James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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32. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding ongoing developments to improve the quality and quantity of accommodation for service personnel in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13209/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for affording me the opportunity to outline the significant investments we are making in improving the Defence Forces built infrastructure, including improving accommodation facilities for our personnel. This year we are providing some €55m in improving our built infrastructure; a record allocation which will increase in the years ahead to match the roll out of new projects.

There are currently over €100m worth of projects underway at different stages of development. Since the Plan was launched, €22m worth of accommodation projects have been completed, providing 365 additional bed spaces at several barracks around the country.

Building on the progress of the last three years, 2023 is on track to be a largely positive year with historic levels of investment; with specific accommodation projects in

- Renmore Barracks - at a cost of €10m and now well underway;

- A New Accommodation Block in Collins Barracks also now under construction and to be followed by the major refurbishment of existing accommodation in the Barracks; and

- The refurbishment of Block 4 in the Naval base to commence on site later this year.

There are more accommodation projects planned for 2024 and beyond. Taken together these projects will provide an additional 960 bed spaces.

As the Deputy, may know I recently instructed that some housing stock in the Curragh Camp marked down for demolition was to be renovated and modernised for accommodation purposes. In addition, I have instructed that an assessment be carried out of all other housing stock under my Department 's control to ascertain their suitability to return to modern accommodation usage.

I should also mention that I have recently visited several Barracks' and have witnessed at first hand, the improvements being made and the positive impact these improvements make to our personnel. The Deputy can be assured that I have impressed upon my officials and senior military management the imperative of maintaining and building on the momentum we have witnessed in recent years.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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37. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total military provided accommodation available at present for Defence Forces personnel; the plans he has to extend this provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13683/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline the significant investments we are making in improving the Defence Forces built infrastructure.

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 key feature of the IDP is the modernisation and upgrading of accommodation facilities for serving members of the Defence Forces. The capital allocation for this year alone is €45 million with a further €10 million allocated to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its current building stock.

At present, there are 4,509 military accommodation bed spaces for Defence Forces personnel across the country. Over the coming years in excess of 500 additional beds spaces are scheduled for provision throughout the country.

As the Deputy may know I recently instructed that some housing stock in the Curragh Camp marked down for demolition was to be renovated and modernised for accommodation purposes. In addition, I have instructed that an assessment be carried out of all other housing stock under my Department’s control to ascertain their suitability to return to modern accommodation usage.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the Commission on Defence report; the steps are being taken to implement its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13210/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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41. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which work is in hand to implement the recommendations of the Report on the Defence Forces with particular reference to key matters which need urgent attention; if discussions continue to take place with the relevant organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14100/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 41 together.

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 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 High Level Action Plan set out a total of 38 early actions to be completed within 6 months of the Government decision. Substantial progress has been made on the early actions, with most currently at an advanced stage and due to be completed shortly. I will be reporting in detail on these actions later today with full details of the progress for all of the early actions, in a comprehensive published document.

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

Retention measures being implemented include service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and in the Naval Service and the sea going naval personnel tax credit.

Pay has improved 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 High Level Action Plan set out initial implementation and oversight structures. An independently chaired Implementation Oversight Group has been established to monitor the implementation of the recommendations approved by Government, and met for the first time on the 3rd of October. Ms. Julie Sinnamon has been appointed as the independent chair of the Implementation Oversight Group. There have been four meetings of the Group to date, most recently on the 27th of February. A High-Level Steering Board has been established, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, to oversee the implementation. The High Level Steering Board met for the first time on the 1st of March. 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.

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 identified 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. Recruitment is currently underway for these two key appointments, which were advertised in Q4 2022.

It is important to acknowledge that a key factor in ensuring that the required progress is achieved will be effective and timely stakeholder engagement. The Defence Forces Representative Associations have been part of that stakeholder engagement and will continue to be fully consulted on all matters that fall within the scope of Representation. Engagement with relevant Government Departments also remains ongoing.

