John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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887. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made to date on the high-level implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39965/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 in the plan. For some, the original target dates and timelines for completion were extended due to external factors, including Covid and the progress status of the projects is as outlined below.

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.

For 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 certain Officer and NCO 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 on 2nd December 2020. A further project to develop a Professional Military Education strategy was completed in March 2021 and I formally launched the Strategy on 14th July. 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.

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 is examining the contracts of service for enlisted personnel and is at an advanced stage.

The final project, looking at the embedding of strategic workforce planning in the Defence Forces has commenced and its work is ongoing. As this is a long term project it will be progressed through the joint civil/military Strategic Human Resources Group.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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888. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the rates of pay for civilian workers in Defence Forces facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39966/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department employs civilian staff at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum and include craft workers (Electricians, Carpenters, Plumbers, Fitters, Welders etc.), services (General Operatives), administrative (Clerks, Storemen), healthcare professionals (Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists) and other specialist grades (Archivists, Aircraft Inspector/Instructor, Technicians, Quantity Surveyors, Draughtsmen).

Public Sector pay and allowance rates are determined centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I will arrange for my officials to forward a copy of the most recent pay scales to the Deputy.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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889. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of civilian job vacancies that are currently open at Defence Forces facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39967/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Civilian Employees are employed by my Department to support the operational capability of the Defence Forces. The recruitment of Civilian Employees for military instillations is an ongoing process, informed by prioritisation of posts by military management.

My Department is currently running the following open competitions:

1.Barrack Foreman of Works in Cathal Brugha Barracks

2. 12 civilian electricians across 11 locations as follows:

Collins Barracks, Cork; Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny; McKee Barracks, Dublin 7; Gormanston Camp, Co. Meath; Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal; Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, Co. Louth; Coolmoney Camp, Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow; Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin; Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork; Sarsfield Barracks, Co. Limerick; Defence Forces' Training Centre, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare, (2 positions).

A number of internal competitions are also currently underway.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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890. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the pay and renumeration structure for all ranks in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39968/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the current pay and remuneration structure including the current rates of pay and allowances for all members of the Defence Forces are publically available through the Department of Defence Website at: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/e8132-routinely-published-information/#defence-forces-pay-scales.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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891. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures in place to provide for the healthcare of members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39969/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A wide range of medical services are provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force. These include:

an annual medical examination,

sick parades,

attendance at GP surgery outside of sick parade and out-of-hours GP services,

prescription services,

laboratory services,

physiotherapy,

chiropody,

radiology,

ophthalmic examinations,

clinical mental health services provided by an in-house psychiatrist and two in-house psychologists,

in-patient and outpatient public hospital charges,

routine dental treatment, and

the provision of overseas medical services, including global comprehensive medical insurance in the case of Defence Forces personnel (including dependents) assigned to longer term overseas administrative posts.

Commissioned Officers and members of the Army Nursing Service may also avail of private consultant appointments and diagnostic tests, and private/semi-private hospital treatment dependent on rank. The Programme for Government contains a committment to "ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do". A Working Group has been established with a view to bringing forward proposals on this matter during 2021.

In addition, the Defence Forces Personnel Support Services (PSS) provide a welfare, information, psycho-social support and referral service, that is professional, responsive and confidential, to serving members of the Defence Forces and their families to sustain and enhance the individual wellbeing of personnel, and to promote a safe and positive work culture in order to support the effectiveness of the Defence Forces.

As additional support, the Department of Defence has arranged the provision of a confidential counselling, referral and support service, on a wide range of personal and work related issues, for serving members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Civil Defence members. A Freephone confidential helpline is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year and is staffed by fully-trained and experienced counsellors.

The Chaplaincy Service also provides confidential, comprehensive pastoral support and spiritual care to personnel at home and overseas.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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892. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women in the Defence Forces by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39970/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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894. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women members of the Defence Forces who have served overseas in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39972/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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896. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women members who have left the Defence Forces in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39974/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 892, 894 and 896 together.

As at 30th June 2021, the latest date for which such data is available, the number of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was 594. A breakdown of this strength by rank is attached.

The table below details the number of females who discharged from Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and the number who have served overseas, in each of the past 5 years:

table cont.

Personnel discharge for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges. Discharges also include trainees who exited prior to completion of their initial training.

In line with current policies and commitments a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. These include:

- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework.

