Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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302. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which surveillance or fighter jets have been reported off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34959/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Air Corps is not tasked or equipped to monitor and communicate with aircraft overflying Irish airspace, military or otherwise and irrespective of whether the transponder is switched on or not. However, on a routine basis the Air Corps monitors and communicates with foreign military aircraft where such aircraft are flying in the airspace in the vicinity of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, where air traffic control is provided by the Defence Forces.

The IAA exercises Air Traffic Control responsibilities for an airspace of some 450,000 sq. kms comprising of both sovereign airspace and also airspace over the high seas, largely off the western seaboard. All air traffic, both civil and military, is monitored and controlled by the IAA in respect of this airspace and in line with ICAO rules it is normal practice for the IAA to be informed by the relevant State of any military flights operating in Irish controlled airspace.

The Department of Transport has overall responsibility for the development and formulation of national policy in the field of aviation security, and for aviation security obligations under all national and international legislation. The National Aviation Security Committee meets regularly, under the chairmanship of the Department of Transport. The Department of Defence and the Air Corps are members of this committee.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable them to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.

For the Deputy's awareness, it remains Government policy, as per the 2015 White Paper on Defence, that should additional funding, beyond that provided for in existing plans, become available the development a radar surveillance capability will be considered. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence, reinforced by the White Paper Update 2019, as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process.

The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020 provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects to be advanced over the next five years. The EDP includes reference to a primary radar project. Consideration of this project will be prioritised should additional appropriate funding become available. The overall priorities in the EDP will remain under review as it is progressively implemented and taking account of funding availability.

Acquisition of primary radar capability would have to be assessed against the significant investment of public funds, in respect of both the initial investment and the on-going operational costs, which would have to be considered alongside other spending priorities and the nature of the threats Ireland faces.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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303. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which efforts are being made to bring the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps up to optimum levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34961/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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307. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which strength of the Defence Forces throughout its entirety remains adequate to meet any exigencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34965/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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310. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women in senior positions in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34968/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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312. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the numbers in the Defence Forces have fluctuated in the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34970/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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313. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who retired or resigned in each of the past five years; the number of replacements recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34971/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 307, 310, 312 and 313 together.

The military authorities have advised that, as at 31st May 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, was 8,570 personnel comprised of:

- Army6,954

- Air Corps732

- Naval Service884

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). However, there are a number of factors, some of which are hard to predict, which will impact on the timeframe within which this will be achieved.

In order to achieve this target, as well as a broad range of retention measures, there is significant on-going recruitment. This will continue throughout the year and includes General Service Recruits, Cadets, Aircraft Apprentice Technicians and Direct Entry Specialists. As of 30th April 2021, 228 personnel have been inducted.

The tables below shows the wholetime equivalent strength of females in the Permanent Defence Force, by rank, as at 31st May 2021:-

">Tables

*Wholetime equivalent strength, as at 31st December for 2016-2020, and as at 31st May in 2021.

The discharge figures above include personnel who left for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges. It should also be noted that a long term average of some 25% of personnel who depart do so prior to completion of their initial training.

The capacity of the Defence Forces to undertake the tasks assigned by Government continues to be carefully monitored to ensure they retain their capacity to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and abroad.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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304. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which the upgrading of equipment such as aircraft, sea-going vessels and transport vehicles continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34962/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments.

The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects which will be progressed over five years. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that our Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas. The current position regarding the major equipment platform projects is as follows.

The mid-life upgrade of the Army’s fleet of 80 General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles is well underway. This programme is on-going and continues to command significant resources and commitment of effort. The vehicle, which is the backbone of Defence Forces armoured capability, has been well proven in all its roles since the first vehicles were introduced in 2001. To date, some 54 vehicles have been upgraded including modernisation of protection systems and weapons. The overall programme is due to be completed by 2023. In addition, an order for 28 Armoured Utility Vehicles AUVs was recently placed with Centigon, a French company, and these will provide a level of protected mobility between the levels of soft-skinned light transport and heavier armoured vehicles. Delivery of these vehicles is expected to complete in 2021.

