Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

132. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which concerns in respect of pay and conditions affecting the Defence Forces have been resolved or are in the course of being resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42351/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

With its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Government committed to a range of actions to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which will improve pay and conditions.

It is also worth noting in this regard that the Report observed that much of the commentary surrounding issues of pay in the Defence Forces does not seem to fully reflect the totality of the remuneration package and believes that this needs to be better communicated.

The Commission on the Defence Forces made a number of recommendations concerning pay structures, which the Department has implemented including:

• Removal of the requirement for a Private 3 Star/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank (as detailed above in terms starting pay rates);
• Payment of the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank of all Private 3 Star/Able Seaman personnel.

• €40,297 in Year 1
• €41,707 in Year 2 and
• €43,008 in Year 3

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

133. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps in hand to address the issue of the strength of the Defence Forces, with particular reference to the attainment of optimal strength; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42352/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The military authorities have advised that as of 31 August 2024, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,426.

I have acknowledged in the past the recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces. 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 in recent years. Recruits on completion of training now start at €40,297 in Year 1, while school leaver Cadets upon commissioning earn €44,216, whilst in full time education.

I also instructed the military authorities to increase their recruitment targets beyond those originally projected for 2024, and some positive trends are now beginning to emerge. The latest strength figures represent a net month-on-month increase of 105 personnel. As of 30 September 2024, 494 personnel have been inducted and the latest advice from the military authorities indicates that there could be more than 250 further inductions in 2024. There have been 443 discharges as of August 31, 35 fewer than at the same time last year.

Interest in a career in the Defence Forces continues to rise as evidenced by the total of 10,387 applications received across all competitions as of 30 September. This is more than the total number received for all of 2023.

Budget 2025 provided a record allocation of €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €100 million. In relation to specific recruitment targets, this allocation provides for the recruitment of at least a net additional 400 personnel per annum.

Whilst there are still undoubtedly challenges, significant progress has been made on a number of fronts and the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector is illustrative of my intent in this regard.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

134. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which health and safety checks are carried out on a regular basis throughout the Defence Forces in respect of all equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42353/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that all equipment is regularly inspected, maintained and tested in line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Defence Forces personnel are trained in the safe use of equipment, with all necessary safety procedures and protective measures in place. The State Claims Agency (SCA) and Health and Safety Authority (HSA) conduct regular audits of Defence Forces locations ensuring the organisation complies with all relevant Health and Safety legislation/regulations in respect of equipment.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces have the necessary policies and procedures in place in line with best international practice in order to ensure the highest standards of health and safety in respect of the use of equipment to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government, and that such policies and procedures are kept under continuous review.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

135. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which Air Corps personnel continue to be trained and have their training upgraded in line with best practice throughout the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42354/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

136. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which Army personnel continue to be trained and have their training upgraded in line with best practice throughout the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42355/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.

The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government.

The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely: Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for exercising command authority across the full range of military functions both at home and overseas in international operations. Skills Training ensures that Defence Forces personnel have the requisite individual, specialist, and crew skills. Career Training, and education, provides the organisation with the necessary pool of leaders and commanders at all levels. Collective Training allows military personnel to use their individual, crew, specialist and career training together, to develop integrated and coherent combat forces.

The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve, is underpinned by an analysis of training required to meet operational output and capability development requirements.

The Defence Forces seek to constantly benchmark training across all three arms of the organisation against best military and academic practice. Military best practice is ensured by implementing a policy of standardisation that is in line with EU and NATO/Partnership for Peace partners. Academic best practice is ensured by benchmarking courses through accreditation under the National Framework of Qualifications which is validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland.

The Defence Forces deliver military programmes and modules meeting national and international standards and engage with external educational institutions in order to facilitate organisational learning. This engagement with national and international educational institutions, military and civilian, aims to ensure that the Defence Forces retain currency with regards to best international practice and employ all relevant modern training methods.

I remain committed to ensuring that all personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be trained to appropriate standards.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

137. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Forces, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the extent to which their upgraded training has continued in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42356/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Table below contains the strength for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and Reserve Defence Force (RDF) as of 31 August 2024, the latest date for which such figures are available:

The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. In that context, the Defence Forces have a long track record of developing personnel, by building on existing Professional Military Education Concepts and incorporating ‘best practice’ approaches to ensure an effective and progressive approach to the delivery of education and training needs.

The Defence Forces deliver military programmes and modules meeting national and international standards and engage with external educational institutions in order to facilitate organisational learning. This engagement with national and international educational institutions, military and civilian, aims to ensure that the Defence Forces retain currency with regards to best international practice and employ all relevant modern training methods.

The following table highlights the extent of training conducted by the Defence Forces (PDF and RDF) over the last 5 years:

*As at 15 October, 2024

The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve, is underpinned by an analysis of training required to meet operational output and capability development requirements.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

138. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which gender balance is being achieved throughout the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42357/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces.

A number of initiatives to both attract females and to retain serving female members are in train. For example:

• Steps being taken to encourage increased female recruitment include engagement with girls schools
• The appointment of a female member of staff to engage with female candidates
• A survey of females in the target audience to determine how to make a career in the Defence Forces (DF) more attractive to them
• The attendance of female personnel at careers events, and the development of female targeted advertising
• The team are actively engaging with organisations such as the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association, Women in STEM events, the Department of Education, Hersport.ie and 30% Club in conjunction with the Defence Forces Gender Equality and Diversity Officer
• A review of recruitment practices is also underway to ensure that DF practices are appropriate and fair to all applicants
• In addition the team will engage with the Defence Forces Marketing and Media partner to highlight the career opportunities available to women, across the three Services
• The Defence Forces are taking a broad approach in terms of fitness testing, with requirements tailored specifically for females
• There has also been an emphasis on Fitness Test Preparation. Videos relating to the Defence Forces Induction Fitness Test are available on its website
• The recruitment of a senior Gender Advisor, at Colonel level, in line with a recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces, is now completed and appointed
• Gender, Diversity and Unconscious Bias Training took place across all Formations and Services last year
• Also in 2023, private secondary medical care was extended to enlisted personnel. This is an important development, as it is will include private medical care during pregnancy
• The Military Authorities have also put in place arrangements for participation by female Officers at Defence Forces Board level
• A joint Department of Defence and Defence Forces Women’s Network which was launched in January 2022, has been and continues to be very successful