A key early action, and key output from the opening phase of the Transformation Programme, the development of a detailed implementation plan, is at an advanced stage and is expected to be published in Q2 of 2023. This plan will clearly set out the work needed to fully realise the transformation of the Defence Forces and defence provision in Ireland. It is a priority for me that this plan is both ambitious and credible if we are to realise the necessary transformation of the Defence Forces. It is important that the development of this plan is completed expediently but more important that we get it right.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on protecting Ireland's undersea cables in conjunction with NATO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12645/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My officials and the Defence Forces continue to engage with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the protection of Ireland’s offshore energy infrastructure and data cables. While the Defence Forces have limited sub-sea capabilities, enhanced maritime patrolling of the Irish Sea in the vicinity of priority offshore energy infrastructure and data cables is ongoing. The enhanced patrolling is being conducted by a mixture of air and naval platforms. However, it would not be appropriate to comment on any specific operational measures. The Naval Service has no unilateral powers of enforcement in relation to damage, criminal or otherwise, to undersea cables or other communication links in Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Ireland’s relations with NATO are set within the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and Partnership for Peace (PfP), including its Planning and Review Process (PARP). Ireland joined EAPC and Partnership for Peace (PfP) on 1 December 1999.

The renewed partnership programme for the 2023 - 2027 period is currently being progressed. This presents an opportunity to enhance our cooperation in relevant areas, potentially including cyber and hybrid, enhancing resilience, and improved maritime situational awareness. Discussions are at an early stage. I must be clear when I say that cooperating with NATO on areas of mutual interest does not indicate a move closer to NATO, this is about practical cooperation, which is of benefit to Ireland. As with all updated partnership frameworks, Ireland’s 2023 ITPP will be brought to Government for approval in due course.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures being examined to address the high level of discharge rates in the Defence Forces; if he is satisfied that the current level of recruitment can address the major gaps appearing in the ranks throughout the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14094/23]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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49. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps his Department is taking to address the retention and recruitment crisis within the Defence Forces. [13943/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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245. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Defence Forces; the extent to which this is in line with the recent report on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14601/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 49 and 245 together.

As of the 28 February 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,917 personnel.

Recruitment and retention difficulties in the Defence Forces have been previously acknowledged and the Defence Forces are developing strategies to achieve increased recruitment and to address the current shortfall in numbers. The longer-term target is to realise a Defence Forces strength of 11,500 by 2028, incorporating an appropriate civilian component, in line with the recommendation of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. However, in the short-term the focus is on stabilising current numbers.

In that context, there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives currently underway. There is ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment and the re-entry schemes remain open. A specific general service stream is also now open for Air Corps recruits. 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 and from recent pay agreements. The early implementation of some of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces report, have also had a substantial impact on starting pay rates in the Defence Forces, which compare very well to starting pay rates across the public service.

As noted, my immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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45. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he plans any review of existing defence structures in the Border counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14234/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government. The report of the Commission was published on 9th February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended 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 last year Government approved a High-Level Action Plan in response to the Commission report. As part of this, approval was given for 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.

Implementation structures have been put in place encompassing an Implementation Oversight Group, a High-Level Steering Board and an Implementation Management Office (IMO) to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme required to implement recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

The High-Level Action Plan also sets out all the recommendations contained within the report and designates a response of Accept, Accept in Principle, Further Evaluation or Revert.

There are a number of recommendations contained in the report which may impact on the structure of the Defence Forces including that the structure of the Army be reviewed, and in that context, the disposition of Units across the Defence Forces may be considered.

The recommendation, that the structure of the Army be reviewed, was identified as an Early Action in the High-Level Action Plan. Military authorities are progressing the establishment of an office of Army Force design which will undertake the work required to give effect to this recommendation. The Implementation Management Office is working on the production of a detailed implementation plan for the remaining recommendations which will include those which may assist with informing any decision about the future structure and organisation of the Defence Forces.

