Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A wide range of medical services are provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force. These include an annual medical examination, sick parades, attendance at GP surgery outside of sick parade and out-of-hours GP services, prescription services, laboratory services, physiotherapy, chiropody, radiology, ophthalmic examinations, in-patient and outpatient public hospital charges, routine dental treatment and the provision of overseas medical services, including global comprehensive medical insurance in the case of Defence Forces personnel (including dependents) assigned to longer term overseas administrative posts.

Additionally, private medical care (i.e. private consultant appointments, diagnostic tests and semi-private hospital treatment has been made available to all ranks since September 2023, following on from a Programme for Government commitment and a recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

Medical mental health services available to personnel include access to clinical psychology and psychiatry services. The psychology service assesses, diagnoses, treats and advises on strategies to prevent mental health disorders, and there are currently two Clinical Psychologists employed by the Defence Forces. Psychiatry services specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. There is currently one dedicated civilian consultant psychiatrist engaged by the Defence Forces.

In addition to these clinical supports, non-medical mental health services are provided by the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service (PSS). The PSS provides a welfare, information, psycho-social support and referral service to serving members of the Defence Forces and their families. The service is also available to civilian employees, and in a limited role to retired personnel. This service sustains and enhances the individual well-being of personnel, and promotes a safe and positive work culture, in order to support the effectiveness of the Defence Forces.

The service is delivered through a network of military Barrack PSS Officers and civilian Occupational Social Workers. This network of professionals is prepared to provide immediate help to service personnel and their families in a routine environment or at a time of crisis. This assistance can range from the simple provision of information to counselling or, if required, signposting and referral to specialist help and assistance.

In addition, my Department funds a confidential counselling, referral and support service for serving members of the Defence Forces, civilian employees and Civil Defence volunteers. The service provides confidential counselling on a wide range of personal and work related issues, including but not limited to health, relationships, addictions, financial, bereavement, stress, conflict, critical incident and trauma. A Freephone confidential helpline is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year. The helpline provides for referral to appointment-based telephone or face-to-face counselling.

The aforementioned benefits apply to serving personnel and do not continue post-retirement. Post-retirement, former members of the Permanent Defence Force have access to the wide range of supports available to all citizens of the State.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As of 09 February 2024, the most recent figures available, Ireland is contributing 530 Defence Forces personnel to overseas missions and locations. The two main missions in which personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 332 personnel, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 132 personnel.

I am advised that the situation in Southern Lebanon is dynamic and unpredictable with kinetic activity continuing to emanate from both North and South of the Blue Line. The situation in the UNIFIL area of operations is tense and remains unpredictable. In the UNDOF Area of responsibility (AOR), on the Golan Heights the situation also remains volatile and unpredictable.

I wish to reassure the Deputy however that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the Government, and I remain in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff on this matter. My Department is also kept apprised of all developments in those areas in which Defence Forces’ personnel are deployed. Government will also continue to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN and in the wider international community.

Military Management has stated that all Defence Forces’ personnel are maintaining a high level of vigilance and continue to monitor the developing situation in their respective mission areas. Defence Forces personnel are well trained prior to deployment to mitigate against risks and scenarios that may arise in deployments overseas, including the circumstances in which they find themselves currently. In both the UNIFIL and UNDOF missions referred to, personnel are complying with UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions (GROUNDHOG), as appropriate.

With regard to UNIFIL particularly, contingency planning is part and parcel of the planning in operational deployments. Given the ongoing security issues in the region, contingency planning is ongoing should the need for evacuation arise. It should be underlined however that the Government remains committed to UNIFIL and has no plans to evacuate our personnel.

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland's commitment to UNDOF is currently nearing is completion, with troops due to return home in the next six weeks. In the interim period however, Defence Forces personnel in UNDOF also continue to maintain a high level of vigilance, including taking shelter in protected positions as and when appropriate.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In 2023, I sanctioned, with the agreement of the Minister and Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform, the implementation of the Decision of the Arbitration Board under the Schemes for Conciliation & Arbitration for the Civil Service, Defence Forces and Teachers regarding the Claim by the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) for an increase in the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) Allowance, with effect from 1st October 2021.

The Department’s Finance Branch has processed both the increase and the ensuing back pay element arising from the Board’s decision, with 1st October 2021 as the effective implementation date.

The decision of the Arbitration Board under the Schemes for Conciliation & Arbitration for the Civil Service, Defence Forces and Teachers regarding the Claim by the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) also recommended, and in line with the 2010 Adjudicator’s finding, that further three yearly reviews should take place. The next review is due to take place later this year.

The current rates of ARW allowances (last increased on 1^st October 2023) are €292.47 per week for post-2013 enlisted personnel (€280.44 for pre-2013), and €283.25 per week for officers.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has always been and continues to be a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the 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).

Ireland has participated in 16 separate peacekeeping missions in the years 2019 up to 2024.

The actual number of Defence Forces personnel deployed overseas on peacekeeping missions on a per-year basis from the years 2019 to date are listed below in tabular format.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) was established in 2021 with a mission “to ensure Ireland develops appropriate, leading edge and trusted defence and security capabilities in the land, sea, air, space and cyber domains, in order to protect our society, create jobs, drive research and enhance Ireland’s economic growth”.

National Defence Industry Associations’ (NDIA) are the norm in many EU member states, providing support to industry operating in defence markets in a number of ways, by creating networks, disseminating information and assisting contractors to find suitable sub-contractors. They are important for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The IDSA also plays a role in bridging the gap between Irish industry and Defence through regular engagement with the civil/military team in the Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Unit within the Department of Defence.

The RTI Unit, which was established in 2021, has set a new strategic direction for Defence innovation and collaboration by driving internal innovation in the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces and contributing to the development of a security and defence dual-use innovation eco-system. The Defence RTI Unit also aims to support Irish enterprise and research bodies in accessing EU funding streams, including through the European Defence Fund and the European Defence Agency and their engagement with European networks and SMEs across the EU.

Regular engagement between the IDSA and the RTI Unit supports those objectives and includes the sharing of information regarding European Defence Fund and other opportunities that could benefit Irish industry, SME's and research institutes.

The IDSA have participated in the annual Defence networking and information events hosted by the RTI Unit for Irish Industry and Higher Level Academic Institutions. The Chairman of the Association gave a presentation at last years event and also met with officials in my Department to discuss defence industry related matters.

At Ministerial level, I corresponded in writing with the IDSA during 2023 and my predecessor, Minister Coveney met with the Association at their request in 2022. Matters relating to financing of European Defence Fund projects and other opportunities for Irish enterprises to access funding were among the topics discussed.

As required the IDSA is registered in line with The Regulation of Lobbying legislation as “Defence Security Industry and Research Ireland CLG (Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA))".