Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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142. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the Fire Station at the Curragh Camp [13857/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise that the Military authorities submitted on 27 February 2024 a recommendation on the future of the Fire Service in the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp. My officials are considering same and have written to the Chief of Staff seeking further details as to the basis of their findings and have indicated that upon receipt of same it will also be necessary to establish Kildare County Council's formal position on the matter.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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143. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence whether foreign-language learning is available and/or prioritised in the Defence Forces across all ranks and disciplines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13858/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed that foreign language learning is available and prioritised in the Defence Forces across all ranks and disciplines. This training is governed by the Foreign Language Training Policy, which states that the Defence Forces is committed to training personnel in modern foreign languages, under the following three pillars:

• Taught Group Foreign Language Training Courses: Conducted by approved Language Training Partners and open to all Defence Forces personnel. These courses are openly advertised to all personnel who have some knowledge of the language in question. The main effort of this approach is currently directed at the French language. These courses are conducted by Alliance Française, as required;
• Third Level Foreign Language Training: Officers attending full-time third-level Education programmes are encouraged to study modern foreign languages as part of their university education. The Defence Forces currently has seven (7) personnel participating in ERASMUS programmes overseas: four (4) in France, two (2) in Germany and one (1) in the Netherlands. Defence Forces personnel participating on third-level studies in a foreign language in their own time may apply for Defence Forces funding;
• Progressing identified Foreign Language Training competencies: This concentrates on identifying and progressing existing language skills. Personnel who wish to have their competency recorded will be invited to apply for a language evaluation and have their grading recorded. The Defence Forces will consider support for further language training for personnel with existing and assessed language skills.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence how the increase in the raising of the mandatory retirement age in the Defence Forces to 60 years is expected to impact on retention of personnel in the coming five years; if he will publish any research undertaken on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13859/24]

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.

This strategic move will have a two-fold effect. For the organisation, it will help to address, in part, the issue of retention by allowing experienced and skilled personnel to remain in their positions for longer, thereby retaining valuable organisational knowledge, providing continuity and contributing to enhanced training experiences for new recruits. For Defence Forces personnel, the move supports career longevity and provides personnel with the opportunity to continue to contribute meaningfully to the organisation.

In addition, the increase in the mandatory retirement age has facilitated an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles with a current recruitment age below 39 years.

The impact of the revised retirement age on retention in the coming five years will be closely and regularly monitored and updates provided at appropriate intervals.

My commitment to resolving the recruitment and retention crisis in the Permanent Defence Forces is unwavering. The numbers leaving the Defence Forces exceed the numbers recruited year on year, resulting in a continued decline in the overall strength level. The decision to increase the mandatory retirement age is part of an overall effort to remove any potential obstacles to recruiting and retaining personnel.

Furthermore, 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.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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145. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence whether he will support the desire of the Oversight Group to exercise maximum independence and authority in all its business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13860/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published, following Government approval, on 28 March 2023. The Government agreed to progress the 13 recommendations contained in the Report.

One of the first actions taken in this regard following publication of the report was the establishment of an External Oversight Body, initially on a non-statutory basis, and its Terms of Reference were approved on 12 July 2023.

The role of the External Oversight Body, which is chaired by Professor Brían MacCraith and comprises six other members, is to oversee the implementation of relevant recommendations made in the IRG Report, to increase transparency and accountability in the Defence Forces and to bring about necessary changes to the workplace culture and behaviour in the Defence Forces. To date, the External Oversight Body has met on 21 occasions and last November I received the Body's first written report while I have also met with Professor MacCraith on a number of occasions.

Last December, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Defence Amendment Bill 2023, which includes provision for the establishment of the External Oversight Body on a statutory basis. As such, it is intended that the External Oversight Body will have all the powers typically held by a statutory body. The draft legislation has recently been the subject of Pre-legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

Following publication of the General Scheme, the views of the External Oversight Body have been sought in relation to the draft legislation and these have been carefully considered in the context of finalising the draft Bill. In this regard, it is my intention that the Bill will provide that the Body shall have the power to initiate a review, and to make such recommendations as it deems appropriate, on any matter related to its functions. Moreover, in relation to independence, in line with the published General Scheme, the draft Bill will also expressly provide that the External Oversight Body shall be independent in the performance of its functions.

The work of the External Oversight Body is future focused and is a key driver in the implementation of the necessary cultural transformation throughout the Defence Forces, including addressing issues relating to dignity at work. A significant programme of reform and culture change is being prioritised to ensure that the Defence Forces is an equal opportunities employer, is reflective of contemporary Irish society and provides a safe workplace. The External Oversight Body has a crucial role in overseeing and monitoring implementation of this transformation by the Defence Forces and in advising the Minister for Defence on progress.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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146. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is aware of a recruitment drive by the Air Corps and Defence Forces (details supplied); his views on whether Ireland as a neutral country that a method of recruiting children in schools is not appropriate; and if he will instruct Defence Forces to remove any recruitment propaganda from schools. [13989/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces do not recruit children and the minimum age of recruitment, for both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force, is set at 18 years.

In line with many other potential employers, the Defence Forces do demonstrate the opportunities and skills a career in the Defence Forces offers to future school leavers. This is achieved by providing schools with relevant material such as posters, booklets etc and through school visits, attendance at recruitment and career fairs/events and engagement with career guidance counsellors to assist with queries on Defence Forces careers.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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147. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if serving members of the Defence Forces who have not received the Covid-19 vaccination are eligible for overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13994/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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All Defence Forces personnel deploying overseas are required to have received the primary schedule of COVID-19 vaccinations.

However, the Defence Forces have confirmed that the booster vaccinations are no longer mandatory for personnel who are under 50 years of age and who are not immunocompromised and who do not have a medical condition that puts them at a higher risk of severe Covid-19 infection.