Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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140. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of promotions throughout the Army, Navy Service and Air Corps currently awaiting approval at each rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42359/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces continually monitors staffing requirements and vacancies which can arise as a result of factors such as retirements and promotions. All promotions throughout the three Services i.e. the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are administered promptly and there are no delays currently. To date in 2024, a total of 181 Officers have been promoted to vacancies across the Army, Naval service and Air Corps. A total of 201 Officers were promoted in 2023.

Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) posts are filled through the promotion of suitably qualified soldiers and a promotion competition takes place every two years. Earlier this year consultation between civil/military management and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) on a proposal for the 2024 NCO promotions concluded with an agreement and the competition launched in August with interview boards scheduled to commence shortly. A separate consultation on the promotion of the junior NCO ranks of Corporal to Sergeant is almost concluded with an associated agreement expected shortly thereafter. A total of 403 personnel were promoted to Sergeant and Higher NCO rank as a result of the 2022 NCO Promotion Competition.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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141. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which payment has been received in respect of all overseas military deployment in the past ten years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42360/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are a range of allowances available to Defence Forces members on overseas deployments, which have been received by personnel over the past ten years where eligible.

The two most common are Overseas Peace Support Allowance (OPSA) and Overseas Armed Peace Support Allowance (OAPSA).

Overseas and Armed Peace Support allowances are paid along with the pay of the members of the Permanent Defence Force serving overseas and payment is commenced following notification from the military authorities that a member has proceeded overseas on a particular mission. Payment of the allowances is then ceased following notification of his/her return from overseas. It is important to note that these aforementioned allowances are paid tax-free, to participating personnel.

Certain other overseas appointments, not of the OPSA or OAPSA nature, attract expense related allowances to ensure that Military Staff are not “out of pocket” as a consequence of necessarily incurred expenses in the discharge of their duties, while living abroad. These expenses include a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) associated with a higher cost of living index at the post abroad, a Local Post Allowance (LPA) and a rent allowance, where applicable. A full Financial Support Package (FSP) applies to Training Courses of 12 months duration or greater and the criteria for applying these related fees is set out under a Conciliation Council Report under the Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force, the proceedings of which are confidential to the parties concerned.

Personnel on UN missions also receive Per Diem allowance, which is a subsistence rate, in effect, a payment is that is non taxable. At the same time, holiday pay is also payable to personnel, in certain circumstances depending on the duration of the deployment, on return from the overseas mission. This payment is also non taxable.

In addition to the above, military personnel serving overseas can, in certain circumstances, be paid Technical allowances for specific specialist roles they are undertaking, while deployed on overseas missions, to include, for example, cooks, drivers or logistics personnel.

Concerning payment received from the United Nations to Ireland regarding overseas deployments, the United Nations reimburses some personnel and Contingent Owed Equipment costs in respect of contributions to UN led operations. Rates of reimbursement, fixed in accordance with UN categories of equipment and personnel, are agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the UN for each mission. The timing of the receipt of reimbursements is dependent on the financial situation at the UN. Reimbursements are received in arrears.

The amounts received from the United Nations each year since 2014 are set out in the table below.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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142. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army, Navy Service and Air Corps continue to be prepared for emergency missions such as air, sea rescue or in assistance with the civil authorities in the case of a national disaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42361/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces continue to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including security operations, critical supports to An Garda Síochána and ATCA supports to other Government Departments and Principal Response Agencies.

I am committed to ensuring that the personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be equipped and trained to best international standards and 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. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces are equipped to respond, as appropriate, to any such events were they to occur in this State.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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143. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women in senior positions in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42362/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the military authorities that, as at 31 August 2024, the whole time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 563. A breakdown of this strength, by Branch and by rank is provided in the attached table.

In line with current policies and commitments, a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. Examples of such initiatives include:

• The establishment of a female specific recruitment team which co-ordinates attendance of tri-service female specific recruiting teams at national and regional level events.
• A gender perspective is incorporated in all advertising. Multiple videos, to be used across various social media platforms to demonstrate what is to be expected on induction day, were recently produced and will emphasis female participation.
• Fitness test requirements are tailored specifically for females. A fitness test preparation video is available on the military website to demonstrate the modified push-up for females.
• The Defence Forces Recruitment Office are actively reaching out to female applicants in the recruitment pipeline in order to support them throughout the application, where appropriate.
• A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.
• A direct entry competition for a Senior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Gender Advisor has concluded with the appointment of a female at Colonel rank.