John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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88. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the role that members of the Reserve Defence Forces played at vaccination centres during the pandemic; the number of members that were stationed at vaccination centres; the number of hours they worked; the payment they received; and if no payment was received, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45611/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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. A wide range of supports have since been provided to the HSE as well as to other Departments and Agencies. The Defence Forces are also represented on the High Level Task Force for Covid-19 Vaccination and continue to provide transportation and logistical supports to the HSE in the rollout of the Covid 19 vaccination programme.

A number of Reserve Defence Force (RDF) members are currently engaged, on a voluntary basis and where personal circumstances allow, in authorised COVID-19 activities in a supporting role to the response of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) to the COVID19 crisis. In this regard, members of the Reserve served a total of 1,457 Covid-related days in 2020 with a further 778 such days served by RDF members in 2021, to the end of August. Members of the Reserve are paid in such circumstances and their support is welcomed.

To date, three members of the RDF have been involved in vaccinating at vaccination centres. They have completed 26 shifts, each of 12 hours duration. All such RDF personnel receive the corresponding day’s duty pay for each shift, equivalent to that of their PDF colleagues, plus the applicable COVID-19 allowance for their engagement in a pandemic related activity.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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89. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of females who have included family care issues among their stated reasons for seeking inter service transfers or discharge from the Naval Service over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45708/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An individual member of the Permanent Defence Force may be discharged for any one of the twenty-six prescribed reasons set out in Defence Force Regulations which cover various matters. Discharge citing family care issues is not included as a category type and is therefore not recorded.

However, some other measures have been introduced as a method of gaining further feedback and insight for the organisation. Exit interviews were introduced as part of the discharge process in March 2021. There has been one female member of the Naval Service who was interviewed upon discharge in the intervening period and family care issues were not cited in her reasons for leaving.

Online Exit Surveys were also introduced in May 2020. This survey contains a series of questions on a range of topics including; perceptions held in relation to the job, decisions for leaving the organisation, work life balance and discrimination. Of the 117 surveys completed in this time, 7% of the respondents were female (5% did note state gender). In terms of the Deputy's specific query on female members of the Naval Service who have discharged, one female member stated that working in the Naval Service was incompatible with having a family due to the requirement for sea going rotations.

In respect of requests for transfers, I am advised by the Military Authorities that there is no requirement to state a specific reason for transfer owing to the fact that it may be of a personal nature, therefore the data requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Deputy may be aware that there are a number of facilities available to serving Defence Forces personnel in terms of work life supports. First and foremost Defence Forces members are entitled to maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave, parents leave and term time in line with national legislation.

In addition a range of ‘harmony’ measures have also been implemented including ‘hot desking’ for certain enlisted and commissioned personnel who have been posted away from their home address, and remote working is considered for a limited number of personnel depending on the circumstances.

Additionally, I am advised that a number of family friendly overseas appointments for commissioned and enlisted personnel have been introduced whereby the normal 6-month tour of duty can be ‘shared’ with another member of the Defence Forces, resulting in a 3-month deployment. While this measure has been restricted as a result of the COVID pandemic, it is an acknowledgement of the importance of a family-friendly approach.

Personnel in the Defence Forces serving both at home and overseas have an array of supports available to them, including in-house medical teams, critical incident response teams, chaplaincy services and support services through the Personnel Support Service (PSS). The PSS operates within each installation of the Defence Forces and consists of a team of occupational social workers and trained military support personnel. The Department of Defence also provides an external confidential counselling service to all personnel.

The Naval Service has a Female Forum, for all ranks, that meets regularly to discuss female issues relevant to the Naval Service. Importantly it provides both support to females in the service and to develop a network to extend their support opportunities and enhance their Naval experience.

Finally, as the Deputy will be aware, the Independent Commission on the Defence Forces is currently examining a range of issues in the Defence Forces and its terms of reference encompass the setting out of a strategic perspective on HR policies and associated strategies.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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90. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the length of time it takes for a complaint of sexual assault to be dealt with currently in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45709/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to reiterate that all members of the Defence Forces have the right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces and where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations will be initiated by the appropriate authorities.

I am advised by the military authorities that complaints of unacceptable behaviour can be dealt with at different levels, either by way of an informal approach or formal process. Specially trained Designated Contact Persons (DCPs) are available to assist complainants. The formal procedure requires that a complaint is made in writing.

These complaints are dealt with by the military chain of command either through the legal/disciplinary process or by administrative action. Administrative instruction A7, Chapter 1, 'Interpersonal Relationships in the Defence Forces" is the Defence Forces' policy document which deals with sexual harassment, harassment and bullying.

I am further advised that in the event that a complaint of a criminal nature is reported, I understand that the standard procedure is that the matter is investigated immediately by the Military Police. In line with other investigations of this nature in this jurisdiction, each investigation differs depending on the complexities of the case, it is therefore not possible to define a timeframe for the investigation of such complaints.

Where allegations of serious criminal incidents among serving members are brought to the attention of the Military Police, they are traditionally passed to An Garda Síochána for their consideration and investigation who have the lawful authority, skills and resources to investigate such matters.

I can assure the Deputy that I, as Minister, working closely with the Chief of Staff, and the Secretary General, am committed to ensuring that Defence Forces personnel are provided with a safe working environment as exemplified in the DF Dignity Charter and the other policies and procedures in place. The health and safety of personnel in the Defence Forces remains a priority for the Government.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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91. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will make provision to allow serving and retired male and female victims of sexual abuse, harassment and gender discrimination in the Defence Forces an opportunity to tell their experiences of abuse anonymously during the inquiry stage of the external commission that is being called for by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45710/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ilistened with concern to the women who recounted their experiences on the Women of Honour programme on RTE Radio on the 11 September 2021. I expressed my willingness to meet with the participants, should they wish to do so, and I am pleased to say that my offer has been accepted.

I have instructed my officials to make the necessary arrangements without delay. In the meantime, I also wish to confirm that the Secretary General and senior officials of the Department are meeting with a number of the participants this week.

I would like to reiterate again in the strongest possible terms that all members of the Defence Forces have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces and where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations will be initiated by the appropriate authorities.

Terms of reference for the Independent Review, which had been advancing in recent months, are being reviewed in light of the RTE programme, and are being finalised. The purpose of this Independent Review, which will be conducted by independent and unbiased personnel, is to examine the effectiveness of current policies and procedures for dealing with workplace issues such as dignity, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and discrimination.

I very much look forward to meeting with the women profiled in the programme, and listening to their views.

I can assure the Deputy that both I, as Minister, and the Defence Organisation, are committed to providing a safe place of work for all employees.