Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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164. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update as of July 2025 on the Programme for Government commitment to establish a properly resourced office of veterans’ affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38361/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I wish to recognise the outstanding contribution made to the State by our ex-service personnel. In this regard, and in addition to the payment of over €320 million on pensions to over 13,000 ex-service personnel and their dependants, my Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) and Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel.

My officials and I meet regularly with these recognised Veterans Associations, as well as the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO), to discuss matters of concern to their members. My Department has entered into Service Level Agreements with IUNVA and ONE, under which an annual grant is paid to both organisations in order to assist with their administrative overheads. IUNVA is paid €40,000 and ONE is paid €173,000. These grants were increased substantially in 2022 and have been increased again in 2025.

As a further means of assistance, since 2021 my Department has also secured total funding of €1,100,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund to assist both organisations with specific special projects.

In addition to the supports highlighted to the recognised Veterans Associations, the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service also provides limited support to retired members of the Defence Forces on a case-by-case basis, as well as assisting IUNVA and ONE in their work providing advice and support to veterans.

The Deputy will be aware of the 2025 Programme for Government commitment to establish a dedicated Office of Veterans Affairs, based in the Department of Defence. This commitment is currently being progressed with the intention to establish this office as soon as possible.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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165. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to enhance the personnel support service as of July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38362/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the military authorities that the Personnel Support Service (PSS) is a team of trained military personnel and occupational social workers located in all Defence Forces installations in the state and providing support to all personnel deployed overseas. The blend of trained and experienced line NCOs and Officers, with the skills and perspectives of civilian social workers, provides PSS with a powerful and effective platform for supporting military personnel and their families.

PSS teams achieve this mission through the provision of support services to military people and their families, ranging from routine advice, guidance and signposting to more specialised and focused services, including psychotherapy and counselling. PSS services are confidential and professional, and teams are trained to offer counselling support for a variety of issues, including relationships, coping with addiction and many others.

PSS operations may be broadly categorised as follows:

• Providing staff advice and guidance to commanders as part of the DF leadership function;
• Directly supporting military people and their families by means of confidential services including guidance, information, signposting, and counselling;
• Providing training and education for military people and their families encompassing all aspects of personnel support, including mental health and wellbeing, suicide awareness and prevention, coping with deployment, financial guidance and support and others.

• In relation to staff, as of July 2025, three (3) Senior Occupational Social Workers have been selected to fill new appointments in PSS. In addition to the normal social work function, these social workers will join their PSS colleagues in delivering Sexual Ethics and Respectful Relationships training to military people throughout the Defence Forces. To date one social worker has completed her induction, with the remaining two completing their administrative process.
• In relation to training, the PSS has trained twenty (20) team members as new trainers in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in 2025, as well as twenty (20) team members as trainers in SafeTALK suicide awareness and prevention. These PSS trainers are based throughout the country and available to deliver training to military people and to their families. MHFA and SafeTALK are HSE-supported programs designed to increase awareness and confidence in general mental health and in the prevention of suicide.