John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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101. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on current plans for the implementation of measures contained within the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49020/22]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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108. 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. [48890/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 108 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 was undertaken over a period of 5 months by my Department and the Defence Forces. I returned to Government with a High Level Action Plan and a Memo for Government which were approved on July 12^thof this year. As part of this, Government approved a move over a six-year period to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission, which will entail funding increases to reach a defence budget of c. €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates process.

The High Level Action Plan set out proposed implementation and oversight structures, and the Implementation Oversight Group met for the first time on the 3^rdof October. A civil/military Implementation Management Office (IMO) has been established to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme required to implement recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The initial focus of the IMO is the implementation of the 38 early actions to be completed within 6 months of the Government decision on July 12^thas set out in the High Level Action Plan and this includes the development of an Implementation Plan. Reporting mechanisms have been established to facilitate regular progress reports on the early actions to the IMO and the civil/military Strategic Management Committee.

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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104. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the Independent Chair of the Implementation Oversight Group for the High-Level Action Plan will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49050/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The High Level Action Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces set out proposed initial implementation and oversight structures.

A civil/military Implementation Management Office (IMO) has been established to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme required to implement recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The initial focus of the IMO is the implementation of the 38 early actions as set out in the High Level Action Plan and the development of an Implementation Plan. Reporting mechanisms have been established to facilitate regular progress reports on the early actions to the IMO and the civil/military Strategic Management Committee.

The appointment of the Independent Chair of the Implementation Oversight Group is underway. The independent Chair will oversee and drive progress in relation to the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission.

In the interim, however the Deputy should be aware the significant work is progressing on the early actions and the development of the implementation plan.

The Implementation Oversight Group sat for the first time on the 3^rdof October.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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106. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently serving overseas by rank and Defence Forces branch in each respective location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48913/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As of 1st October, 2022, Ireland is contributing 548 personnel to 7 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations.

The number of personnel serving overseas by rank is outlined in the following table.

Personnel serving overseas by branch is outlined in the following Table.

There are also two chaplains serving overseas. In addition Major General Maureen O'Brien is 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.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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107. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the improvements that will be made to the pay and conditions of staff in the Defence Forces. [48906/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that a range of actions have been taken to address pay and conditions of staff in the Defence Forces, and the recent Report of the Commission on Defence Forces also makes a range of recommendations in this regard.

The Report proposes significant changes, including to the level of Defence provision in Ireland and recommendations in relation to capacity components required to achieve that provision. The Government’s High-Level Action Plan (HLAP), launched in July, set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation, and identifies a number of pay-related recommendations for progression, including the intention to progress implementation of the following:

- Removing the requirement for a 3 Star Private/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank,

- Ensuring that all personnel of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman rank are paid the full rate of MSA applicable to the rank, and

- Providing immediate access to the Sea-going Service Commitment Scheme to direct entry personnel in the Navy.

I am pleased to announce that following consultation with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department can now proceed to implement the first two early actions, the removal of Marked Time and the payment of the full rate of MSA. This will result in the pay rates for Private 3 Star/Able Seaman in their first three years of service rising to €34,798 in Year 1, €36,128 in Year 2, and €37,353 in Year 3.

A number of other remunerative elements have been prioritised in the HLAP, including a commitment to commence further evaluation of:

- Replacing the existing sea-going allowances with less complex sea-going duty measures,

- Introducing Long Service Increments to the pay scales of all ranks of enlisted personnel,

- On the basis that all personnel should, in the first instance, be paid the full rate of MSA applicable to their rank, MSA should be abolished and the full applicable rate integrated into core pay.

The HLAP also states a commitment to commence an examination of options in relation to a mechanism for review of existing specialist pay rates and allowances.

I would also point to other improvements in pay and conditions including the extension of the Naval Service Tax Credit until 31st of December 2023, the review of the Naval Service Sea Going Service Commitment Scheme, resulting in the eligibility criteria to apply being reduced from 3 years to 1 years’ service. The Air Corps Pilots Service Commitment Scheme has also been extended to the end of 2024.

The Deputy may also be aware of increases in allowances due under the review of Technical Pay 2-6 which are currently being paid to eligible personnel, with all payments back dated to May 2021.

Separately, and specifically in terms of pay scales, the Defence Forces are paid increases in pay and allowances in line with Public Service pay agreements.

The Deputy may be aware that the current pay agreement, Building Momentum, provides for the following 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 1 February 2022 last,

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

The recently agreed, but yet to be balloted on, extension to this Building Momentum agreement, provides for further increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. This extension provides for a 6.5 % increase, in addition to existing Building Momentum arrangements, as follows:

- 3%, backdated to 2nd Feb 2022

- 2 % on 1st March 2022

- 1.5% or €750, whichever is the greater, on 1st October 2023.

Pensionable allowances in the nature of pay will also benefit.

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

It is also important to note that for those Defence Force personnel who have specialist appointments, based on training or qualifications, there are a range additional allowances available to them.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the programme of works to be carried out in 2023 to upgrade residential accommodation in Army barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48936/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, it has been a long-standing policy, to discontinue the historic provision of tied housing to Defence Forces personnel. This policy of discontinuing housing provision was introduced for the Defence Forces in the late 1990's and it is not intended to reverse this policy.

Separately, Single Living in Accommodation is provided for personnel where it is required for training and operational purposes. The provision of new and upgraded accommodation projects features prominently in the Defence Forces Infrastructure Plan. The Deputy may wish to note that I recently opened the newly refurbished Block 8 Accommodation in the Naval base at Haulbowline, which will allow for extra capacity in ensuring those on active service can avail of accommodation while on patrol duties. In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that the refurbishment of the USAC building at Renmore barracks has commenced construction while the refurbishment of Block H in McKee barracks will be completed in the coming weeks. As implementation of the Plan is gathering pace, the following projects, all aimed at improving capacity in accommodation, for serving personnel are due to commence construction in 2023:

- Refurbishment of Block 4 Haulbowline , Naval Service,

- New accommodation Block in Collins Barracks, Cork,

- Refurbishment of Block 1, Collins Barracks, Cork.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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111. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will outline the progress that is being made on the further evaluation being carried out on the issue of long-service increments in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48817/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government. I 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 was undertaken over a period of 5 months by my Department and the Defence Forces. This involved significant inter-departmental consultation, and I and my officials have engaged with key stakeholders to ascertain their views. Following this engagement, I returned to Government with a High Level Action Plan which was approved on July 12th of this year. As part of this, Government approved a move over a six-year period to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission, which will entail funding increases to reach a defence budget of c. €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates.

The High Level Action Plan set out proposed implementation and oversight structures, and the Implementation Oversight Group met for the first time on the 3rd of October. A civil/military Implementation Management Office has been established to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme required to implement recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The initial focus is the implementation of the 38 early actions as set out in the High Level Action Plan and the development of a detailed Implementation Plan. Reporting mechanisms have been established to facilitate regular progress reports on the early actions to the IMO and the civil/military Strategic Management Committee.

One of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces related to introducing Long Service Increments to the pay scales of all ranks of enlisted personnel. Though Long Service Increments exist in certain instances in the public sector, including certain ranks of the Defence Forces, they are not universal and as such, further evaluation is required on this recommendation, in order to ascertain how this could be progressed. Preliminary discussions on this recommendation have been undertaken as part of the development of the High Level Action Plan. Further evaluation of this recommendation will be progressed as one of the 38 early actions to be completed within 6 months of Government’s decision.