Another of the Early Actions identified is the commencement of the Strategic Defence Review. This review is the second in the cycle of reviews as proposed in the White Paper on Defence and follows the 2019 White Paper Update.These cycles of reviews are to give assurance that defence policy remains up to date and relevant to the changing circumstances and bring certainty and regularity to defence planning.

As set out in the White Paper these reviews will be based on an updated security assessment and a fresh consideration of the implications of this assessment for policy requirements, associated tasks, capability development and resourcing.

The first stage of this review will be a security environment analysis to be conducted by an interdepartmental working group which has commenced recently.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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46. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has any plans to review the triple lock process for authorising Irish military participation in overseas deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13680/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The so-called “Triple Lock” mechanism, which sets out the requirements for the deployment of the Defence Forces for peacekeeping operations overseas, is set down in legislation, in particular the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 and the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, as amended.

The legislation provides that:

- the operation must be mandated by the United Nations;

- it must be approved by the Government; and

- it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann

Any modification to the triple lock requirements for peacekeeping operations overseas, where the Irish Government can deploy DF personnel, would require a change in primary legislation to remove the requirement for the operation to be mandated by the United Nations.

While there are no immediate plans to change the triple lock requirements, my Department has recently commenced work on a Strategic Defence Review, which will provide an opportunity to review all aspects of defence policy, including the conditions under which Defence Forces' personnel are deployed overseas.

Arising from the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, a significant overhaul of the Defence Acts will be required. This will provide an opportunity to modernise the legislation in a range of areas, including, if considered appropriate, in relation to the legal requirements for overseas deployments.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Following an assessment of overseas commitments and on military advice, I have taken the decision to withdraw an Infantry Group, comprising some 130 personnel, from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with effect from April 2024.

The decision to withdraw the Infantry Group personnel was taken in order for the Defence Forces to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions.

Following the withdrawal in April 2024 the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will continue to be the primary focus of Army resources and operations overseas, with over 340 personnel deployed to that mission.

The number of posts that Ireland can fill in UNIFIL is a matter for the United Nations, in consultation with other troop contributing countries. In view of the decision to withdraw the Infantry Group from UNDOF, I have asked my Department to explore with the United Nations the possibility of providing a modest increase in our troop contribution to UNIFIL. I expect that discussions in this regard will commence shortly.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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48. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide details of plans to recruit more civilians for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14313/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Civilian Employees are employed by my Department to support the operational capability of the Defence Forces. The recruitment of Civilian Employees for military instillations is an ongoing process, informed by prioritisation of posts by military management.

In addition, there are 15 civil servants embedded in military units providing a range of specialist inputs including procurement, analytical, and financial expertise.

Arising from the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, a Top Level Appointments Committee recruitment process is currently in process to select a Head of Transformation and a Head of Strategic HR for the Defence Forces. Both appointees will be civil servants.

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.

As is clear both from the experience to date and the Commission on the Defence Forces' analysis, there are areas which lend themselves to civilian expertise and skill sets and which do not of necessity require to be filled by military personnel. This will inform the development of workforce planning for the Defence Forces in the coming years.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there will be a new army headquarters in Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14164/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022.

The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommended 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 last year Government approved a High-Level Action Plan in response to the Commission report. As part of this, approval was given for 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.

Implementation structures have been put in place encompassing an Implementation Oversight Group, a High-Level Steering Board and an Implementation Management Office (IMO) to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme required to implement recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

The High Level Action Plan also sets out all the recommendations contained within the report and designates a response of Accept, Accept in Principle, Further Evaluation or Revert.

There are a number of recommendations contained in the report which may impact on the structure of the Defence Forces including that the structure of the Army be reviewed, and in that context, the disposition of Units across the Defence Forces may be considered.

