Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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316. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Irish peacekeepers currently serving overseas. [59002/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As of 1 November 2022, Ireland is contributing 554 personnel to 7 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 351 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 133 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).

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 November 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

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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317. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of new recruits to the Army in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [59003/22]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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318. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of persons who have retired from the Army in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [59004/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.

I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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319. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of the planned upgrades that will be carried out to Defence Forces buildings in 2023. [59076/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper 2015.A mid term review of the Plan has recently been completed by my Department and the Defence Forces. This updated review sets out the projects to be progressed in the coming 5 years and will be published shortly. Despite ongoing pressures facing the construction sector from the war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the global pandemic, 2022 was a largely positive year with a record level of money provided to support and improve the building stock. We are going even further in 2023, with an allocation for next year of €55m, the biggest yearly allocation towards the building programme since the 2008 economic crash.

In terms of 2022, the following significant capital projects were under construction during the year at a combined value of some €23m:

- Refurbishment of Block 8, Haulbowline

- Upgrade of the Former USAC Building, Renmore

- Cadet School HQ, Defence Forces Training Centre

- Upgrade to Barracks HQ, McKee Barracks

- Provision of an Equipment Storage Facility

- Remediation of Spencer Jetty, Haulbowline

In addition to the above, the completion of the upgrade and refurbishment works to Block H in McKee Barracks is expected in the coming weeks. This project, which involves significant refurbishment of a protected building, will on completion provide single living in accommodation for Defence Forces personnel.

The Deputy may wish to note that are currently over €100m worth of projects underway at different stages of development.

In addition, the following projects are scheduled for advancement in 2023

- Refurbishment of Block F, McKee Barracks,

- Upgrade of Block 9 (Office Accommodation), Haulbowline

- Upgrade of Block 4 (Living In Accommodation), Haulbowline

- New CIS building, DFTC, Curragh

- Refurbishment of Accommodation Block, Collins barracks,

- New ARW head quarters, DFTC, Curragh.

In addition to the above my Department allocates funding each year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This devolved budget is a regular feature of the Delegated functions assigned to the Defence Forces by my Department. The individual prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.