Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the functions formally performed by members of the Defence Forces which have been outsourced since 2020. [42016/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset I have to state that, in the time available, it has not been possible for me to get a definitive list of functions formally performed by members of the Defence Forces which have been outsourced since 2020. I have requested this information from the Defence Forces and will revert to the Deputy with a response once the information is available to me.

I am aware however of a number of areas within the Defence Forces where, due to personnel shortages, particularly in areas where specialist skills are required, it has been necessary to engage or contract external personnel or service providers to carry out certain functions which normally would be provided by Defence Forces personnel.

For example, due to prioritisation of overseas medicals and planned recruitment campaigns estimating additional applicants into both the PDF and RDF in the years ahead, in 2023 the Defence Forces entered into a contract with an external company for the conduct of an estimated 10,200 PDF and RDF occupational and induction Part 2 medicals over a four-year period.

Another example is in relation to the maintenance of our aircraft and naval ships, again personnel shortages, particularly technician shortages, in some instances, have resulted in the requirement to bring in contractors to work alongside Defence Forces personnel to carry out maintenance and in other cases to contract out certain maintenance functions which would ideally be performed in-house. Every effort is being made to increase the strength of our Defence Forces. The high turnover and challenge with recruitment is being experienced worldwide.

This government has introduced many changes to make the Defence Forces an attractive option as a career choice and will continue to work with the Defence Forces to enhance recruitment and retention.

In conclusion I will re-iterate that I do not have a definitive list of the functions that have been outsourced since 2020 however I will revert to the Deputy once this information becomes available.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the Defence Forces high-level action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41487/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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16. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to indicate the progress in recent months in implementing the reforms in the Defence Forces identified in a recent report, in particular all of the major recommendations including gender equality, recruitment, pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42080/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.

As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.

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. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covered 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 with a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government brought to Government and approved on July 12th 2022. This involved the approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2) by 2028, as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. The move to LOA2 is due to be complete by 2028. 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 Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, was published on the 21st of November last. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to LOA 2 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across:

• Strategic HR and Cultural Change;
• New Command and Control and Joint Structures to be established;
• Services to be reformed and restructured;
• Reserve Defence Force to be revitalised; and
• Joint Capability Development to be implemented

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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17. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the targets for progressing the removal of the blanket exclusion of members of the Defence Forces from the protections of the Working Time Directive 2003 within his high level action plan and the detailed implementation plan for the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; if these targets were met; the targets that have not been met; and when the exclusion will be removed. [42015/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the target set down in Action 28 of the Strategic Framework which I published last year, a final management position on the implementation of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces, was submitted to me last December. Following interactions with civilian-military management and the Representative Associations, I subsequently approved that position.

As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for developing the legislative mechanism to remove the blanket exemption from the 1997 Organisation of Working Time Act lies with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). To that end, I have had very positive engagement with my colleague, Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to this key priority. At official level there has been extensive engagement between the Departments in the intervening months and between Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment officials with the Office of the Attorney General.

While I am aware that a timeline of September 2024 is set down in the Defence Implementation Plan for Action 50, the removal of the blanket exemption, I am fully cognisant that the identification of an appropriate legislative framework has been a very complex piece of work.

I’m pleased to say that my colleague, Peter Burke, TD, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment confirmed in September that a Statutory Instrument through the European Communities Act, 1972, to remove the blanket exemption in the Organisation of Working Time Act, for the Defence Forces, would be appropriate.

Furthermore, in is intended to have this Regulation enacted by year end.

This body of work has been a priority for myself, Minister Burke, Minister Higgins and the wider Government and my officials and officials in Enterprise, Trade and Employment have been working to progress this as quickly as possible.

The Military Authorities have previously determined that the vast majority of activities are compliant with the Directive.

In tandem with the drafting of the Statutory Instrument, my officials are actively progressing the necessary underpinning required for those agreed health and safety protections associated with military activities which are deemed to be exempt from the scope of the Directive due to their specific nature.

These measures will come into effect in parallel with the enactment of the Statutory Instrument.

Another critical enabler in taking forward the implementation of the Directive is a robust Time and Attendance system. Following the pilot Time and Attendance system undertaken by the military authorities last year, a follow-on procurement process is now underway, for a long-term electronic solution, which will result in a system for recording the daily working hours of every member of the Defence Forces.

I am pleased that this significant Government commitment is now nearing fruition and that members of the Defence Forces will be brought within the scope of the Directive.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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18. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the investigation in Lebanon into the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42039/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since the events of 14th December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed and a number of his colleagues from the 121st Battalion were injured, I have consistently expressed both my and the Government's determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that no stone is left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

I was very disappointed to learn at the most recent hearing on 7th June, that none of those indicted for the killing of Private Seán Rooney appeared in court at the hearing, and that it was adjourned until 12th February 2025.

