to discuss the on-going work of the Commission.

The establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces underpins the Government's commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision beyond 2030. The Commission is to submit their report by the end of the year and it will be considered fully at that time.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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22. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent of current and or proposed overseas troop deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34603/21]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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28. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces in the Lebanon currently; and the number considered a full and complete cohort. [34612/21]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently on overseas service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34676/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 28 and 52 together.

As of 8 June 2021, Ireland is contributing 564 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 337 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 136 personnel.

The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment and on 4 May 2021 the Government approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNIFIL for a further 12 month period. The Irish contingent serves as part of a joint Ireland/Poland Battalion, with additional officers from both Hungary and Malta. The 118th Infantry Battalion deployed to UNIFIL during May on a six-month tour of duty. The full cohort of personnel provided for as part Ireland's commitment to the joint Ireland/Poland Battalion, comprises three hundred and forty one Irish personnel and eleven personnel from Malta.

In relation to UNDOF, Defence Forces personnel are currently based in Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation. On 9 June 2021, the Government approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNDOF for a 12 month period up to June 2022.

Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with 20 personnel; MINUSMA, the UN authorised operation in Mali with 14 personnel, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in Israel and Syria with 12 personnel, the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with 2 personnel, the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) with 3 personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with 5 personnel, the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 13 personnel and the EU Naval mission (Operation Irini) with 3 personnel. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.

The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the Strengthening our Defence Forces - Implementation Plan. [34679/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by the Government at that time and, to facilitate implementation, an extensive High Level Plan titled "Strengthening our Defence Forces – Phase One” was also agreed and published on the same date.

There are fifteen projects in total, the status of which is as follows.

The immediate pay measures set out in the plan i.e. an increase in Military Service Allowance, the reversal of 10% cuts to allowances under the Haddington Road Agreement, and the restoration of weekend premium rates for overtime were implemented immediately upon their acceptance by the PDF Representative Associations in late 2019. A service commitment scheme for pilots was also re-introduced, with very positive uptake.

On the project Review of Technical Pay Groups 2 – 6, sanction has recently been received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to proceed with the recommendations in the report. This will now be progressed through the Department’s Conciliation and Arbitration Process.

The Review of Pay Structures project, led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, was intended to examine pay structures in the Defence Forces and to fall under the new public service pay agreement “Building on Momentum”. However, in the intervening period, the Commission on the Defence Forces was tasked with examining pay structures and also with some aspects of pay under the sectoral bargaining arrangements of this agreement.

The recommendations of a further project dealing with incentivised long service arrangements for NCOs and other ranks, will be considered in the context of the sectoral bargaining element of “Building on Momentum”.

The project relating to Bespoke Management training for leaders and managers was completed in July 2020. The project on Non-Pay Retention Measures in the PDF was completed in October 2020. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy was launched by me on 2nd December 2020. A further project to develop a Professional Military Education strategy was completed in March 2021 and the Strategy will be launched by me in the very near future. The project relating to additional specialist posts for high turnover/long lead in appointments was finalised in April 2021.

The report relating to the review of recruitment in the PDF has been completed and will be submitted for my approval imminently.

Of the two outstanding projects, the project examining Barriers to Extended Participation in the PDF was split into two phases. Phase 1, focussed on reviewing mandatory retirement ages for Officers and is nearing completion pending clarification from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a matter relating to pension rules.

Phase 2 of this project, to examine the contracts of service for enlisted personnel, has commenced and is at an advanced stage. It had previously been agreed with PDFORRA that enlisted privates and corporals who had reached 21 years’ service, could remain in service until they reach age 50 until end 2022. Sergeants are also permitted to serve beyond 50 until that date. These measures gave this phase of the review scope to take place in an extended timeframe.

The final project, looking at the embedding of strategic workforce planning in the Defence Forces has commenced and its work is ongoing. A detailed supply side analysis has been completed and the next phase, an examination of the demand side, will commence shortly. The work has been facilitated, to date, by an external HR advisor. As this is a long term project it will be progressed through the joint civil/military Strategic Human Resources Group.