Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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210. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel currently being trained to serve in the Joint Cyber Defence Command; the number of staff currently deployed within the command; and the number of personnel expected to be deployed once it becomes fully operational. [44505/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Defence Forces have recently established a Joint Cyber Defence Command (JCDC). This Command will be able to conduct full-spectrum cyberspace operations to robustly defend against cyber threats, support Defence Forces operations at home and overseas, and enhance national cyber defence resilience and contingent capabilities. To support this development, a Defence Forces Cyber-Defence Strategy 2024 to 2027 was published last year. This Strategy sets out a comprehensive road map to ensure that the Defence Forces achieve operational capability in this new domain.

My Department has approved the staffing requirements necessary for the JCDC to achieve its initial operational capacity (IOC). This includes the assignment of 19 Defence Forces specialists to establish operations for the Joint Cyber Defence Command (JCDC), which is now headed by an officer of General rank. Additionally, my Department has collaborated with the Public Appointments Service to recruit 10 civilian cyber specialists who will be integrated into the JCDC.

Further appointments of Defence Forces and civilian cyber defence specialists will be prioritised to maintain momentum in advancing the Defence Forces cyber capability. I am satisfied that our Cyber Defence capability is developing in a positive trajectory.