Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he proposes to implement changes for the Defence Forces as recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces; if the upgrading of existing army accommodation and the provision of additional accommodation will be included in such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34192/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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.  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. 

Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations has been undertaken over the last four months by my Department and the Defence Forces.  This has involved significant inter-departmental consultation, and I and my officials have engaged 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 before the Summer recess.

That being said, I can advise the Deputy that in Military Installations across the country, there are capital works projects taking place with the sole aim of ensuring infrastructure, including accommodation, in the Defence Forces is modernised to allowed our Military personnel to fulfil their demanding roles. 

These works are carried out under the auspices of the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme (IDP) which was published in January 2020. There are currently over €85m worth of projects underway at various stages of development from design to construction.

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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116. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of advanced paramedics and paramedics in the Defence Forces in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; if this decline in numbers is compromising the safety of Ireland’s troops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33773/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The numbers of those with paramedic/advanced paramedic qualifications in the Defence Forces is as follows:

The disposition of the medical service in the Defence Forces is not compromising the safety of Ireland’s troops, which, in addition to primary medical care provided by Medical Officers and contracted civilian doctors, is supplemented by Advanced Paramedics, Paramedics, Combat Medical Technicians, and Emergency Medical Technicians. It should be noted that there are no specific appointments for these specialities within the Chief of Staff’s Administrative Instruction CS4 establishment, which provides only for 3* Medics. Medic vacancies arising are filled, as appropriate, by individuals possessing the qualifications required to comply, with standards set by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). Work is ongoing to define the future requirements for such positions to regularise and optimise the provision of medical care to Defence Forces personnel. 

Furthermore, a wide range of medical services are provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force, free-of-charge, and for Officers and members of the Army Nursing Service this extends to the provision of private hospital treatment and referrals to private consultants. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to "ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do". A Working Group has been established to bring forward proposals on this matter and its report is imminent.

The health and welfare of Defence Forces personnel continues to be a priority for me.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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117. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of recruits who have enlisted in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34043/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current position in regard to increasing the strength of all branches of the Defence Forces without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34153/22]

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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124. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures that his Department is taking to actively address staffing issues within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33758/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 120 and 124 together.

I have previously acknowledged the ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces.  A number of initiatives are presently being implemented to tackle these challenges.  

In respect of recruitment, there is ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment. The scope and terms and conditions of the direct entry competitions remains under consideration.  As of 31 May 2022, 110 personnel have been inducted.  104 of those inducted were General Service Recruits comprised of 98 Army personnel and 6 Naval Service personnel.  The Air Corps does not recruit General Service recruits directly but transfers such recruits from the Army.   

Retention measures implemented include service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and Naval Service, and the sea-going naval personnel tax credit. Pay has improved as a result of increases arising from the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) report and from recent pay agreements.  Other, non-pay, PSPC recommendations have also been progressed through a series of projects.  

Furthermore, consideration of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces is ongoing. I intend to revert shortly to Government with a proposed response to those recommendations and a high-level action plan, which will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation

In the interim, efforts will remain focused on restoring all Branches of the Defence Forces to the current agreed strength, facilitated by ongoing staffing initiatives  

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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118. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of recruits who have enlisted in the Reserve Defence Forces in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34044/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF.   The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF and confirms that its primary role is to augment the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in crisis situations.

While the commitment to restoring the strength of the RDF is not in doubt, the same personnel and resources are utilised for both PDF and RDF recruitment. Given the competing recruitment demands at present, PDF recruitment is, and will remain a priority.  However, RDF recruitment will continue to be progressed to the greatest extent possible.

I should add that the ability to conduct RDF inductions during 2021 was severely impacted by the COVID-19 public health pandemic. Nevertheless, 41 new members were inducted during 2021. A recruitment drive for the RDF was launched earlier this year and, as at 22 June, 37 additional new members have been inducted thus far in 2022.

The Deputy will be aware that the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, published last January, contains many detailed recommendations, including on the future structure and role of the RDF. 

The process to consider the full set of recommendations in the Report, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and stakeholders is almost completed and I intend, before the Summer recess, , to bring to Government, significant proposals encompassed in a high-level action plan.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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119. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Irish peacekeepers currently serving overseas; the number posted to the various countries concerned; the details of the typical duration of postings for individual soldiers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34190/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As of 1 June 2022, Ireland is contributing 546 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 323 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 130 personnel.Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.

Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping.  Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations.  This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Duration of postings are typically between 6 and 12 months, depending on where members of the Defence Forces are assigned.  Certain HQ and staff appointments can be for longer periods.  Additionally, 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 shorter 3-month deployments.

Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed in the tabular statement below. 

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS As of 1 June 2022 

* Includes Major General Maureen O'Brien serving on secondment to the United Nations following her appointment by the UN as Deputy Military Advisor in the Office of Military Affairs, Department of Peace Operations