Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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18. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence with regard to the boarded-up houses and disintegrating buildings on the Curragh Military Camp, to state with certainty if any of the additional capital of €39 million as announced in Budget 2025 will be ringfenced for the restoration and remediation of the boarded up houses and disintegrating buildings on in the Curragh Camp as part of plans to modernise built infrastructure in military installations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40371/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. Under the programme, the following capital works in the DFTC, (Curragh Camp, Kildare) are completed or nearing completion:

• Cadet School
• Engineers Logistics Office
• Engineer Stores
• New Electric Target Range
• Upgrade of Accommodation at Plunkett Barracks

• CIS Corps Workshop and Stores
• New Army Ranger Wing HQ Block
• Refurbishment of 1 Accommodation Block Ceannt Barracks
• New Garaging Facility
• Military College Auditorium Suite
• New Student Accommodation Facility.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extra resources that have been made available to the Irish contingent of UNIFIL currently in Lebanon given the vastly increased daily attacks by Israel and the retaliatory response from Hezbollah, especially in the region the Irish soldiers are operating in; to confirm that contingency measures are in place to safely evacuate them if needs be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40470/24]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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20. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if consideration has been given to temporarily locating Air Corps or Naval Service assets in the vicinity in case of the need to evacuate Irish soldiers who are part of the UNIFIL detachment located within Lebanon in the region under continual aerial bombardment and ground invasion Israeli attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40471/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together.

At the outset I want to assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to support all of the Defence Force personnel who are serving in Lebanon during these very volatile times.

The situation in Lebanon is still tense and unpredictable. Both I and the Government are deeply concerned about the surge of violence in Lebanon and the launch of Israeli ground incursions, and have made this concern clear both bilaterally to Israel and to UN headquarters.

Thankfully all our troops are well and accounted for, and I want to assure you that the safety and security of our personnel is of the utmost priority for both me and for Government.

I will continue to monitor the situation closely, along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community. I am in regular contact with the UN and with the Chief of Staff. The Department of Defence is also regularly kept apprised of all developments in the area on an ongoing basis.

There is currently an evolving and fluid situation. While the situation is tense and worrying, Military management have assured us that all Defence Forces personnel are highly trained, professional, and have undergone rigorous preparation to effectively handle the challenges that come with the situations they are now facing.

There are robust force protection measures in place which have been augmented. These measures are continually reviewed and enhanced as necessary to address any emerging threats. All Defence Forces’ personnel continue to comply with UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions as and when appropriate. They remain vigilant and are in regular contact to update us on the ongoing situation. They remain focused on, and are committed to, continuing to uphold the UNIFIL Mandate. I wish to add also that contrary to recent media reports, the Defence Forces has advised that there are sufficient supplies of both water and food in Camp Shamrock and in the outposts. There is both fresh food and contingency food packs available.

Though it is not the practice to ordinarily comment in detail on operational matters, contingency planning is part and parcel of the planning in operational deployments, including in UNIFIL. The UN is working on several scenarios in case of an improvement or deterioration of the situation in southern Lebanon. These contingency plans are under constant review. Likewise, the Government has been engaging with the UN and with international partners as part of this process. Given the contingency plans that are already in place, there is currently no requirement to deploy Air Corps or Naval Service assets in the region.

Finally, it should be underlined that the Government remains committed to our Missions in the Middle-East with UNIFIL.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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21. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Force members in each year 2019-2024 inclusive that lost annual leave days because they were unable to carry over their full entitlement from the previous years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40499/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The granting of Annual Leave to members of the Permanent Defence Force is governed by Defence Forces Regulations.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that under these Regulations, a member may carry forward annual leave not granted or availed of in the leave year concerned, to a subsequent leave year, subject to a maximum of 24 days in the case of Commissioned Officers; 19 days in the case of a Non-Commissioned Officer or Private of the Army or Air Corps; or 24 days in the case of a Non-Commissioned Officer or Ordinary Seaman or Able Seaman of the Naval Service.

I'm also advised that in some circumstances, a member of the Permanent Defence Force may be unable to avail of their full annual leave entitlement in any one leave year, as a result of their deployment on an Overseas Mission. However, the Deputy may wish to note that personnel returning from overseas deployments also receive additional mission leave.

I would further add that there are circumstances where a member may be allowed to carry forward annual leave, from one leave year to the next, up to a maximum of 4 working weeks for use within the period of 15 months after the end of a leave year. This may arise where an individual is unable to take all or part of their annual leave entitlement in that leave year due to illness, for which they have been granted sick leave in accordance with Defence Force Regulation A. 12, of if they have availed of maternity leave or adoptive leave.

The specific information sought by the Deputy could not be collated in the time-frame for this question. I have asked the military authorities to prepare this material and I will duly respond when it is available.