Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues of pay and morale within the Defence Forces are being addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47418/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements.

Similar to other sectors in the public service, Pay has been restored to members of the Defence Forces in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.

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^stOctober 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^stOctober 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 Force 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, which came into effect from 1^stJanuary 2021, is aimed at retaining highly trained and experienced personnel, while also incentivising sea going duties. 

Furthermore, a sea going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270 was applied in 2020 for members of the Naval Service who served 80 days or more at sea 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. Following a ballot of their members the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, namely RACO and PDFORRA, formally notified the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) of  their intention to comply with this agreement.  

In return for ongoing reform and productivity measures the agreement provides for further increases in pay to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. This agreement includes the following increases:

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

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

Notably, all Defence Force personnel also receive three additional public holidays over and above the public sector norms. These additional holidays are specific only to members of the Permanent Defence Force.

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^thDecember 2020. On completion of the Commission's work, I will consult with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the establishment of a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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240. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps remain sufficiently structured, resourced and equipped to meet any emergency situation arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47419/21]

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.  This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles assigned by Government as set out in the White Paper on Defence.  Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. 

In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.  Budget 2021 provides a Capital allocation of €131m for investment in Defence equipment and barracks infrastructure and will enable continued investment in major equipment platforms such as the Defence Forces vehicle fleet. The increased capital funding for 2021 builds on increased levels of capital expenditure totalling €392m over the years 2018 – 2020.

In relation to air-based capability, my immediate priorities have been the acquisition of three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role and for two Airbus C295 maritime patrol aircraft.  An additional PC-12 was also acquired in response to the Covid 19 crisis.   Some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of these enhanced capabilities.  

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.   The MRV project is currently underway and will be progressed over the coming years.  

There is also a multiannual mid-life maintenance and upgrade programme in respect of the Army’s fleet of MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carriers.  When completed, this will extend the utility of the fleet and provide greater levels of protection, mobility and firepower. The upgrade of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot was also completed during 2020. Other major projects are also in train.

The Defence Forces retain a wide range of specialist skills.  The full spectrum of personnel and equipment are available for deployment in response to any emergencies that may arise.  Further inductions have taken place throughout the year as recruitment continues.  The Air Corps Apprentice competition closed in March 2021, and attracted 663 applications.  General Service recruitment is ongoing and the Cadet competition was also launched recently.  This is in addition to the 9 current Direct Entry competitions and the Re-commissioning and Re-enlistment schemes.   I recognise that reaching a strength level of 9,500 personnel is a key challenge but I am committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces have the means to continue to carry out all of the roles 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 a natural disaster rests with three designated principal response agencies, namely, An Garda Síochána, the relevant Local Authority  and the Health Service Executive.  The Defence Forces provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or an emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority 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.

The Government established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months.  The work of the Commission encompasses  the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing and their report will inform decisions regarding the the future development of the Defence Forces.