Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to report on the progress of recruitment campaigns for school leavers considering a career in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31308/25]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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81. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to outline the recruitment targets across the Defence Forces for each of the next three years as part of the transition to level of ambition 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30560/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 81 together.

The military authorities have advised that as of 30 April 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,512.

Figures provided for 2024 and to date for 2025 indicate a stabilisation in numbers. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years. While it is positive that numbers are stabilising, I want to see greater progress in recruitment of personnel and I have been very clear with the Chief of Staff of my ambitions in that regard. The Defence Forces have further advised that they are targeting 800 inductions at a minimum for this year. In pursuing this goal, the Defence Forces continue to undertake regular visits to schools and Education and Training Boards, in addition to frequent attendance at recruitment and career fairs/events, such as the Higher Options conference. Furthermore, transition year students may avail of placements within the Organisation to undertake various programmes, across a number of locations, demonstrating career opportunities.

Competitions suitable for school leavers include but are certainly not limited to those for General Service Recruits which remain open for applications, for Cadets which closed for applications in April and for Air Craft Maintenance Technician positions, which will open for applications shortly. Interest in a career in the Defence Forces is very strong and grew significantly again in 2024 with a total applications showing an increase of 33% across all competitions compared to the previous year. This trend has continued into 2025 with General Service Recruit application numbers in all 3 services notably higher at the end of April 2025 as compared to April 2024.

A range of measures have been implemented to tackle the recruitment and retention challenges within the Defence Forces. Notable amongst these are 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 increase of the mandatory retirement age to 62; the extension of private secondary healthcare to all PDF members and the application of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces in January of this year. In addition, the Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled after ten days at sea in a calendar year and the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years.

There has been significant progress on pay in recent years. Recruits on completion of training now start at €41,465 inclusive of Military Service Allowance in Year 1 which represents an increase of 49% over the past 6 years. School leaver Cadets upon commissioning earn €45,341 inclusive of Military Service Allowance, whilst in full time education, while the pay of Graduate Cadets now commences on €50,667 inclusive of Military Service Allowance.

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.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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76. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to outline any plans he has to improve pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29867/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last five (5) years. In addition, under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay with effect from 1 August 2025, will positively affect members of the Defence Forces.

For context, in May 2019 a newly qualified three-star private could have expected to earn €27,759 gross per annum (including military service allowance but excluding duty allowances), on completion of his/her initial training.

Following the implementation of a number of pay related Commission on Defence Forces recommendations, coupled with ongoing pay increases being applied as part of national pay agreements, at present recruit pay, on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), starts at:

• €41,465 in Year 1
• €42,875 in Year 2 and
• €44,176 in Year 3

Equally, for the Officer cohort, a school leaver Cadet, on commissioning, was paid €30,884 in 2019. As of 01 March 2025 a school leaver Cadet, again on commissioning, is now paid €45,341, which is a second lieutenant position.

As such, in the last 5 years a cadet's pay, on commissioning, has increased by €14,457 in 5 years, or by 49%. Furthermore, after 2 years they are promoted to lieutenant and their pay rises to €50,677.

Where a graduate joins – the pay rate on commissioning begins at €50,677. These rates all include pensionable military service allowance, which is an allowance that is paid to all ranks up to and including the rank of Colonel, for the unpredictable nature of the work encountered by the Defence Forces.

In the conversation surrounding the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces, it is important to point out that in addition to basic pay and military service allowance, certain positions in the Defence Forces also attract specialist and technical pay. Additionally there is scope for further income from duty allowances for specific duties carried, out on an ongoing basis, as well as the possibility of earning a tax-free duty allowance, starting at €15,000, for a 6 month overseas deployment.

The Deputy may also be aware of the changes to Patrol Duty Allowance for Naval Service personnel which came into effect on 1 January 2024. This measure will result in the Patrol Duty Allowance being doubled after ten days at sea. This particular measure will provide greater clarity on the overall incentive package available to members of, and potential recruits to, the Naval Service.

Key changes to broader conditions include extension of private medical care to all personnel; increases to mandatory retirement ages and recruitment ages, and earlier this year, the removal of the blanket exemption from the Organisation of the Working Time Act.

As outlined, positive progress has been made on pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. There is a significant increase in interest in joining the Defence Forces over the last two years. We will continue to ensure that Defence Forces remains an employer of choice.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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77. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence how his Department plans on addressing the ongoing problems of understaffing in critical Defence Forces infrastructure, such as air traffic controllers; if his actions will be in line with the Defence Forces Group 2021 recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31237/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have advised that as of 30 April 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,512.

Figures provided for 2024 and to date in 2025 indicate a plateauing of the strength. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years while the Defence Forces have advised that they are targeting 800 inductions at a minimum for this year.

Recruitment and retention of Defence Forces personnel is a key Government priority. As Minister I am determined to achieve real progress on this issue and I have been very clear with the Chief of Staff of my ambitions in that regard. Challenges undoubtedly exist, particularly in relation to the recruitment and retention of specialist personnel. This specific challenge is presently felt by employers across the economy at a time of effective full employment. Our focus has been on ensuring that frameworks are fully optimised and responsive to the needs of the Defence Forces while at the same time introducing a number of new initiatives in this space.

There has been significant progress on pay in recent years. Recruits on completion of training now start at €41,465 in Year 1, which represents an increase of 49% over the past 6 years. School leaver Cadets upon commissioning earn €45,341 whilst in full time education, while the pay of Graduate Cadets now commences on €50,667. These figures are inclusive of Military Service Allowance. A further pay increase of 1% is due under the current pay agreement in August, and several additional pay related items are being negotiated as part of local bargaining arrangements.

Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures and improvements to the overall benefits package to drive Defence Forces recruitment and support retention. 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 and the provisions of the Working Time Directive have been extended across the Defence Forces, subject to certain exemptions. The Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled after ten days at sea in a calendar year and the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years while a Technical pay 2-6 review has been completed and implemented and is targeted at specialist personnel. These are in addition to the extensive education and training opportunities provided to all personnel.

I am open to exploring options to continue to drive recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. Any proposed initiatives, including those as yet unimplemented recommendations in the report referenced by the Deputy in her question are given all due consideration by my Department but must inevitably be carefully assessed against operational requirements and broader public pay policy.

Specifically in relation to Air Traffic Controllers, my officials have engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to progress the extension of the service commitment scheme currently in place for pilots in the Air Corps to Air Traffic Control personnel. Following submission of a Memorandum to Government on 10th June this week, seeking the approval of the extension of this scheme to ATC personnel, I am happy to advise the Deputy that the proposal was approved by Government.

I am confident that the extension of the pilot service commitment scheme to ATC personnel, together with the other ongoing recruitment initiatives, provide a meaningful step towards stabilising and sustaining the Air Traffic Control service of the Air Corps into the future.