There is also continuous investment in the non-armoured vehicle fleet. In 2019, a contract was signed with Toyota Ireland for the replacement of the Army's fleet of 3/4 tonne 4X4 vehicles, the first of which entered service in early 2020. In March of last year, a tender process was completed for the supply of one hundred and twenty (120) new 4X4 Troop Carrying Vehicles, with the award of a contract to Westward Scania, based in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The first vehicles were delivered in Q1 2021 with delivery of all 120 vehicles concluding by 2023. Funding is provided on an on-going basis for the required maintenance of vehicles in the military transport fleet, both at home and overseas.

With regard to Defence Forces communications systems, there is continued investment in the development of suitable network enabled communications in order to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex operational environment. In July of 2020 a tender competition was commenced for the supply of Software Defined Radios to the Defence Forces and the competition is currently underway. The scope of the project consists of two main requirements; Personal Soldier Radios and Multi-Band Handheld, Manpack, Vehicular and Airborne radios. Given the complexity of the requirements, the procurement process is expected to be comprehensive in nature with the first radios not expected to enter service before 2023.

A step change in military air-based capability is being achieved through the delivery into service of Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. While nominally a replacement for the Cessna, the new aircraft move capabilities considerably ahead of the previous level. The original order of three aircraft which were delivered in September 2020 was augmented on an urgent basis by an additional aircraft delivered in April 2020 to enhance fixed wing capacity to meet demands arising from Covid-19. The PC-12 has proven itself an effective and versatile asset.

The White Paper also provides for the replacement of the CASA 235s with consideration to be given to their replacement with larger more capable aircraft which would enhance maritime surveillance and provide a greater degree of utility for transport and cargo carrying tasks. A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was entered into with Airbus Defence and Space in December 2019, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023.

The White Paper on Defence also sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh, as well as, in due course, the replacement of LÉ Eithne. The P50 mid-life upgrade programme is well underway, with the recent return to operations of LÉ Roisín and work commencing on LÉ Niamh. The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) is the next scheduled component of the White Paper fleet investment programme. Projects for other vessel replacement will be considered over the life-time of the White Paper in the context of overall capability development and funding and the Equipment Development Plan (EDP) process. The MRV project is currently underway and will be progressed over the coming years.

The examples given, whilst not exhaustive, demonstrate my commitment to update and upgrade the Defence Forces equipment and capability, within the financial envelope available. In accordance with the National Development Plan, the capital allocation for Defence was increased to €113 million for 2020, an increase of €7 million. Budget 2021 provides for a further increased gross allocation to €131m in the defence capital budget in respect of equipment and barracks infrastructure. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and builds on the significant investment programme over recent years.

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

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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305. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which health and safety checks are carried out on a regular basis throughout the Defence Forces in respect of all equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34963/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments.

The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020 provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects which will be progressed over five years. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that our Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas. The equipment planning process recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging operational requirements and changes in technology and this is an ongoing process.

I am advised by the military authorities that General Routine Order 05/2015 ‘Health and Safety Management in the Defence Forces’ sets out the Defence Forces health and safety risk management system, which is designed to control risk and continually improve health and safety risk performance through proactive and effective health and safety risk management. The arrangements, systems and risk controls are based on legislative requirements and the risks identified within the Defence Forces. The health and safety risk management system includes a policy on work equipment.

This policy on health and safety of work equipment describes the Defence Forces methodology for the assessment of risk arising from work equipment. It provides guidance for military personnel, civilian employees and other relevant persons on the risk assessment process and control measures to be implemented to reduce the risk of injury from work equipment to a level that is as low as is reasonably practicable.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces have the necessary policies and procedures in place in line with best international practice in order to ensure the highest standards of health and safety in respect of the use of equipment to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government, and that such policies and procedures are kept under review.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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308. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces continue to be capable of meeting any emergencies, natural disasters or security threats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34966/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non security related tasks. The Defence Forces continue to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including security operations, critical supports to An Garda Síochána and ATCA supports to other Government Departments and Principal Response Agencies. In particular, in recent times, the Defence Forces have played an important role in the Covid 19 response through providing a broad range of supports to the HSE.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.

At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency.

In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to emergencies such as severe weather events or terrorist attacks rests with the three designated principal response agencies, namely, the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Service Executive. The Defence Forces provides assistance within means to the appropriate Lead Department or Principal Response Agency in the event of a natural disaster or an emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) and Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) roles. Major Emergency Plans have been developed by local and regional authorities and these Plans identify the procedures for requesting assistance from the Defence Forces.

