Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

335. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding any initiatives that seeks to encourage both recruitment and retention of personnel in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41782/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

363. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on recruitment and retention within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43418/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 363 together.

Figures provided by the military authorities for 2024 and to date in 2025 indicate a stabilisation in the strength. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years while discharges were at their lowest in four years.

Interest in a career in the Defence Forces is very strong and grew significantly in 2024 with total applications showing an increase of 33% across all competitions compared to the previous year. This trend has continued into 2025. Ongoing recruitment of General Service Recruits and Direct Entry specialists continues along with a new competition for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, which launched earlier this month.

Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures to drive Defence Forces recruitment and improve retention levels. 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 personnel and the provisions of the Working Time Directive have been applied 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.

A Joint Induction Training Centre has been established in Gormanston and the military authorities have advised that, when fully operational, it will enable induction training to be provided to 900 recruits per annum.

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. A further pay award of 1% is due on August 1st under the terms of the current public sector pay agreement while several items are being negotiated under the local bargaining provision.

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.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

336. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the implementation of the recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41783/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.

Across Europe, all countries are experiencing an increasingly contested, dynamic and volatile international security environment. There is a need for us to be seen to take our own security responsibilities seriously. We have seen significant increases in our own defence spending in the past few years in response to that, which has allowed us to procure much needed capabilities.

The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covered high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.

The Commission created a framework focused around three tiers of level of ambition (LOA): LOA1 current capability, LOA2 enhanced capability, and LOA3 conventional capability.

The Commission recognised that any proposal to move to LOA3 could only be considered in the context of a step-up, in the first instance, to LOA2 and following a comprehensive review of Ireland’s defence policy.

Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken with a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government brought to Government and approved on July 12th 2022. This involved the approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2) by 2028, as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces.

The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, was published on the 21st of November 2023. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to LOA 2 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across:

• Strategic HR and Cultural Change;
• New Command and Control and Joint Structures to be established;
• Services to be reformed and restructured;
• Reserve Defence Force to be revitalised; and
• Joint Capability Development to be implemented.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

337. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the proposed increase in defence spending over the next five years, particularly in view of the recent commitment by many European countries to significantly increase their defence expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41784/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Defence Vote Group allocation for 2025 has increased by €243 million (22%) since 2022, when the Government approved the Commission Report.

In addition, following the recent review of NDP multi-annual allocations, the Defence capital allocation will increase from its previous baseline by €600 million (55%) over the 2026-2030 timeframe. This increased defence capital funding is welcome and, over the coming years, will continue to be utilised effectively to address long-standing capability gaps, modernise core infrastructure needs and ensure that Ireland continues to deliver on its defence responsibilities and international commitments.

Last month, to progress delivery of Ireland’s defence capabilities needs as quickly as possible, I agreed that my Department should leverage the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) Regulation. This initiative will strengthen Ireland’s defence capabilities by providing a very efficient mechanism for fulfilling specific equipment needs.

Estimates 2026 budgetary discussions are set to commence very shortly, and as in previous years, Defence will be actively engaged with this process to ensure that funding is in place to support ongoing progression of a range of key objectives outlined within the Commission of the Defence Forces Report and the 2025 Programme for Government.