Written answers

Thursday, 12 May 2022

Photo of Thomas GouldThomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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21. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the improvement of pay and conditions for the Defence Forces. [23669/22]

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the work that his Department is undertaking to address ongoing pay and conditions concerns with the Defences Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23754/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 30 together.

The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. As the Deputy is aware, the current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’, provides for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever was the greater, came into effect on 1st October 2021. In addition, fixed periodic pensionable allowances, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, were also increased by 1% on this date.

The current pay agreement also provides for further increases in 2022, namely:

- 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 1st February 2022 last.

- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1st October 2022. Fixed periodic pensionable allowances and allowances in the nature of pay will also be increased by 1% on this date.

In addition to general round pay increases arising out of ongoing national pay agreements, members of the Permanent Defence Force have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in Defence Force’s allowances, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission in 2019.

The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference, including an examination of the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures currently in place in the Defence Forces.

Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations is required. This involves significant inter-departmental consultation, and I and my officials are currently engaging with key stakeholders to ascertain their views. Following this engagement, I intend to return to Government with a proposed response to the Commission’s recommendations and a high-level action plan.

The Defence Forces Representative Associations, namely PDFORRA and RACO, will be consulted on all matters that fall within the scope of representation relating to the implementation of any approved plan.

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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22. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of new recruits who have joined the Defence Forces to date in 2022; the number who have left; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23498/22]

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if any new retention initiatives are being undertaken in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23506/22]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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25. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the aptitude tests that are undertaken by those applying for membership of the Defence Forces; the company or companies that administer these tests; the percentage of applicants that fail these tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22885/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 23 and 25 together.

I have previously acknowledged the ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces and to tackle these a range of recruitment and retention measures continue to be taken.

The Defence Forces continue to target General Service Recruits, Cadets, Air Corps Apprentice Aircraft Technicians, and specialists for the Army, Air Corps, and Naval Service. As of 30 April 2022, 110 personnel have been inducted. At that same date, 34 recruits had discharged from the Defence Forces in 2022.

In response to the deputy on psychometric testing, this testing forms part of the recruitment and candidate assessment process for General Service recruits, Air Corps Apprentices and Cadets. The military authorities have advised that, in 2021, there was 41% test failure rate associated with psychometric tests for Cadets and 60% for other recruitment. Two companies are involved in providing and administering these psychometric tests: Mindmill in respect of General Service Recruits and Cadets; and AON in respect of Air Corps Apprentices. The types of psychometric tests utilised include verbal, analytical, and abstract reasoning.

In relation to retention, in addition to pay increases arising from the Public Service Pay Commission report and from public sector pay agreements, a number of other initiatives have been introduced. For example, the service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and Naval Service, and the sea-going naval personnel tax credit of €1,500 which has been extended into 2022.

I have also secured agreement to allow for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals, who were recruited since 1 January 1994, to remain in service up to 50 years of age, subject to them meeting certain criteria including medical and fitness standards. Currently, Sergeants recruited to the Permanent Defence Force post-1994 may remain in service up to age 50 and it has been agreed that there shall be arrangements to facilitate the extension of these service limits.

As the deputies will be aware, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces has made it clear that the level of ambition for the Defence Forces must be elevated beyond that at which it is operating at the moment. I have made it clear that I am actively seeking to build the strength of the PDF 11,500 in line with level of ambition 2. I intend therefore, before the summer recess, to revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission’s recommendations and a high-level action plan.

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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24. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Russian invasion of Ukraine will lead to any further re-assessment of Ireland’s defence capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/22]

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the recommendation to increase defence spending by the Commission on the Defence Forces has come under further review in the context of war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23719/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 58 together.

Ireland's defence policy is set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015) and the White Paper Update (2019). Both the White Paper and the White Paper Update were based on security environment assessments carried out by interdepartmental groups. These threat assessments indicated a low probability of a conventional military attack on the state, and also point to the fact that security challenges are such that no single country can deal with these alone. The White Paper outlines the importance of the UN and EU in collective security and commits Ireland to fully supporting UN mandated peace support operations.

Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are 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. The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020 provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects, this rolling five year plan is iterative and will encompass new equipment projects as it develops.

The White Paper on Defence 2015 sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class of vessels, and the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel (MRV), the replacement of the Cessnas and Casa 235 fleets and the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles.

The Cessnas have now been replaced by three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role providing a substantially increased capability with their state of the art surveillance technology. Two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to replace the two Casa 235s are due to be delivered in 2023. As well as the upgrade to the Armoured personnel carriers 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles and 220 softskin vehicles are due for delivery in 2022.

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in February 2022. It is a substantial report running to over 180 pages and 69 main recommendations many of which have sub recommendations. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.

The Commission's report is being fully considered in the context of the current security environment, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess.

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the current events in Ukraine are prompting an open debate and consideration of our defence requirements. I fully accept there is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake, and likely risks.

Photo of Cathal BerryCathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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26. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there has been progress in honouring the outstanding pay adjudications from previous adjudicators of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23792/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) provides a formal mechanism for the PDF Representative Associations (RACO and PDFORRA), to engage with the Official side. Under the Scheme, and having regard to commitments under national public service pay agreements, the Representative Associations can make representations in relation to the pay and conditions of their members.

The C&A Scheme, which is independently chaired, consists of members of Representative Associations as well as the Official Side. The Official Side comprises of members of the Department of Defence (Civil and Military) and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The entire body is known as 'Council'.

At present I am aware that there is a claim before Council in respect of an outstanding adjudication pertaining to the Army Ranger Wing Allowance. As per the agreed Terms of Reference of the C&A Scheme, matters in this space are confidential to parties involved. As such, no further information can be given to the Deputy at this time. There is also litigation ongoing in respect of a number of outstanding adjudication matters. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further on these.

It is important also to note that the current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021– 2022’ provides for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including to members of the Defence Forces. Chapter 2 of the Agreement provides for the equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund. The purpose of this fund is to deal with outstanding adjudications, commitments, recommendations, awards and claims within the terms of the fund, and within the exchequer funding limit in place. All public servants covered by the agreement are encompassed by this process.

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department has investigated alleged far-right activism in the Defence Forces. [23442/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces gathers information for the protection of the security of the State and also for the force protection and security of the Defence Forces at home and abroad. Intelligence assessments are regularly produced on perceived and emerging security threats. The nature of intelligence activities is confidential; therefore, it would not be prudent to discuss such matters further.

The Constitution and the Defence Acts enshrine the governance of the Defence sector.

Under the provisions of the Defence Act, members of the Permanent Defence Force are prohibited from being members of a political organisation and members of the Reserve Defence Force are prohibited from political activities when called out on permanent service or when deployed on supplemental military service.

Finally, the Deputy will be aware that the Defence Forces have a Social Media Policy in place and personnel in breach of this policy are subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with Military Law.

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