Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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230. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which steps are ongoing to progress the recently published report on the future of the Defence Forces with particular reference to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49423/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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231. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps that are being taken to date towards the implementation of the Review of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49424/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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232. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which precise action has been taken, is due to be taken or is ongoing in respect of each branch of the Defence Forces, Army, Naval Services and Air Corps with a view to the early implmentation of the report on the future of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49425/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 232 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. 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 and a Memo for Government which were approved on 12 July 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 3 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 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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233. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which Army pay, conditions, and strength of the army is in progress or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49426/22]

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 area. 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. This includes, inter alia, consideration of morale, recruitment and retention matters. 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;

- 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 starting at €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 examination of options in relation to a mechanism for review of existing specialist pay rates and allowances. A review will also commence of existing sea-going allowances to consider their replacement with less complex measures.

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, under this pay deal. 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 2023

- 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.

All of these measures will have a further positive impact on the pay and conditions of Defence Forces personnel.

In terms of the Defence Forces strength, As at 31 August, 2022, the most recent date that figures are to hand, the strength of the Defence Forces was as follows:

-PDF was 8,146 personnel(establishment strength 9,500)

- Army was 6,621 personnel(establishment strength 7,520)

- Air Corps was 704 personnel (establishment strength 886)

- Naval Service was 821 personnel(establishment strength 1,094)

As Minister, my focus remains on restoring all branches of the Defence Forces to the current agreed strength.

I remain committed to maximising recruitment and retention of personnel, both male and female, to maintain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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234. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which the Air Corps is in the course of being modernised and upgraded in line with other defence forces throughout the European Union in order to combat any imminent threat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49427/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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235. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which action is imminent to ensure the upgrading of the Naval Service in line with requirements and potential threats from whatever quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49428/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are being modernised and upgraded to ensure the best possible response in the event of an incursion from whatever quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49429/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 234, 235 and 236 together.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. 

In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.

Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. A five year Equipment Development Plan for continued re-equipment was developed on a civil military basis and was published in June 2020.  The Equipment Planning process recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing iterative process.

There are a number of defensive equipment acquisition and upgrade projects for which there will be capital expenditure in the coming years. These include the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III Armoured Personnel Carrier vehicles which is well underway as well as the completion of the delivery of an additional 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles. The Army's non-armoured fleet continues to be updated also with over 220 vehicles due for delivery in 2022.    

In relation to air-based capability, the programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is well underway with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. Alongside the recently acquired PC-12 aircraft some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all of these enhanced capabilities.  

The Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing and the programme includes radar and other equipment upgrades along with the replacement of Naval Service Reserve motor launches. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of LÉ Róisín has been completed, while works are ongoing on LÉ Niamh. Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of multi-role vessel to replace the flagship, LÉ Eithne, with work underway that will inform a public tender competition in due course. Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara, it is expected these vessels will be transported to Ireland in 2023 following the completion of a programme of works.

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.

In July Government approval was given for a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission.  The recent Budget for 2023 included an increase of €67m over the 2022 budget for Defence.  This includes an almost 25% increase in Capital funding and demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security threats.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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237. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which the Defence Forces in Ireland are equipped and have sufficient upgrades to protect such vital installations as communications networks over ground or under sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49430/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Naval Service and the Air Corps carry out surveillance of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and periodically patrol beyond these limits to protect specific fisheries. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in that they undertake general surveillance, security and other duties while conducting their primary day-to-day tasking of providing a fishery protection service in accordance with the State’s obligations as a member of the European Union.

Naval Service patrols are complemented by assistance provided by the Air Corps. The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron supports this role providing aerial assistance to the Naval Service in patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using the two CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft which are due to be replaced in 2023 with the expected delivery of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing, this programme includes equipment upgrades along with the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class of vessels.

Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara, it is expected these vessels will be transported to Ireland in 2023 following the completion of a programme of works. The project to procure a Multi Role Vessel for the Naval Service is also being progressed.

The Naval Service retains certain capabilities that allow for underwater search and surveying. As part of the ongoing development of capabilities, further capabilities that will enhance the Naval Service’s under-sea situational awareness, such as multi-beam echo sounder systems are also being developed.

