Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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132. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he plans to bring forward changes to the public service pension to allow workers to work past their contracted retirement date, as per the recent announcement from the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14564/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As of 29 March 2024, all Permanent Defence Forces personnel who currently have a mandatory retirement age of less than 60, may remain in service until 60 subject to fulfilling certain existing criteria, for example physical and medical fitness.

As announced on 5 March 2024, in tandem with the changes made to the mandatory retirement age, a new fast accrual pensions' policy framework has been approved and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is preparing the necessary legislation which, when enacted, will allow for a further increase in the mandatory retirement age for all Permanent Defence Force ranks to 62. I will work closely with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform as his Department works to progress the legislative changes required to finalise the new framework.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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133. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 28 February 2024, if he will report on the work of the Implementation Group established to implement the 12 recommendations intended to ensure that the Defence Forces medical policies and practices continually develop in light of best practice; the status of each of the 12 recommendations in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13645/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As of 5 April 2024, Ireland is contributing 419 personnel to 8 different missions throughout the world` and reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. The main overseas mission in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 345 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.

There are currently 11 UN Peacekeeping Operations active around the world: MINURSO (Western Sahara); UNMIK (Kosovo); UNMOGIP (India and Pakistan); UNFICYP (Cyprus); UNDOF (Syria); UNIFIL (Lebanon); UNTSO (Middle East); UNISFA (Abyei); UNMISS (South Sudan); MINUSCA (Central African Republic); and MINUSCO (Democratic Republic of Congo).

In addition to UN-led Peacekeeping Operations, the UN Security Council may, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, also authorise missions led by others to achieve the same ends of maintaining or restoring international peace and security. There are a number of such missions currently authorised by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII, including ATMIS, which is an African Union-led multinational transition force in Somalia; EUFOR Operation Althea, which is an EU military deployment in Bosnia & Herzegovina overseeing the implementation of the peace agreement; and the NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, KFOR. The UN Security Council has also approved a Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti, although this has not yet been deployed. In addition, UN Security Council Resolutions underpin the EU naval missions Operation Atalanta and Operation Irini.

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).

There are currently no plans to increase our commitment to UN peacekeeping in terms of participation in further missions. The Irish Defence Forces have recently withdrawn as planned from the UNDOF mission this month after over ten years of participation in this operation.

With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. The changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles need to be considered in the context of assets and capabilities which can be made available by the Defence Forces for overseas deployment, given existing operational demands at home and overseas.

Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed below.

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS

As of 05 April 2024