Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when a report will be published into his plans to recognise the efforts of volunteers and officers of the Civil Defence and their contributions during the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36449/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Civil Defence is a statutory volunteer-based organisation with a nationwide footprint. Volunteering within Civil Defence demonstrates the very best of Irish society and the Government is conscious of and grateful for the work that Civil Defence volunteers undertake on a weekly basis.

The Government acknowledges the exceptional service given by Civil Defence volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil Defence have been, and continues to be, a core part of the emergency response structures within each Local Authority for the past 70 years. Civil Defence volunteers have contributed so much to their communities since the beginning of the pandemic.

Officials in my Department have been engaging with Civil Defence Officers to consider a suitable way to honour Civil Defence members and recognise their efforts in the response to COVID-19 since March, 2020. Significant work has been undertaken in relation to this and I expect to be able to share further details in the coming months.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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112. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel by rank attached to the Defence Forces School of Music as of 28 June 2022; the number of vacancies by rank in the school; and when these vacancies will be filled in tabular form. [36480/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have provided the following details in relation to the strength and vacancies in the Defence Forces School of Music, as at 28 June 2022:

*This vacancy was filled on 29June 2022 by direct entry recruitment.

Vacancies will be filled in line with promotional arrangements and by recruitment. 2 Direct Entry recruitment competitions (Instrumentalists and Conductor) were held in 2021 and further such recruitment will be considered.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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113. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of full-time qualified vets working in the Defence Forces Equitation School in the years of 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [36481/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have advised that there are no full-time qualified vets in the Equitation School. Veterinary care is outsourced to a private veterinary practice, the tender for which is advertised every four years.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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114. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there are persons assigned to the role of gender adviser within the various branches of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36647/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the Military Authorities that within the Defence Forces, each Army Brigade, the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Air Corps, and the Naval Service have their own Gender Advisers (GENADs). There is also a Defence Forces Gender Adviser based in Defence Forces Headquarters.

The Defence Forces Gender Adviser is responsible for incorporating a gender perspective into the planning and execution of Defence Forces operations and procedures, both domestically and overseas. The role of the Gender Adviser is outlined in the Defence Forces Third Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) and related resolutions 2020-2024, and includes, inter alia, the following:

- Overall responsibility for the co-ordination of the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions within Defence Forces policies, programmes and operations, both on island and overseas.

- Monitoring the implementation of the Defence Forces Third Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 and Related Resolutions.

- Advising Defence Forces General Staff on all matters pertaining to the incorporation of a gender perspective within military planning and operations.

- Responsibility for the co-ordination of gender related training for Defence Forces personnel.

- Responsibility for the nomination of suitable candidates/representatives to attend national or international courses, conferences, seminars etc. in the area of Women, Peace and Security.

- Advising and supporting Brigade/Formation Gender Advisers on the implementation of the Defence Forces Third Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 and Related Resolutions.

- Ensuring the education, monitoring and support, of nominated Gender Focal Points Defence Forces wide.

- Liaising with relevant national and international organisations and representatives, to include the UN, NATO, EU and OSCE on all matters pertaining to Women, Peace and Security.

- Promoting and advising on a gender aware approach to Defence Forces policies and procedures.

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.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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115. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps that are being taken to recruit members of the LGBTQIA+ community to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36648/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces are fully committed to the equality and diversity policy objectives as detailed in the White Paper on Defence, which includes explicit commitment to the principles of equal opportunity in all employment policies, procedures and regulations and equal opportunities irrespective of gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

The Defence Forces recognises the need to ensure that the societal changes being witnessed in Ireland would also be reflected in the Defence organisation. In 2016, the Defence Forces current Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan was launched and detailed the Defence Forces approach to diversity and inclusion across the various strands of the organisation’s activities, including recruitment.

Examples of initiatives implemented with a view to increasing the diversity of Defence Forces personnel include:

- Equality and diversity outreach opportunities, at regional and local levels, availed of to promote recruitment opportunities.

- The Military.ie website includes an education piece on Gender, Equality and Diversity.

- A review of the Defence Force’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan in 2020 provided recommendations for the development of the strategy into the future.

- Both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are represented on a Committee, led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, established to oversee and monitor progress on the implementation of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021.

- A Joint Civil/Military working group was established in 2019, to progress the Transgender Employment Policy for the Defence Forces. This work is continuing.

In addition, the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces included deliberation on diversity in the Defence Forces. 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.