I have continually stressed my unhappiness with the progress of the Trial to date and have made that very clear on a number of occasions directly to both Lebanese authorities, and to the UN. I continue to maintain close contact with both on this matter. When I was last in New York, in September, for the UN General Assembly High Level Week, I took the opportunity to meet with and raise the issue again with the UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and I asked him to use any channels open to him to exert influence on the issue.

A central focus of my last visit to Lebanon in May was my meeting with the Lebanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and the legal representative of the Lebanese Minister for Defence. I left the Lebanese Minister and officials in no doubt with regard to the absolute determination of the Irish Government in ensuring that those responsible for Private Rooney’s death are brought to justice and that lives of Irish peacekeepers must be valued. I also emphasised the need to speed up the legal proceedings and the additional distress that the lack of progress is causing Private Rooney's family.

I will continue to make strong representations in this matter with the Lebanese authorities and with the United Nations. Private Rooney’s family has been, and will continue to be, kept informed of developments as they happen, and I most recently met with Private Rooney's family on 9th October last.

Finally, I wish to assure the House that my Department, the Embassy in Cairo, the Consulate in Beirut and I will continue to monitor developments and to push for progress in this regard very closely.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional members expected to be recruited to the Defence Forces in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42005/24]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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20. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current status and future plans for the Defence Forces’ recruitment and retention strategy, particularly in light of recent reports indicating significant personnel shortages, and given the critical role of the Defence Forces in ensuring national security and fulfilling international obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41979/24]

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

As I informed Deputies earlier, the military authorities have advised that as at 31 August 2024, the latest date for which such data is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,426 personnel.

In terms of recruitment targets and plans for 2025, Budget 2025 has provided a record €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector- an increase of €100 million. This allocation provides for the recruitment of a net additional 400 personnel per annum. My instruction to the military authorities to increase their recruitment targets beyond those they had originally projected for 2024, has yielded positive results and I would expect this momentum to be maintained in 2025 and beyond. The latest strength figure reveals a net month-on-month increase of 105.

Further encouraging trends are seen in the number of inductions, which at the end of September

stood at 494, exceeding the total number for last year. The military authorities advise that they plan to have a further 250 further inductions before the end of the year. The number of discharges is down year-on-year and at 443 to the end of August, shows a reduction of 35 when compared to the same period last year. Interest in a career in the Defence Forces continues to rise with in excess of 10,000 applications received across all competitions as of 30 September 2024. This exceeds the total number received in 2023.

I have previously acknowledged challenges facing recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces and to address these I have introduced a number of measures. These include an increase in recruitment age to 39 years for those roles that had a recruitment age below that, and to 50 years for Direct Entry Specialists. The mandatory retirement age has been increased to 62. Private secondary healthcare has been rolled out to all PDF members. The Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled, and the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years.

There has also been significant progress on pay with new recruits starting on €40,297, school leaver Cadets starting on €44,216 upon commissioning, and €49,552 upon commissioning for graduate Cadets.

In conclusion, I wish to state clearly that Government is committed to retaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas. I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats and emergencies under constant review.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has examined the extent to which pension entitlements are hampering retention levels in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42011/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Retention, of course, as the Deputy will be aware, is not influenced by a single factor, but rather that there are multiple, interconnected factors, which are responsible for retaining people in any organisation. In common with other international militaries and while in a buoyant economy, the Defence Forces is facing a challenging environment at present.

Pension entitlements cannot be viewed solely as a retention measure; they are in place primarily to support the Defence Forces manpower policy and operational requirements.

Defence Forces pension arrangements differ in a number of key respects to the wider public service. These distinctions include earlier ages with entitlement to immediate pension benefit, and atypical faster rates of benefit accrual, similar to other uniformed services.

Pension entitlements for members of the Defence Forces are split over 3 main pension schemes, depending on when a member joined the Defence Forces. In the round, Defence Forces pension schemes compare very favourably to the generality of pension arrangements applicable across our public service

As Minister for Defence, in addition to a programme of cultural transformation, my focus has been on stabilising the numbers of personnel and facilitating the capacity for further increases.

A number of specific actions in the area of retention have already been delivered:

• Significant progress on pay in recent years;
• Increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62 years of age for all personnel
• Increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39;
• Increases to Patrol Duty Allowance to incentivise sea-going in the Naval Service;
• The extension of a Naval Service personnel tax credit for a further five years;
• The extension of private healthcare to all ranks in the Defence Forces;
• Access to free medical, physiotherapy and dental care;
• Provision of fitness, training and sports facilities across its installations;
• Provision of fully funded opportunities to continue education to gain professional and academic qualifications;
• Progress on the 2023-2027 Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) with the highest level of financial resources in the State’s history;
• A revised policy on maternity and associated protected leave which is fully aligned with national legislation;
• A new policy on personal appearance standards;
• Significant progress on the removal of the blanket exemption for the Defence Forces, from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act following my approval earlier this year of a management position.
• The implementation of a range of work-life balance and 'harmony’ initiatives.