Written answers
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Department of Defence
Defence Forces
Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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163. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on peacekeeping operations involving members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47659/25]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As of 10 September 2025, the most recent date for which figures are available, Ireland is contributing 434 Defence Forces personnel to overseas peacekeeping missions and commitments. This reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. Ireland has always been a strong supporter of peacekeeping and contributions to peacekeeping operations and this is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN and UN-mandated peacekeeping operations, as well as by Ireland's engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Our peacekeepers are recognised internationally for their expertise and experience.
The main mission in which personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 343 personnel. Ireland and the Defence Forces have a longstanding and proud history of engagement with UNIFIL over many years and a commitment to the people of Lebanon. I was able to see this at first hand when I visited the women and men of the Defence Forces serving with UNIFIL earlier this year. Ireland remains deeply committed to the aims of the Mission – to support the stability of Lebanon and the wider region.
On 28th August the UN Security Council renewed the UNIFIL mandate to the end of 2026 with a period of drawdown and withdrawal to follow in 2027. Though the one year extension is disappointing, the mandate renewal has provided clarity on the next steps as regards the Mission. I consider it essential however, that the international community maintains its support and commitment to the Government and people of Lebanon and to seize the opportunity to make progress on further stability in southern Lebanon. Based on our long engagement in the region, I believe that, at this moment of fragile opportunity, the support of UNIFIL over the next 15 months will be essential to ensuing the success of the efforts of the Lebanese authorities, given the complexity and scale of the challenge facing them.
Ireland also contributes personnel to two other UN missions located in the Middle East, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) Israel & Syria with 13 personnel, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria, with 3 personnel. Observers and staff are also deployed to various United Nations and OSCE missions. In addition, Defence Forces personnel hold staff appointments at UN, EU, Liaison Office of Ireland to NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.
Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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164. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of progress being made in relation to an Army pensions case (details supplied); if he will consider an administrative interim solution to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47661/25]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have previously indicated that this is a difficult case and that I wish to see it resolved. I have been informed that resolution of this matter will require legislative change.
My officials are actively pursuing measures to enable this matter to be progressed as expeditiously as possible, including a possible adminstrative solution.
I will provide an update to you, and directly to the person in question, when a solution is identified.
Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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165. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the plans for the improvement of the pay and conditions in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47662/25]
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 six (6) 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, which came into effect on 1 August 2025, will have a further positive financial impact, for 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:
- €41,880 in Year 1 -
- €43,304 in Year 2 -
- €44,618 in Year 3 -
Equally, for the Officer cohort, a school leaver Cadet, on commissioning, was paid €30,884 in 2019. As of 01 August 2025 a school leaver Cadet, again on commissioning, is now paid €45,795, which is a second lieutenant position.
As such, in the last 6 years a cadet's pay, on commissioning, has increased by €14,911 in 6 years, or by 49%. Furthermore, after 2 years they are promoted to lieutenant and their pay rises to €51,184.
Where a graduate joins – the pay rate on commissioning begins at €51,184. 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 resulted in the Patrol Duty Allowance being doubled after ten days at sea. This particular measure provides greater clarity on the overall incentive package available to members of, and potential recruits to, the Naval Service.
Key changes introduced 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.
Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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166. 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. [47663/25]
Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the resourcing and recruitment needed to achieve LOA2; the timeline for this in the form of year-on-year targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47664/25]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together.
The military authorities have advised me that as of 30 July 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,540.
As the Deputy is aware, in July 2022, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2) as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. Achieving LOA2 requires an increase in Permanent Defence Force establishment figure to 11,500, to include a civilian component.
This framework also provides for an increase in the Defence budget to €1.5 billion by 2028, index linked to inflation, as part of the annual estimates processes. This level of funding increase will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment identified by the Commission
Working towards these targets, Budget 2025 provided a record allocation of €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €100 million. This allocation includes funding for the recruitment of a net additional 400 personnel per annum.
Significant progress has been made on a number of fronts in addressing recruitment and retention challenges, and 2024 saw a stabilisation of the downward trend in numbers. 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.
Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures to drive Defence Forces recruitment. 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.
While challenges undoubtedly remain, the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector, and the policy initiatives already implemented, is indicative of Government’s commitment in this regard.
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