Written answers
Thursday, 28 May 2026
Department of Defence
Programme for Government
Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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209. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if she will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within her remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41382/26]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department has taken a number of actions to ensure delivery on commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland’s Future. these are set out in the following table:
| Programme for Government Commitment | Action Taken by the Department of Defence | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Government will preserve and protect Ireland’s policy of active military neutrality. We also recognise that while we strongly value our military neutrality, we are not politically neutral. We will continue to engage with international partners and we will reform the Triple Lock legislation whilst also ensuring that amendments to the legislation are in keeping with our values and policy of active military neutrality. | The General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 was published in May 2025. The purpose of this legislation is to consolidate and amend the existing legislative provisions regarding the Triple Lock, taking account of the changed geo-political environment in which the Defence Forces now operate. The proposed legislation continues to preserve Ireland's policy of military neutrality, while affording the Government greater autonomy on the deployment or despatch of more than 12 troops overseas. It is anticipated that the full text of the Bill go to government for approval by the end of Q2 2026. |
| 2. | We will also continue to co-operate with international partners in pursuit of our security interests and in line with our values, focussing on: - International security and peacekeeping - Protection of critical undersea infrastructure - More efficient procurement of military equipment - Cyber security and countering hybrid threats - Training, upskilling and knowledge sharing | The Defence Forces continue their long tradition of contributing to international peacekeeping MOUs concluded with a number of international partners in relation to procurement, training opportunities and knowledge sharing. My Department's Maritime Security Strategy, which was published in February 2026, identifies in its action plan the cooperation with international partners that will be pursued in relation to maritime security and hybrid threats. In terms of procurement of military equipment Memorandums of Understanding have been established with Finland, France, UK and the Netherlands with further MOUs expected to be established in the near future. |
| 3. | Continue to increase investment in Defence, providing the funding and political support necessary to achieve Level of Ambition 2 Enhanced Capability, and move as quickly as possible to Level of Ambition 3 with commensurate investment as appropriate | Following a record investment of €1.35 billion for the Defence Vote in Budget 2025, Budget 2026 provided a further increased allocation of €1.49 billion for the Defence sector. An additional €1.7 billion was also allocated for capital investment under the National Development Plan 2025-2030. |
| 4. | Deliver continued reform of the military leadership structures, including the changes necessary to establish a new Chief of Defence (CHOD) role. | Approval to draft Heads of Bill on these complex legislative provisions was agreed in 2025. It is expected that the General Scheme of the proposed legislation to establish the role of Chief of Defence, in line with the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, will be brought to government for approval in Q3 2026. |
| 5. | Continue to support the High Level Action Plan on the implementation of the Commission on Defence Forces, including the identification of HQ locations. | 54 of the Recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces were completed by end of Q1 2026. The actions contained in the Strategic Framework 2026, and the Updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces will continue to be actioned throughout 2026. |
| 6. | Ensure full delivery of the new Joint Cyber Defence Command strategy published by the last Government. | A dedicated Joint Cyber Defence Command has been established, led at a new senior position of Brigadier General rank, taking over cyber operations previously led by Communications and Information Services (CIS) Corps. Additional staff have been approved to resource this new Command in achieving its initial operational capacity. |
| 7. | Prioritise the regeneration and growth of Ireland’s Naval Service, including the Naval Reserve, with a focus on protecting our significant and expanding sub-sea data cabling infrastructure and emerging offshore energy sector | Following the establishment of a force design team for the Naval Service, work continues apace on the regeneration of the Naval Service, with targeted recruitment and retention campaigns executed throughout 2025. In addition, renovation works at Haulbowline are ongoing and have already increased the number and quality of accommodation available at the Base. The strength of the Naval Service grew in 2025 from 719 at the beginning of the year, to 784 personnel at year end. Finalisation and actioning of a Naval Service Regeneration Plan will take place during 2026. In June 2025, a contract was awarded to Thales France for towed sonar capability, which heralds new and growing opportunities for the Naval Service in the coming years. |
| 8. | Review our military intelligence structures to ensure that our intelligence services are optimised to protect national security. | A General Scheme of a Bill is currently being drafted so that the roles and functions of Military Intelligence will be underpinned by legislation. The rollout of Defence Attaché network is being progressed. |
