John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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33. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the plans that are in place or under discussion for the role of the Defence Forces in Mali, particularly given the volatile and mutable nature of the security situation in the wider Sahel region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5159/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Irish Defence Forces' personnel are currently deployed in the European Union Training Mission Mali (EUTM Mali). 

Ireland has participated in EUTM Mali since its launch in 2013. Government has approved the mandate for the deployment of up to twenty (20) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with EUTM Mali up to 23 March 2023.    

Following the decision of EU Member States in April 2022 to temporarily suspend the provision of operational training to formed units of the Malian armed forces and National Guard, the number of Defence Force personnel serving with the mission was reduced during the year in line with reduced training requirements in the mission from twenty to fourteen. 

The EUTM Mali mission is an integral part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to the situation in Mali and Africa’s Sahel region. EUTM Mali complements other EU projects and activities carried out in the context of the EU Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel. 

Ireland remains committed to EUTM Mali, notwithstanding the continuing deterioration in the political and security situation. However, in line with the overall reduction in the size of the mission, we have reduced our presence and that is likely to reduce further later in the spring. The sustainability of EUTM Mali itself may come into question depending on assessment of the long-term feasibility of fulfilling the mission's strategic objectives.

Irelands participation in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) concluded in September 2022.    From September 2019 to September 2022 Defence Forces personnel served as part of a joint deployment with the German Armed Forces at Camp Castor in GAO and at MINUSMA HQ in Bamako, where they carried out assigned tasks in accordance with the mission mandate.  Following an original two-year commitment, we subsequently agreed to extend our commitment for a third year, at the end of which Ireland's participation came to a planned conclusion.  

The deployment of Defence Forces personnel to all overseas missions is subject to ongoing review, particularly in relation to the safety and security of Irish personnel.  That applies to the Defence Forces' participation in EUTM Mali.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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34. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will outline his proposals to tackle the recruitment crisis in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5169/23]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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69. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the progress made by the Government in terms of reaching the targeted number of Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5028/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 69 together.

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces made it clear that the level of ambition (LOA) for the Defence Forces needed to be elevated beyond that at which it was operating. In that context, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to LOA 2. This will require an additional 2,000 personnel beyond the current establishment figure of 9,500.

The Defence Forces are developing strategies to achieve increased recruitment and to address the current shortfall in numbers. The target is to realise a Defence Forces strength of 11,500 by 2028, incorporating an appropriate civilian component. 

There are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives currently underway aimed at countering ongoing staffing challenges.   In respect of recruitment, there is ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment. A separate recruitment competition has also been launched specifically for Air Corps recruits. Direct entry competitions are ongoing as are the re-entry schemes for former members of the Permanent Defence Force. The 'Be More' recruitment campaign, launched last year, highlights the career opportunities available in the Defence Forces and also the wider benefits of membership.

Retention measures include service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and Naval Service, and the sea-going naval personnel tax credit. Agreement has also been secured to allow for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals and on an interim arrangement, for sergeants.

There has been significant progress on pay as a result of increases arising from the Public Service Pay Commission report, from recent pay agreements, and the early implementation of some of the recommendations of Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF). The implementation of two of these recommendations, namely personnel of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman rank being paid the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank; and the removal of the requirement for that cohort to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank, have had a substantial impact on starting pay rates in the Defence Forces, and compare very well to starting pay rates across the public service.  The pay rates including Military Service Allowance for the ranks of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman, in their first three years of service start at €36,418 in Year 1, rising to €37,788 in Year 2, and €39,050 in Year 3 of service.

My focus is 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.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total number of the Defence Force members who are eligible to receive the Covid pandemic recognition payment; the total number who have received the payment to date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4947/23]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the arrangements that have been made to ensure that former members of the Defence Forces who were involved in the Covid-19 response, for example, administering vaccines, and met the criteria to be categorised as frontline workers, will receive the €1,000 pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4775/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 39 together.

In January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.  

The payment is not subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The Government announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the payment.  The payment amounts to €1,000 for those eligible staff who worked at least 60% Whole Time Equivalent (WTE), for at least 4 weeks during the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021, and €600 for below 60% WTE. Those who worked less than 4 weeks are not in scope of the measure.

The measure is ring-fenced to eligible staff that were ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments during the pandemic. In terms of Defence Forces personnel, this means members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE.

Work to identify all COVID-related duties undertaken by members of the Defence Forces was completed by Military Management as an initial step in identifying personnel who may be eligible for this recognition payment.  Significant engagement subsequently took place between officials from the Department of Defence and the Department of Health to determine which of these duties were deemed "in scope" and therefore eligible for this payment, under the Department of Health's scheme. 

To date, on the basis of those eligibility criteria, 467 Defence Forces Personnel have been paid the full €1,000 Pandemic Recommendation Payment. This figure includes a number of 55 recently retired or discharged members of the Defence Forces, who were also deemed eligible, having carried out duties deemed in scope. In addition, officials in my Department have advised me that a further 20 members of the Defence Forces will be paid the recognition payment on 8 February next, 4 of whom are recently retired or discharged.  

I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to ensure that Pandemic Recognition payments continue to be made to eligible Defence Forces members in the shortest possible timeframe, and that assessment remains ongoing where eligible personnel are identified by Military Management. 

It is important to note however, that ultimate interpretation of the scheme remains a matter for the Minister for Health, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.