In relation to the development of sub-sea capabilities, the Commission on the Defence Forces report considered that a step up to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2) should seek to deliver enhancement of sub-surface capabilities to monitor sub-sea cables. The report states that to achieve this would mean the Naval fleet should have enhanced air, surface and sub-surface search capabilities, with the latter allowing the Naval Service to monitor activity in the vicinity of sub-sea cables. In order to achieve these desired capability effects associated with a move to LOA2, specific recommendations made by the Commission, that were Accepted in Principle by Government when it published its High Level Action Plan, included an accelerated programme of Naval vessel replacement to ensure a balanced fleet of nine modern ships by early in the next decade.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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238. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which gender respect has been promoted and any attempts at abuse, sexual or otherwise, completely ruled out in the Defence Forces; if action has been taken to ensure compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49431/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am 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 and by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse.

Over the last twenty years since the 2002 publication of the External Advisory Group on the Defence Forces and the three subsequent reports from the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG), a number of reforms have been implemented for addressing allegations of inappropriate behaviour, including harassment, sexual harassment and bullying, which are contained in policy documents and in Defence Force Regulation.

The Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan additionally aims to ensure that a transparent culture exists, that encourages personnel to report inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.

Despite the reforms that have taken place in recent years however, it is clear from the experiences shared by both current and former members of the Defence Forces that the culture that is pervading, and the application of those policies, systems and procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour have not, and are not, serving all Defence Forces personnel well.

The work of the Judge-led Independent Review Group (IRG), established by me on 25 January last, following Government approval, is examining issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct, as well as workplace culture, in the Defence Forces.

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.

This Independent Review is a necessary and critical step to fulfill my duty of care obligation to the men and women of the Defence Forces, to provide a safe work environment. The serving members of the Defence Forces, expect nothing less.

I wish to emphasise, that the work of the Independent Review Group is entirely independent in keeping with the Terms of Reference and I must allow the Group full independence and autonomy to undertake its body of work, under its Chair, Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon.

Separately, I am aware that the Military Authorities have undertaken a number of initiatives. In November 2021, the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy convened the Organisational Culture Standing Committee (OCSC) to drive and coordinate the process of cultural change within the Defence Forces. The OCSC will provide appropriate military support to the Independent Review and establish a cultural change programme, framed around the Chief of Staff’s Planning Guidance, and coordinate its implementation. The programme includes but is not limited to:

- Measures of Performance (MOPs) and Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs).

- The requirement for Cultural Audits.

- Appropriate reporting, measurement and oversight mechanisms.

The OCSC is engaging with leaders at all levels across the Defence Forces, and has the authority to engage with any Defence Forces member it deems appropriate throughout the consultation process.

The committee will engage with any relevant stakeholders and agencies as necessary, including, but not limited to, my officials in the Department of Defence, the Representative Associations, and relevant external organisations.

The Deputy will also be aware that I announced last year, interim support measures for members of the Defence Forces impacted by unacceptable behaviour in the workplace.

The appointment of a Confidential Contact Person (CCP) within Raisecaconcern, is available to assist both serving and former members of the Defence Forces and provides a safe place to support the reporting of alleged wrongdoing in the workplace.

The Confidential Contact Person is independent and outside of the chain of command and their role is listen to the caller, assist them in documenting their allegations, and provide guidance on follow-on options.

In addition, the INSPIRE confidential helpline, which is available on a 24/7 basis for all serving members of the Defence Forces, has also been made available to anyone who has contacted the Confidential Contact Person.

The Personnel Support Service (PSS) in the Defence Forces assists members and their immediate family with the provision of information and advice on areas including stress management, counselling and referral options.

Finally, I wish to add also that the Terms of Reference for the Independent Review are wide-ranging and provide that Government may consider further work on receipt of the Group’s findings. I am eager for this work to be concluded. The final report which is to be presented to me at the end of the year, will be brought to Government, before being published.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are currently being brought up to optimum levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49432/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As at 31 August, 2022, the latest date such details are available, the strength of the PDF was 8,146 personnel or 86% of the current agreed strength of 9,500. This was comprised of

- Army6,621

- Air Corps 704

- Naval Service821

My focus is now on bringing the strength of the Defence Forces to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. There are a number of initiatives which are presently being implemented to counter current staffing challenges including:

- Commitment schemes in the Air Corps and Naval Service

- A special tax credit for seagoing Naval Service personnel

- A re-entry scheme for former personnel

- Ongoing recruitment, including direct entry competitions

- The ongoing review of the scope, and terms and conditions, of direct entry competitions to improve intakes

- Significant progress on pay within the Defence Forces including increases from recent pay agreements

The capacity of the Defence Forces to undertake the tasks assigned by Government continues to be carefully monitored to ensure they retain their capacity to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and abroad.