- A Gender Equality and Diversity Officer has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces are committed to gender equality and employ a gender perspective in the planning and execution of operations both at home and overseas and in all policies and regulations. Gender Advisors are available to all Brigades and Services and trained Gender Focal Points are deployed with all overseas units and ships in order to promote a gender perspective in operations.

- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.

Over the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence, a number of projects will be progressed to ensure the development and promotion of strategies that continue to support increased female participation in the Defence Forces.

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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893. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of current members of the Defence Forces who are parents, by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39971/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am unable to provide a response to the Deputy as I am advised by the Military Authorities that these details are not routinely recorded and there are no parameters within the Defence Forces Personnel Management System Database to faciliate an accurate return.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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895. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women recruited to the Defence Forces in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39973/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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897. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces has undertaken recruitment drives or campaigns specifically targeted at women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39975/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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898. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces has undertaken recruitment drives or campaigns specifically targeted at citizens from an ethnic background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39976/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 895, 897 and 898 together.

The table below shows the number of women inducted into the Permanent Defence Force in each of the past five years:

The military authorities advise that a number of initiatives have been undertaken with a view to increasing the number of women who join the Defence Forces.

These include the launching of a strategic campaign with the specific objective of increasing the induction of women into the organisation. In addition to traditional media, the campaign was supported by social media posts, using serving female personnel as role models.

Current campaigns have an enduring requirement to reach out to females within the recruitment demographic via a variety of channels, including social media, sporting organisations and schools.

The military authorities further advise that potential applicants from an ethnic background are included in the target demographic that the Defence Forces seeks to reach in regular campaigns and ongoing promotions through various channels.

The target demographic and associated gatekeepers, are reached through traditional media, schools and various recruitment events, including multicultural events when such opportunities present.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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899. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Army barracks; and the staffing levels and the staffing capacity of each in tabular form. [39977/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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900. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service bases; and the staffing levels and staffing capacity of each in tabular form. [39978/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 899 and 900 together.

The overall Defence property portfolio consists of a diverse range of facilities from conventional military barracks to forts, camps and training lands. The following is a list of the 12 permanently occupied Defence Forces installations in which the Army is located across the State:

Collins’ Barracks, Cork

Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal

Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin 6

McKee Barracks, Dublin 7

St. Bricin’s Hospital, Dublin 7

Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare

Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick

Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Gormanston Camp, Gormanston, Co. Meath

Custume Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

Stephens’ Barracks, Kilkenny

Dún Ui Mhaoilíosa (Renmore) Barracks, Galway

In addition, the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork and Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Dublin 22 are also permanently occupied military installations.

For operational and security reasons, details of the staffing levels and the staffing capacity located at each military installation cannot be disclosed. It should be noted however that the number of personnel stationed at a particular location will frequently vary on an on-going basis, as it is a normal operational feature for there to be a constant through-flow of personnel into and out of military installations on an ongoing basis.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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901. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Army barracks that provide living quarters. [39979/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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902. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the occupancy of the living quarters in Army barracks that provide same. [39980/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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903. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when there was last a vacancy in the living quarters provided by the Defence Forces. [39982/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 901, 902 and 903 together.

As the Deputy will be aware it is a long standing policy that long term residential married quarters are no longer provided. Single-Living-In (SLI) accommodation is provided in every permanently occupied military installation. The occupancy of SLI accommodation can fluctuate on a daily basis, depending on location, the number of courses being held in a location and the duration of the course.

I am advised by the Military authorities that there are a total of 59 Married Quarters, of which 1 is currently unoccupied and fit for occupation.

There are 4,489 Singe Living-In beds in the various Defence Forces Installations, of which 2,576 beds are for short-term training purposes and the balance are for operational occupancy.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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904. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of apprentices on points 1 to 3 of the pay scale in relation to rates of pay for enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force in tabular form. [39983/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There are a total of 42 apprentices on points 1 to 3 of the Permanent Defence Force apprentice payscale. The table below shows the breakdown by scale points 1 to 3.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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905. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces at the rank of private grade 1 in the Permanent Defence Force in tabular form. [39984/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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906. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel at the rank of able seaman third class in the Permanent Defence Force in tabular form. [39985/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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907. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel at the rank of private 2-star class in the Permanent Defence Force in tabular form. [39986/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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908. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel at the rank of seaman second class in the Permanent Defence Force in tabular form. [39987/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 905, 906, 907 and 908 together.

The ranks referred to by the Deputy are ranks which personnel occupy on a transitional basis until they qualify in their respective role.

The table below contains the details, as at 30th June 2021, of the numbers in the ranks queried by the Deputy.