Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

99. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces are being paid at least the national minimum wage of €10.50 per hour in accordance with the National Minimum Wage Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33770/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces in the context of national Public Service Pay Agreements, and where specific issues arise.  

It is worth noting in this regard that the recent report of the Commission on the Defence Forces observed that much of the commentary surrounding issues of pay in the Defence Forces does not seem to fully reflect the totality of the remuneration package and believes that this needs to be better communicated.

A recently developed infographic on the benefits of a career in the Defence Forces aims to address this, which has been posted on social media and the Defence Force website. 

I am further advised by the military authorities that the Personnel Management System (PMS) operated by the Defence Forces, contains information on the range, type and quantity of duties performed by PDF personnel. This informs the calculation of remuneration for individual members. The military authorities have undertaken a feasibility study with a view to implementing a time and attendance system which will capture the hours work for serving members, which will provide further clarity in this regard. The proposed system is currently under review but I’m further advised that my officials are continuing to engage with the military authorities on the possibility of applying interim enhanced time recording measures.

As the Deputy will be aware, unlike other areas of the Public Service and due to the nature of the duties performed, overtime payments are not available to members of the Defence Forces and comparisons with other areas of the Public Service must be cognisant of the unique role, structure, duties and working conditions of service which are particular to military personnel.

In that regard a Military Service Allowance, which is designed to compensate for the special disadvantages associated with military life including long and unsocial hours, is paid to all ranks up to the level of Colonel. It is of course also the case that in addition to basic pay and military service allowance, certain positions in the Defence Forces also attract specialist and technical pay and that a range of duties also attract additional allowances. These duty based allowances are not analogous to overtime as such payments are in addition to basic pay and MSA and are related to the duties undertaken.

I would also like to highlight that in instances where members of the Defence Forces acquire technical qualifications and/or fill associated appointments, there is associated technical pay. Defence Force personnel also receive tax free payments for certain overseas deployments and duties. Furthermore, Defence Force personnel 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. 

As you are also aware, the Commission's Report included an examination of the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures currently in place in the Defence Forces, and made a number of recommendations in this area. Given the significant recommendations contained in this Report, I have been engaging with all interested stakeholders on the content, including my Ministerial colleagues, members of the Defence Forces, and the Representative Associations. I will revert to Government very shortly with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in this regard.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

100. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the action that will be taken in response to the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces finding that there is an evident culture across the Defence Forces which is masculine and has a limited appreciation of diversity of all kinds. [34154/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations.  A  process to consider these recommendations in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders has been completed. I intend to return to Government with a response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess.  

It would therefore, be inappropriate for me comment further in advance of Government's consideration. 

Notwithstanding this, I believe that it is critically important that the Defence Forces reflects the modern demographics of today’s Irish society. To that end, the Defence Forces is committed to supporting a diverse workforce through its various policies and strategies. These include the "Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan" launched in 2016. In addition, in 2016, the Defence Forces LGBTA Network "Defend with Pride" was established to provide support and guidance to LBGT personnel and allies.

On 30 November 2021, the Chief of Staff convened the Organisational Culture Standing Committee (OCSC), to provide an enduring structure to drive and co-ordinate the process of cultural change into the future. The OCSC aims to raise the consciousness of the personnel currently serving in the Defence Forces. 

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.  

The Government is also committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment underpinned by dignity and equality. It is clear that the systems, policies and pervading culture in the Defence Forces, have not, and are not serving all Defence Forces personnel well.   

Accordingly, as the Deputy will be aware, I established the Judge-led Independent Review Group (IRG), on 25 January last, following Government approval, to examine issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct, as well as workplace culture, in the Defence Forces. I can confirm to the Deputy that the work of the Review Group is well underway.   

I, along with the Secretary General and Chief of Staff, are fully committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment underpinned by dignity and equality.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

101. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 11 of 12 May 2022, if he will provide an update on the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces; the details of any monthly reports received by him to date from the review group; if the review group is on track to produce an interim report by July 2022; his plans to publish the interim report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34096/22]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

104. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the work of a group (details supplied) in addressing the serious concerns arising from the experiences of some members of the Defence Forces in particular women serving and retired members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34228/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 104 together.

I can confirm to the Deputy that the work of the Judge-led Independent Review Group (IRG), established on 25 January last, to examine issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct, as well as workplace culture, in the Defence Forces, is well underway. 

In accordance with the Terms of Reference the Group will:

- Advise me on whether the current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices for addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace are effective;  

- Independently assess whether the pervading culture in the workplace is fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces and thirdly; 

- Will provide recommendations and guidance on measures and strategies required to underpin a workplace based on dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.   

As I have confirmed previously, the Independent Review is seen as a critical first step in ensuring that there is zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour for serving members of the Defence Forces. Quite simply, the members expect, and deserve, nothing less. 

To-date, I have received four monthly reports from the Chair of the Review Group outlining the progress of the Review. I look forward to further monthly reports, in line with the Terms of Reference, including any interim assessments or recommendations on addressing any issues arising which may require immediate action. In addition, it is expected that the six-month interim assessment will be submitted to me at the end of  July.  

In line with the Terms of Reference, the monthly reports and interim assessment will not be published. The final report which is to be presented to me at the end of the year, will be brought to Government, and will thereafter be published.  

As previously advised, I had a very fruitful meeting with the Group namely, Ms. Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon, Ms. Jane Williams and Mr. Mark Connaughton, on 25 April last and plan to meet the Group again in the coming weeks. 

The Deputy will also be aware that I received a Report from Raiseaconcern, on the work undertaken by the Confidential Contact Person (CCP), which was established last October as part of interim supports in assisting members of the Defence Forces affected by issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct in the workplace.   As agreed, this Report, which is entirely anonymised, has been passed to the Review Group and will be an important input into their ongoing deliberations.  

I wish to add that the Independent Review will include the receipt of the views and experiences from both current and former Defence Forces personnel of workplace incidents of alleged unacceptable behaviour. The sharing of such views and experiences by interviewees will be entirely voluntary and treated in confidence.  

The Independent Review Group is also continuing to accept submissions from individuals and organisations on issues relevant to its Terms of Reference. These submissions will also form an important input to the Group’s final review report. Details of how to make a submission are available on its website.  

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

102. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the up-to-date position in relation to efforts to recruit more members to the Defence Forces; the number of recruitments and retirements and resignations in each of the past five years from each branch of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34189/22]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

113. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of persons who have left the Defence Forces since 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33621/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 113 together.

The following table details the number of members of the Permanent Defence Force who have left, by year and Branch, since 2018.  Discharges include personnel who left for a variety of reasons including retirement on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges. More than 50% who leave the Defence Force do so with some form of pension.

*As at 31 May 2022

The following table contains the requested induction figures, by year and Branch, since 2018:

*As at 31 May 2022

I have previously acknowledged the ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces and to tackle these there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives which are presently being implemented.

There is ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment and, as of 31 May 2022, 110 personnel have been inducted. The Defence Forces have engaged a marketing and media partner to assist with recruitment advertising to ensure engagement with the recruitment demographic across social media and other media platforms. I recently launched the new Defence Forces recruitment rebrand ‘Be More with the Irish Defence Forces’.  The new marketing strategy aligns the desire to continuously improve and learn new skills with ensuring long term career advancement, by ably demonstrating the opportunities and skills a career in the Defence Forces offers. 

Further, the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces included, inter alia, consideration of recruitment, retention and staffing. 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

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

103. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he will bring forward an implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33670/22]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

105. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the work of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34227/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 105 together.

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.