The recommendation, that the structure of the Army be reviewed, was identified as an Early Action in the High Level Action Plan. Military authorities are progressing the establishment of an office of Army Force design which will undertake the work required to give effect to this recommendation. The Implementation Management Office is working on the production of a detailed implementation plan for the remaining recommendations which will include those which may assist with informing any decision about an Army headquarters.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to engage in speculative discussion on this matter prior to completion of the ongoing process.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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52. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions that he is taking to improve pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14200/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There have been a number of recent key pay improvements for Defence Forces personnel, which I will outline.

With its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022, the Government committed to a range of measures which have (and will) positively impact pay and conditions for personnel.My Department has already implemented two of the pay-related recommendations of the Report; namely,

- All personnel of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman rank are paid the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank, and

- The requirement for that cohort to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at the rank has been removed.

These measures resulted in the pay rates (including MSA) for Private 3 Star and Able Seamen, in their first three years of service, starting at €37,147 in Year 1, rising to €38,544 in Year 2, and €39,832 in Year 3. These rates compare very favourably with starting rates of pay across the public service, and there is scope for further income from duty allowances.

For newly recruited Officers, starting Pay, including MSA, amounts to: - €46,406 for a graduate cadet on commissioning, and - €41,123 for a school leaver cadet on commissioning.

As with the enlisted, there is scope for further income from duty allowances. There are also opportunities for frequent career advancement to higher ranks & to qualify for additional allowances.

Further measures delivered included:

- Access to the Sea-going Service Commitment Scheme for personnel with one year’s service in the Naval Service (reduced from three years),

- Extensions of the Naval Service Sea Going Commitment Scheme and the Naval Service Tax Credit, and

- Extending service limits for Privates, Corporals and Sergeants.

My Department also delivered the Commission recommendation on temporary associate membership for the Representative Associations with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) for the purpose of participation in public sector pay negotiations in mid-2020. This allowed RACO and PDFORRA, for the first time, to take part in discussions on the extension to the Building Momentum Pay Agreement under the ICTU umbrella.

The Commission Report makes a range of further recommendations impacting on remuneration, and the Government’s High-Level Action Plan (HLAP) on the Report, commits to further evaluation of:

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

2.Introducing Long Service Increments to the pay scales of all ranks of enlisted personnel, and

3.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.

Discussions on the first are underway between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, and work in ongoing within my Department on the latter two.

In addition, the Plan states a commitment to commence examination of options in relation to a mechanism for review of existing specialist pay rates and allowances.

Aside from these improvements, and specifically in terms of pay, the Defence Forces are paid increases in pay and allowances in line with Public Service pay agreements.

The most recent agreement, the extension to ‘Building Momentum’, provided for increases in pay and allowances of 6.5% to members of the Defence Forces in 2022 and 2023. This includes:

- 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 also benefit from this.

The 3% increase, back-dated to February 2022, was paid to all serving members of the Defence Forces by 30th November 2022 last. The remaining Building Momentum 1% increase, due on October 2022, was also paid by this date.

I am also pleased to inform the Deputy that the latest increase of 2%, due on 1st March last, has also been paid to Enlisted personnel, while Officers will see their increases on 31st March.

In addition, the implementation of the Sectoral Bargaining Fund element of the original Building Momentum Agreement has resulted in additional payments totalling €373,000 extra per annum - payments which primarily benefit over 471 of the Defence Force’s lower paid members. The implementation of the Technical Pay Groups 2-6 review has also resulted in almost €1 million in additional technical pay to those covered by the Review, to date.

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 duty allowances, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission in 2019. It is important to note also that for those Defence Force personnel who have specialist appointments, based on training or qualifications, there is a range of additional allowances available to them. For example, members of the Army Ranger Wing receive an allowance of €225 per week, on top of their salary.

Finally, it has to be noted that the Defence Forces offers opportunities for education and personal development, to include fully funded opportunities to gain professional and academic qualifications, while receiving full pay and allowances, as well as providing training for career advancements and promotion opportunities.