William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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294. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to ensure that the Defence Forces are adequately staffed and resourced to meet current and emerging security challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29257/26]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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295. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current status of recruitment and retention initiatives within the Defence Forces; the measures being considered to address ongoing personnel shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29258/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together.

Increasing recruitment and retention of personnel in the Defence Forces is a key priority for me as Minister for Defence. As a government, we are committed to putting the resources in place to achieve Level of Ambition 2 and a crucial element of this is personnel expansion. A range of measures have been undertaken to tackle recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces over the last number of years. As a result, we have seen a stabilisation in the strength of the Permanent Defence Force in 2024 and an increase of almost 200 personnel in 2025.

Recruitment to the Defence Forces remains open and ongoing via a wide range of pathways including general service recruitment, re-entry schemes and multiple direct entry competitions for specialist roles. A range of new recruitment competition streams have successfully launched over the past number of years and include new competitions for Air Traffic Controller Cadetships, Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Grooms in the Equitation School and Dental Nurses. Additional new competitions for Chefs, CIS/Cyber roles and Medical Officers have all launched in recent weeks while the 2026 Cadetship competitions closed in March with over 2,800 applications received.

Indeed, overall application numbers for careers in the Defence Forces continue to grow, with a total of 16,510 applications received in 2025 and more than 7,000 received to end of March of this year. Increases in application numbers and in the overall strength of the PDF demonstrate that the key enabling measures which the Government has introduced to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment and retention are yielding results. These measures include: -

• Increases in the maximum ages of recruitment and retirement respectively.
• The extension of private secondary healthcare to all personnel.
• The application of the provisions of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces subject to certain exemptions.
• Increases to the Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea which has been doubled after ten days at sea in a calendar year.
• Extension of the Naval Service tax credit for a further five years.
• Extension of the Service Commitment Scheme for pilots in the Air Corps to Air Traffic Control personnel.
• Engagement of external expertise to support recruitment in the Naval Service.
• Introduction of a Professional Instructor Payment for Officers.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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296. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the level of investment being allocated to the modernisation of Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure; the timeline for the delivery of key capability upgrades; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29259/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Defence, strengthening capital investment in equipment and infrastructure is a core priority of mine. Under the revised National Development Plan, a total capital allocation of €1.7 billion was secured for the Defence Vote to 2030. This represented an increase of €600 million (55%) on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion. For 2026, the Defence capital allocation increased by €66 million (28%) to €300 million.

This level of investment supports the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, as set out in detail within the Updated Detailed Implementation Plan and Strategic Framework (2026). These documents identify the key priorities required to modernise and transform the Defence Forces, including the delivery of major equipment and infrastructure projects over the coming years.

Given the critically important need for robust radar capabilities to safeguard national security and ensure comprehensive awareness of activity across Ireland’s air and maritime domains, the progression of the Military Radar Programme remains an absolute priority for me in 2026.

Full delivery of the Military Radar Programme, comprising Land based Long Range Primary Radar, Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems - to include a Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capability, and Maritime (Ship-Borne) Radar, has been prioritised with a target date of 2028 outlined in the updated CODF Detailed Implementation Plan. Elements of this capability will be rolled out in phases, starting this year with a particular focus on the development of C-UAS capabilities.

Other vitally important Defence projects set to advance in 2026 include Subsea Awareness, Software Defined Radio, and the acquisition of Light Utility Helicopters along with a wide range of other essential Force Protection equipment procurements.

Ongoing Defence Forces Infrastructural delivery enhances capability, personnel and organisational outcomes and has delivered positive benefits to military installations throughout the country. A number of important ongoing infrastructural projects set to progress significantly in 2026 include the development of the Cadet School HQ at DFTC, and the delivery of a new Medical Facility at Casement Aerodrome.

Further detail including expected delivery timelines related to the enhancement of key Defence Forces equipment and infrastructural capabilities are available on the updated Detailed Implementation Plan and Strategic Framework on the Government’s website .

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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297. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent of Ireland's participation in international peacekeeping missions; the plans to expand or reduce such commitments in the coming period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29260/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has a long-standing and proud tradition of participation in international peacekeeping operations spanning more than six decades. This reflects our strong commitment to international peace and security, to multilateralism, and to the principles and primary role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security.

Ireland continues to be a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN peacekeeping. This commitment is reflected through our consistent participation in UN-mandated operations, as well as through our engagement in EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)-led missions operating under UN mandates.

As of 31 March 2026, Ireland is contributing 429 Defence Forces personnel to peacekeeping missions worldwide, as well as to a range of international organisations and national representations. Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed on a number of UN, EU and other international missions, including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 361 personnel, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) with 12 personnel, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 3 personnel. In support of UN-mandated EU-led missions, Ireland contributes 5 personnel to EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4 personnel to EU Naval Mission Operation Irini, and 13 personnel to the UN-mandated NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo. Ireland also contributes personnel to observer and staff roles in various United Nations and OSCE missions, as well as to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.

Ireland’s participation in UNIFIL has been a central element of this engagement for many years and has played an important role in supporting peace and security in Lebanon and the wider region. The current mandate for UNIFIL runs until the end of 2026, with a managed wind-down and drawdown expected to conclude during 2027. Both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are actively assessing the operational implications of this timeline. The transition phase of any mission presents particular challenges, and careful planning is required to ensure it is managed safely and effectively.

Decisions regarding the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas are made on the basis of policy advice and are informed by developments in the international security environment, the mandates authorised by the United Nations, Ireland’s foreign policy priorities, and the operational demands, assets and capabilities of the Defence Forces, having regard to existing commitments both at home and overseas. These factors are kept under continuous review, particularly in the context of an increasingly challenging security environment.

In the context of UNIFIL, it is anticipated that Ireland will withdraw from the mission during the planned drawdown phase in 2027, bringing to a close a significant and highly valued chapter in Ireland’s peacekeeping history. Planning for this transition is being undertaken in close coordination with the United Nations and partner countries, with a strong emphasis on the safety, welfare and wellbeing of Defence Forces personnel.

The Government remains open to considering future contributions where they align with Ireland’s values, international obligations and the capabilities of the Defence Forces.

Ireland’s participation in peacekeeping continues to be a core element of our international engagement, and I wish to take the opportunity to acknowledge the professionalism, dedication and service of the men and women of the Defence Forces who continue to serve the State with distinction on overseas missions.