| 9. | Plan for the interoperability of specialist Defence Forces with specialist units of An Garda Síochána on national defence matters | Significant engagement was conducted between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochana throughout 2025, with a focus on interoperability between Special Operations Forces and the Emergency Response Unit of An Garda Siochana. Agreement was reached on the continued alignment of processes and procedures between the DF and AGS. |
| 10. | Continue to drive forward modernisation and cultural change, fully supporting the External Oversight Board in its work, implementing outstanding IRG recommendations and making our military a modern, effective and attractive employer of choice. | The independent External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces is a critical element in driving the necessary changes in workplace culture and behaviour in the Defence Forces. The Body was established in April 2023, initially on a non-statutory basis. The Body was established on a statutory basis from 1 December 2024. The Body oversees and monitors the management of human resources of the Defence Forces, and provides advice to the Minister on any matters arising from these oversight functions. The Body reports to the Minister for Defence on a six-monthly basis on the performance and progress of the Defence Forces on matters within the Body’s remit. The Body published its Strategy Statement 2026-2028. The Body has submitted its annual report for 2025 to the Minister for Defence which will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas following the Minister’s approval. |
| 11. | Cooperate fully with the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Matters relating to the complaints processes in the Defence Forces. | The Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry ('the Tribunal') was established by Statutory Instrument (SI 304 of 2024) on 20 June 2024. The Tribunal issued Orders for Discovery against the Minister for Defence and separately against the Chief of Staff in January 2025 requiring the discovery of documents held in the Department of Defence / Defence Forces which come within the Terms of Reference for the Tribunal. This significant discovery exercise, covering four decades of documents, was completed in Q4 2025. The Department of Defence continues to cooperate fully with the Tribunal of Inquiry and assists the Tribunal in a variety of ways, most recently obtaining sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for the Tribunal to engage an additional solicitor on a part-time basis to assist with an increased workload and also obtaining the assistance of the Electoral Commission who will assist the Tribunal in providing additional office space in Smithfield, if required, during the public hearings. The Tribunal has indicated by a notice on its website that it will commence public hearings on 3 June 2026. |
| 12. | Continue the process of improving pay and conditions for serving personnel, while also continuing to build on improvements in the recruitment process including a nationwide programme for Transition Year and Third Level students, with a view to achieving the target of 11,500 personnel and better representation of women at all levels of the Defence Forces | Following the significant progress that has been made on pay and benefits for the Defence Forces, the most recent pay increase awarded in February 2026 resulted in the application of the following starting salaries: (i) Recruits on completion of training are paid: €42,465 Year 1 (€13,139 or a 44% increase since 2020) (ii) A school leaver Cadet on commissioning is paid €46,359 (representing an increase of €15,475 or 50% from 2019). After 2 years, their pay rises to €51,748. (iii) The pay rate for a graduate entrant on commissioning begins at €51,748. All pay rates are inclusive of the Military Service Allowance. In addition, the following matters were instigated and/or continued throughout 2025: -The Service Commitment Scheme previously available to pilots in the Air Corps was extended to Air Traffic Controllers. - The implementation of a payment to Officer Instructors in the Defence Forces was introduced in 2025. - The application of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces in January 2025 subject to certain exemptions. - The extension of private medical care to all ranks in the Defence Forces. - A doubling of the Patrol Duty allowance, effective from 1 January 2024. - Extension of the Naval Service tax credit up to 2029. As of the 30 April 2026, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 7,741 personnel; this represents a year-on-year increase of more than 200 personnel on the total of 7,512 recorded for the same period last year. The outsourcing of elements of the recruitment process for the Naval Service, including the targeting of skilled individuals required by the Naval Service, yielded positive results in 2025 with a total of 24 Direct Entry specialists recruited, the largest amount in over 5 years. In line with current policies and commitments, several initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. These include: - Inclusion of a female perspective in marketing * Awareness campaigns aimed at bridging the knowledge gap for women about DF careers - Women and men are present at career and outreach events - Review of recruitment processes to ensure fairness - Review of advertisements to ensure they are inclusive - Creation of new induction streams to appeal to females - Female ad campaign was launched in February 2026 and the first cycle has been completed. |
