John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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910. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the proposed transfer of lands at Rockbrae House, Bray, County Wicklow to Wicklow County Council; the stage matters are currently at; the estimated timeframe for the transfer of such lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40366/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The property in question is surplus to military requirements and, in line with Government policy, the intention is to dispose of the property by way of transfer to Wicklow County Council, in order to support the provision of housing by that Local Authority.

Officials from my Department are currently liaising with the Chief State's Solicitors Office on the necessary legal matters with regard to finalising contracts and the intention is to conclude the transfer as soon as possible, subject to the normal exigencies of the conveyancing process.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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911. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the Jadotville Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40398/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Independent Review Group (IRG) was established to examine the issue of the award of military medals to personnel who served at Jadotville while deployed overseas on the UN peace support mission in the Congo in 1961. The IRG was asked to consider the entire case and evidence, including new evidence, if any, available. The IRG has completed its research and has submitted its report to the Chief of Staff, as the convening authority. The Chief of Staff has submitted the report to me along with his advice. The work of the Independent Review Group has now concluded.

The deeply unsettling aftermath of Jadotville is detailed in the report as is the lack of personal welfare supports afforded to the men following events at Jadotville, their period in captivity and upon their return home. I have apologised to veterans and to their families on behalf of the State and the Government to the men of ‘A’ Company, 35th Infantry Battalion and to their families for the lack of necessary supports or deserved recognition of their valiant service on their return from the Congo and for the many issue that arose as a result, some of which had tragic consequences. The lack of supports in place at that time is extremely regrettable. There have been great steps in the intervening years to support Defence Forces personnel, their families and veterans through the work of the Defence Forces personnel support services.

The report is substantial and makes a number of recommendations in respect of the issue of award of medals, honouring the role of families and the support they provided to veterans and in respect of veterans affairs. I can confirm that I will be considering all of the recommendations but time is needed to reflect fully on the detail of the report and on the specifics of the individual recommendations. Once this consideration has been completed it is my intention to respond further in relation to the individual recommendations.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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912. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which Defence Forces recruitment and retention issues will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40399/21]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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914. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 30 June 2021; if he will provide a breakdown of all ranks across the three service and a breakdown by gender of same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40886/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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917. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of existing members of the Defence Forces by service in tabular form; the established figure for that service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40904/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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918. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces by service that have left the Defence Forces over the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40905/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 912, 914, 917 and 918 together.

As at 30^thJune 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was 8,519 personnel and the attached table provides a breakdown by rank, gender and service. The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprised of 7,520 Army personnel, 886 Air Corps personnel and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).

The table below details, by year and service, the total number of personnel who left the PDF over the past 5 years along with details of the cohort who discharged while in training:

Within the PDF, the term 'discharges' encompasses personnel who left for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges and, as shown above, also includes a number of trainees who exited prior to completion of their initial training.

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 aimed at retaining experienced personnel. This follows the reintroduction of a successful service commitment scheme for Flying Officers in the Air Corps.

Recruitment continues and has resulted in 238 personnel being inducted as at 30^thJune 2021 and further inductions are planned.

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.

- Direct Entry is utilised for the recruitment of specialists with further competitions being progressed.

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.

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