Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has examined the extent to which pension entitlements are hindering retention levels in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48985/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Retention, as the Deputy will be aware, is not influenced by a single factor, but rather that there are multiple, interconnected factors, which are responsible for retaining people in any organisation. In common with other international militaries and while in a buoyant economy, the Defence Forces is facing a challenging environment at present.

Pension entitlements cannot be viewed solely as a retention measure; they are in place primarily to support the Defence Forces manpower policy and operational requirements.

Defence Forces pension arrangements differ in a number of key respects to the wider public service. These distinctions include earlier ages with entitlement to immediate pension benefit, and atypical faster rates of benefit accrual, similar to other uniformed services.

Pension entitlements for members of the Defence Forces are split over 3 main pension schemes, depending on when a member joined the Defence Forces. In the round, Defence Forces pension schemes compare very favourably to the generality of pension arrangements applicable across our public service

As Minister for Defence, in addition to a programme of cultural transformation, my focus has been on stabilising the numbers of personnel and facilitating the capacity for further increases.

A number of specific actions in the area of retention have already been delivered: -

• Significant progress on pay in recent years;
• Increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62 years of age for all personnel
• Increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39;
• Increases to Patrol Duty Allowance to incentivise sea-going in the Naval Service;
• The extension of a Naval Service personnel tax credit for a further five years;
• The extension of private healthcare to all ranks in the Defence Forces;
• Access to free medical, physiotherapy and dental care;
• Provision of fitness, training and sports facilities across its installations;
• Provision of fully funded opportunities to continue education to gain professional and academic qualifications;
• Progress on the 2023-2027 Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) with the highest level of financial resources in the State’s history;
• A revised policy on maternity and associated protected leave which is fully aligned with national legislation;
• A new policy on personal appearance standards;
• Removal of the blanket exemption from the Organisation of Working Time Act.
• DPER Sanction to re-new existing Service Commitment Schemes and extended the existing service commitment scheme for Air Flying Officers (Pilots) to Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel.
• The implementation of a range of work-life balance and 'harmony’ initiatives.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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54. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on his announcement to support the procurement of Jet capability for the State, what developments have occurred in providing the State with its own Air Policing Capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49036/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the Defence Forces’ operational capability is maintained and developed to enable it to carry out the roles assigned by Government.

Equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are considered in the context of the established Capability Development and Equipment Development Planning processes. This is underpinned by significant increases in funding with capital funding of €1.7 billion allocated to Defence Development Plan for the period 2026-2030. The funding represents an increase of €600 million (announced 23rd July in the National Development Plan) or 55% on the previous baseline figure of €1.1 billion. This significant increase reflects the Government’s commitment to continue to increase investment in our Defence Forces. The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces is actively reviewing all strategic equipment and infrastructural priorities to align with the revised 2026-2030 multi-annual capital allocations. The revised allocation will enable targeted progression on key elements of government commitments within Level of Ambition 2 (Enhanced Capability) objectives, as outlined in the CoDF Report.

The civil/military staffed Capability Development Unit, established in 2023 in response to a recommendation in the CoDF to implement a top down Capability Development Planning Process, are preparing a Capability Development Programme, that will identify at a high level, the Capability requirements for the Defence Forces in terms of equipment out to 2040. This ongoing piece of work, once complete, will inform the prioritisation of capabilities the Defence Forces will progress in moving towards the strategic level of ambition set out in the Defence Policy Review. This will be in line with the capital allocation under the National Development Plan. To this end, the priority continues to be progressing to LOA 2 thereby providing the foundation for future developments in capability.

The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended a further level of ambition - LOA 3 which provides for the development of full spectrum defence capabilities to protect Ireland and its people to an extent comparable to similar sixed countries in Europe. This includes a recommendation that "As part of a national Air Defence Plan, the Air Corps would develop an air combat and intercept capability through the acquisition of a squadron of jet combat aircraft, allied to the development of associated operational, infrastructure and support arrangements".

That being said, the immediate focus for the NDP period 2026-2030 is the targeted progression on key elements of Government commitments towards LOA 2 objectives.

In terms of LOA 2 capabilities for the Air Corps, a number of projects are currently being progressed under the Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programmes. The delivery of a third Airbus C-295 aircraft (in Military Transport specification) is scheduled for September 2025; and a contract was also awarded in 2024 for the provision of four Airbus H145M light-utility multi-role helicopters, with deliveries due to begin in 2027. Also of relevance to the Air Corps is the Military Radar Programme which was established in response to the recommendation for the establishment of a Recognised Air Picture for Ireland. This Programme which is made up of Long Range Primary Radar, Ground Based Air Defence Systems and Maritime (ship-borne) Radar is of significant importance and has been prioritised. Work is ongoing and good progress is being made.

Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which the Defence Forces are developing their drone capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48980/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones are deployed across the Defence Forces. These are small and medium sized systems which provide situational awareness, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities for deployed personnel in training and on operations both at home and overseas. These assets have no lethal offensive capabilities.

UAS are currently used by a number of branches within the Army such as by Ordnance Corps personnel to assist in the safe conduct of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) duties, as well as by Army Engineer personnel for activities such as Specialist Search and Clearance operations and training. The use of UAS serves to reduce risk exposure to personnel thereby increasing force protection and safety.

The Naval Service utilise UAS daily in the maritime domain for operations such as search and rescue, surveillance, fishery inspections, damage assessments, port and offshore installation security, and maritime pollution monitoring. The Naval Service have also used UAS to support overseas operations including during Operation Pontus in the Mediterranean.

The Air Corps utilise UAS for operator training, photography and videography, communications, infrastructure inspections, and support to air crash investigations.

Looking forward, as the Army’s existing UAS capability is reaching its end of life, market research is being conducted to assist in the procurement of replacement and enhanced capabilities. To that end, and in compliance with EU public procurement procedures, a Prior Information Notice was published in March 2025 to alert the market of the planned procurement and for market research purposes. This planned procurement remains at market research stage and no decisions have been taken on the final capability requirements for the replacement systems.

Furthermore, a specific recommendation in relation to the further development of the Defence Forces’ RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) capabilities was made by the Commission on the Defence Forces. The timeframe for implementation of this recommendation will be outlined in the updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which is due to be published shortly.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total number in the Reserve Defence Forces at present; the way in which that compares with five years ago and ten years ago; the measures in place to encourage recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49037/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have provided the following table that outlines the strengths requested. The military authorities have also advised that a review of the strength figures is currently underway and therefore the figures provided below may be subject to change.

One of the priorities of the Defence Forces Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) was the development of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) Regeneration and Development Plan (RDFRDP), published in July 2024, which coordinates 27 individual actions to drive forward recruitment and retention; resourcing; training and education; as well as integration and deployment - the 4 operational objectives of the plan. Each of the 27 actions contribute to the ultimate goal of developing a Reserve Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy on a voluntary basis with the Permanent Defence Force, both nationally and overseas.

Examples of recruitment measures that continue to support this objective include the increase in upper recruitment and mandatory retirement ages, implementation of a ‘managed Induction Process’ and the on boarding process which enables candidates to undergo pre-attestation recruit training.

The initiatives contained in the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan are generating positive change and increased momentum towards a regenerated, trained and capable RDF to support the Permanent Defence Forces.