In respect of security threats, responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. In that regard, among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2015) is the provision of ATCP which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. There is on-going and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including ATCP deployments and includes military training activities which are specifically designed to respond to possible security emergencies. Regular coordination and liaison meetings also take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues

The Defence Forces retain a wide range of specialist skills and equipment which are available for deployment in response to any emergencies that may arise. Training is also an important aspect of maintaining the necessary capabilities in the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces deliver military training programmes and modules meeting national and international standards. They also engage with external educational institutions in order to facilitate organisational learning. This engagement with national and international educational institutions, military and civilian, aims to ensure that the Defence Forces retain currency with regards to best international practice and employ all relevant modern training methods.

I am committed to ensuring that the personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be equipped and trained to best international standards and I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats and emergencies under constant review. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces will continue to respond in an effective and timely manner to such events were they to occur in the state.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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311. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if an evaluation has been carried out in respect of potential weaknesses in the Defence Forces with a view to addressing the issues in the short to medium-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34969/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence, approved by Government in July 2015, resulted from a comprehensive examination of Defence requirements. It provides the defence policy framework for the period up to 2025. This policy framework is designed to be flexible and responsive given the dynamic nature of the security environment and enables the Defence Organisation to be adaptive to changing circumstances and to use resources as efficiently as possible.

Within this context, the White Paper contains the Government's decision to put in place a fixed cycle of defence reviews. The first such review, the White Paper on Defence - Update 2019, which was approved by Government, was published in December 2019 and includes an updated assessment of the security environment. Threats in the cyber domain, and from espionage, are assessed as increasing, while the wider political global environment is now more complex and uncertain. Changes since the 2015 White Paper are also addressed, including human resource issues, implementation of commitments made in the White Paper and capability developments.

While the Update acknowledges that there are challenges in certain areas, it affirms the fundamentals of our approach to defence policy that were settled when the White Paper was approved in 2015. The next iteration in the fixed cycle of reviews is to be a Strategic Defence Review.

In order to further consider the medium and longer term defence requirements of the State, a commitment was given in the Programme for Government to establish an Independent Commission on the Defence Forces. This Commission and it's terms of reference were approved by Government in December last year. The Commission subsequently commenced their work and will continue to work throughout 2021 with their report due in December 2021. The Commission will review matters such as the structure of the Defence Forces, pay and allowances structures, recruitment retention and career progression and the contribution of the Reserve Defence Force. The work of the Commission will inform the future development of the Defence Forces.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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314. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which pay and conditions throughout the Defence Forces remain under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34972/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements. The Department of Defence does not have discretion to award separate pay increases. Whilst pay has been highlighted as an issue, there has been significant progress in recent years.

The Defence Forces have received pay increases in line with the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the most recent of which was a 2% increase on annualised salaries from 1 October 2020.

The restoration of the 5% cut in allowances imposed under the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation, was also restored from 1 October 2020.

In addition to the general round of pay increases awarded to public servants, members of the Permanent Defence Force have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in Defence Forces allowances as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission. These included:

- a 10% increase in military service allowance,

- the restoration of a 10% cut applied to a number of Defence Forces allowances under the Haddington Road Pay Agreement

- the restoration of premium rates for weekend security duty allowances.

- the restoration of a service commitment scheme for pilots.

The introduction of a new sea-going service commitment scheme for Naval Service personnel came into effect from 1 January 2021, is aimed at retaining highly trained and experienced personnel and incentivising sea going duties.

A sea going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270 was applied in the 2020 tax year for members of the Naval Service who served 80 days or more at sea on board a naval vessel in 2019. This tax credit has been extended for a further year and is increased to €1,500 for the 2021 tax year.

Negotiations on a new public service agreement were held in late 2020 with public service trade unions and representative associations. A new agreement ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’has subsequently been ratified by the overwhelming majority of public sector unions. The Permanent Defence Force representative associations have yet to ballot their members and accordingly advise the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) of formal acceptance, or otherwise, of this agreement.

The agreement provides for further increases in pay to all public servants including members of the Defence Forces should the Representative Associations advise the WRC of formal acceptance of the agreement.

- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2021.

- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022.

- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on, 1 October 2022.

The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces and this is reflected in the Programme for Government. This provided for the establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces, which was established on the 15 December 2020 and completion of the Commissions work, I will consult with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the establishment of a a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces.