Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

260. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a survey of disused properties belonging to the Defence Forces has been undertaken, with a view to their repurposing as accommodation for refugees or those seeking asylum in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5310/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

272. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if obsolete or disused military installations can be utilised to cater for refugees or people who are homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5496/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 272 together. The provision of accommodation for homeless persons is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. I am advised that my Department has previously submitted returns to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, in accordance with their suitability criteria, on property holdings which could be considered for the provision of accommodation for those persons seeking refuge from the war in the Ukraine.

At present the following current and former military installations have been made available for the purposes of accommodating those seeking refuge:

- Kilbride Camp, Co. Wicklow

- Ballymullen Barracks, Kerry

- former Columb Barracks, Westmeath

- Gormanston Training Centre, Meath

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

261. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the portions of the report of the Defence Forces that have been implemented or are in the course thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5485/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022.  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 the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Following this engagement, a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government were brought to Government and approved on July 12th 2022.

This involved the approval of 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 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.

The move to LOA2 will require an additional 2,000 personnel (civil and military) over and above the current establishment of 9,500.  Work has already commenced on this with the recently announced recruitment campaign, ‘BE MORE’.

Some specific initiatives include the immediate commencement of planning for military radar capabilities, including primary radar and the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs with the priority objective of developing a regeneration plan for the Reserve Defence Force.  

The High Level Action Plan set out initial implementation and oversight structures. An Implementation Oversight Group has been established which met for the first time on the 3rd of October.  Subsequently, Ms. Julie Sinnamon was appointed as the Independent Chair of the Implementation Oversight Group with a second meeting taking place on the 17th of November and a third meeting taking place on the 27th of January. A High-Level Steering Board has been established, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, to oversee the implementation. 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.

Government noted that, in light of the Commission’s report, there is an urgent need for HR and cultural transformation in the Defence Forces and this will be prioritised. The High Level Action Plan identifies the recruitment, through an open process, for the new senior-level civilian positions of Head of Transformation and Head of Strategic HR for the Defence Forces as early actions required to progress this transformation.

The High Level Action Plan set out a total of 38 early actions to be completed within 6 months of the Government decision. To date approximately two thirds of these 38 early actions have been achieved, including:

- Head of Transformation and Head of Strategic HR positions advertised externally and progressed;

- Implementation and governance structures developed and initiated including the establishment of an Implementation Oversight Group with an independent chair (Ms. Julie Sinnamon appointed);

- 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;

- Recruitment and induction strategies developed encompassing advertising, expanded recruitment and induction capacity;

Progress has been made on the remaining early actions, with most currently at an advanced stage and due to be completed shortly including: the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs; the commencement of Army force design planning and the establishment of a Capability Development planning process and permanent structure. I intend to publish a comprehensive written update on all 38 early actions in the coming weeks.

One of the key early actions is the development of a Detailed Implementation Plan, which is also at an advanced stage. This Detailed Implementation Plan will clearly set out the work that is to be progressed in implementing the Commission recommendations in full.  It is a priority for me that this plan is both ambitious and credible and supports the transformation of the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland.  My focus is ensuring that we get this plan right to support the transformation of the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

262. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which gender-based abuse has been fully eradicated at all levels of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5486/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

 The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by Government, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces as well as the prevailing workplace culture. 

I wish to commend the courage of serving members, the Women of Honour group and the Men and Women of Honour group, who have shared their experiences of unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces. It was clear that there was a very critical and immediate need to address the prevailing work culture, including issues relating to the current systems, policies and procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces.

The primary objective of all concerned, at the outset, was to acknowledge issues in the current workplace and to establish a course of action that would address that. The Independent Review Group has undertaken this work in the past 12 months. Many stakeholders, including serving members, have lent their support to the Independent Review Group.

In accordance with the Terms of Reference, the Group will provide a Final Report with their findings to me within a year. I understand the Group are nearing the conclusion on the report and it will be submitted to me later this week which I will consider in full, in consultation with the Attorney General. I wish to reiterate that the Final Report will be brought to Government, before being published. 

The government  has  have at all times been very clear that it  would await this comprehensive report and that any further body of work required was not being ruled out.

I don't wish to pre-empt the recommendations in the Report, but it is my intention to ensure they are all fulfilled. 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.

The Deputy will also be aware that  interim support measures are available  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. 

In conclusion, I wish to assure the Deputy of my am full commitment 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. That is an absolute priority.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

263. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which the strength of the Defence Forces is being monitored, with a view to ensuring optimum levels throughout the entire structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5487/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

264. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made in increasing the strength of the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5488/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

265. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made in increasing the strength of the Air Corps, with particular reference to the need for increased capacity in surveillance, coastal and otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5489/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

266. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made in increasing the strength of the Navy, with particular reference to the need for increased capacity in surveillance, coastal and otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5490/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 263, 264, 265 and 266 together.

As at 31 December 2022, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was 7,987 personnel comprised of 6,478 Army personnel, 800 Naval Service personnel and 709 Air Corps personnel.  This equates to some 84% of the current PDF establishment strength of 9,500. 

My immediate focus is now on stabilising the staffing situation in the Defence Forces, and thereafter in bringing its strength to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.  While there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives currently underway aimed at countering ongoing staffing challenges, the Defence Forces are also developing further strategies in this regard.

Notwithstanding staffing challenges, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including surveillance patrols to protect specific fisheries and security operations with aerial assistance in patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone provided by the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron. 

The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. Furthermore, the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats and emergencies under constant review.  I am satisfied that the Defence Forces will continue to respond in an effective and timely manner to such events were they to occur in the State.