Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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105. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of times, in each of the past 24 months, that the Naval Service could not run planned sailings because of staffing or capacity constraints. [18097/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The number of cancelled Naval Service patrols in the past 24 months owing to staffing or capacity constraints is 46. There have been no patrol days cancelled since the change in operational posture in August 2023.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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106. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there is, and if he is aware of, a discrepancy between the pay of apprentice rank and Air Corps trainee military aircraft systems technician scheme (details supplied). [18133/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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All recruits are required to successfully complete approximately 24 weeks induction training in order to be appointed to the rank of Private 3*. Payment of Military Service Allowance (MSA) only commences on appointment to that rank. All personnel in receipt of MSA can be called upon to carry out a range of duties, associated with this 3* rank.

For the Deputy's information, Military Service Allowance is an allowance designed to compensate Defence Forces personnel for the special disadvantages that go hand in hand with active service. These special circumstances include the hardship, danger and discipline associated with military life.

Apprentices, while undertaking their apprenticeship training do not hold the rank of Private 3* and are therefore not available for duties associated with the rank. MSA is therefore not paid to personnel who hold the rank of Apprentice.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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107. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the military service allowance was not paid to apprentices, leaving them the only three-star trained members who are not entitled to this payment; and if he will ensure that a review of this will be carried out and the discrepancy addressed. [18134/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question.

All recruits are required to successfully complete approximately 24 weeks induction training in order to be appointed to the rank of Private 3*. Payment of Military Service Allowance (MSA) only commences on appointment to that rank. All personnel in receipt of MSA can be called upon to carry out a range of duties, associated with this 3* rank.

For the Deputy's information, Military Service Allowance is an allowance designed to compensate Defence Forces personnel for the special disadvantages that go hand in hand with active service. These special circumstances include the hardship, danger and discipline associated with military life.

Apprentices, while undertaking their apprenticeship training do not hold the rank of Private 3*. They are not available for duties associated with the rank. bMSA is therefore not paid to personnel who hold the rank of Apprentice.