Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 52 together.

A civil/military review of mandatory retirement ages and service limits of all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force has been conducted. The recommendations arising from the review require consideration from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to implications on costs and pensions.

In December 2021, I secured agreement with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, which allows for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals, who were recruited to the Permanent Defence Force 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. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has agreed that there shall be arrangements to facilitate the extension of service limits of Sergeants recruited to the Permanent Defence Force post 1994. Discussions are ongoing between officials in the Department of Defence and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the nature of the arrangement.

Other recommendations in the review relating to Commissioned Officers and senior Non-Commissioned Officer ranks, are being considered in the forum of an Inter-Departmental Working Group, which the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has established, to consider mandatory retirement ages and service limits for public service groups who have fast accrual pension arrangements.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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42. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will outline Ireland’s plans for Defence Force funding and recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23596/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The overall Defence Vote Group allocation is determined on an annual basis within the overarching budgetary framework and approved by Dáil Éireann, having regard to the level of resources available and defence policy requirements. Thus, for 2022, the total gross allocation provided to the Defence Vote Group, as set out in Budget 2022, is €1,107 million, comprising of €836 million for Vote 36 (Defence) and €271 million for Vote 35 (Army Pensions).

The 2022 allocation includes an allocation of over €545 million for the pay and allowances of members of the Permanent Defence Force, civil servants and civilian employees. Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements. The Department of Defence does not have discretion to award separate pay increases. The Defence Forces continue to have received pay increases in line with the Public Service pay agreements.

Capital funding allocations are also framed by the multi-annual National Development Plan. The White Paper on Defence, updated in 2019, highlighted the importance of capability development and the necessity for continued renewal, upgrade and acquisition of military equipment and infrastructure. To this end, the National Development Plan has allocated multi-annual funding of €566 million to Defence out to 2025, with an allocation of €141 million per annum provided for 2022 and 2023 and €142 million per annum for 2024 and 2025.

In relation to the current staffing challenges in the Defence Forces, various recruitment and retention initiatives are being implemented, including

- An Ongoing General Service Recruitment Campaign;

- Direct Entry Officers competitions for Bridge Watch-keeping, Marine Engineering and Electrical Engineering roles;

- Direct Entry ‘Other Ranks’ competitions for Engine Room Artificers, Hull Artificers, Electrical Artificers, Radio/Radar Technicians and Chefs.

- An Air Corps Aircraft Apprentice Technician competition;

- A Cadetship competition for all branches will commence shortly;

- An extension to the Air Corps Service Commitment Scheme;

- An extension of the Naval Service Tax Credit of €1,500 into 2022;

- An ongoing scheme allowing for the re-commissioning of former Officers and the re-enlistment of former enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force has also assisted in addressing particular skills gaps.

As the Deputy will be aware, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was recently published. There is a process underway to consider the many detailed recommendations in that report, including in relation to funding and recruitment. This necessarily requires widespread consultation. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me at this time to pre-empt an ongoing deliberative process.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The civil/military Joint Standing Committee on Medical Service Delivery is tasked with advancing the development of a sustainable, integrated medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces. As part of its work, it has committed to reviewing each key medical capability separately. The objective of each review is to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the most appropriate means of delivering each service to the Defence Forces. These reviews are conducted on an ongoing basis as the workload of the Committee allows.

A review of the Army Nursing Service commenced in March 2020. However the work of the Joint Standing Committee was impacted both by the onset of the Covid19 pandemic and the reassignment of civil and military members of the Committee. Whilst it was initially expected that the review would conclude by end 2021, these factors unavoidably delayed progress. The review will be progressed as expeditiously as possible.

The ongoing reviews of the range of medical services provided to the Defence Forces are an important tool in ensuring the provision of quality care to our personnel. I wish to assure the Deputy that this is a priority for me and civil/military management.