| 13. | Continue to examine incentives and structural changes to make a military career accessible to a wider range of candidates, and to encourage existing personnel to extend their military careers, including Rewarding Long Service and broadening eligibility criteria. | Since the mandatory retirement age for Defence Force members increased from 60 to 62 on 19 August 2024, currently 20 officers and 83 enlisted personnel in this age group are still serving who would have had to retire at 60 under the mandatory retirement age regulations in place prior to that date. A further 19 personnel remained in service past the age of 60 since 19 August 2024, who since retired. Therefore, in total, 122 personnel availed of the opportunity to continue their careers after the age of 60 since August 2024. In 2023, 755 members retired/discharged from the Defence Forces, in 2024 that number was 674 and 583 personnel retired or discharged in 2025. A number of positive retention measures have been introduced in recent years for members of the Defence Forces. The reduction in the numbers leaving is due to a multitude of factors. Given the numbers who are continuing their military careers past the previous retirement age, the increased mandatory retirement age would appear to be a contributory factor. In relation to turnover, last year’s rate of 7.6% was down on the previous year’s figure of 9% and from a rate of 10% recorded for 2023. Average turnover rate since 2019 was just over 9%. |
| 14. | Establish a properly resourced Office of Veterans Affairs, based within the Department of Defence and working across Government to assist with the needs of our veterans. | In line with this government's commitment in the Programme for Government, and the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Department of Defence established the dedicated Office of Veterans Affairs in Q4 2025. |
| 15. | Enhance the Personnel Support Service (PSS), which provides essential support to the families and partners of Defence Force members, recognising the importance of their contribution. | The Personnel Support Service (PSS) is available both in state and on overseas deployments for serving members and their families. The PSS includes a team of senior occupational social workers and trained military employee assistance personnel. To date, additional Social Workers have been recruited, with more recruitment and other enhancements planned. Engagement has taken place between the incoming OiC PSS and key internal stakeholders with a view to understanding their needs in the context of ongoing PSS enhancement. Engagement has also taken place on the development of the future structures required for the PSS. |
| 16. | Ensure the further development of our Reserve Defence Force, ensuring that the newly established Office of Reserve Affairs and the Regeneration and Development Plan is fully resourced and equipped and take all steps to increase the number of reserves. | My Department is carrying out a review of the Reserve Defence Force, which started in Q2 2025 and will continue through the first half of 2026. This includes a review of the relevant legal and policy frameworks. Specialist recruitment for the RDF continues, with increased upper recruitment and mandatory retirement ages introduced, the implementation of new and improved onboarding and induction processes and initiatives aimed at female participation among the changes implemented. |
| 17. | Introduce financial supports for Irish SMEs who facilitate staff to be members of the RDF and explore the potential of our higher and further education institutions as centres for promoting a geographically dispersed reservist culture across the country. | My Department has committed to complete a further evaluation of Employment Protection Legislation. Engagement with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is ongoing and it is planned to host a series of meetings with stakeholders, including ‘Business in the Communities’ in Quarter 3 2026. These meetings will also include discussions on financial supports for Irish SMEs who facilitate staff to be members of the RDF. The Office of Reserve Affairs are exploring the potential of our higher and further education institutions as centres for promoting a geographically dispersed reservist culture across the country. |
| 18. | Ensure effective implementation of the Working Time Directive. | The blanket exclusion of the Defence Forces from the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 was removed, subject to the derogations permitted by the Working Time Directive. |
| 19. | Deliver enhanced radar capability for the country, with an integrated Monitoring and Surveillance System across Maritime, Land and Air domains. | In line with the assessment of the joint civil-military Project Team, a Government-level approach was deemed to be the most effective way for Ireland to develop the required radar capabilities. This approach guarantees the use of the experience and knowledge of a trusted partner country which cannot be provided through any other option, particularly as we need to procure a new capability in order to develop a complete Recognised Air Picture. The Preliminary Business Case concluded that the French proposal substantially fulfils Ireland’s capability requirements under this Programme and provides a high level of confidence in their overall ability to deliver across all aspects. The first phase of the Military Radar Project is currently being rolled out, including the acquisition of Counter UAS capabilities in advance of Ireland assuming the Presidency of the EU. |
| 20. | Upgrade the military transport fleet, deliver additional Air Corps capacity, and deliver next generation radio communications and signal equipment. | Air Corps capability was strengthened considerably with the following additions to the existing fleet: - A third C295 aircraft was delivered in October 2025, which is capable of troop transport, as well as maritime patrol operations. - The Strategic Reach Aircraft was delivered in December 2025, providing greater range (in distance and mission type) for the Air Corps. - The roll out of new software defined radios is underway at present. |
| 21. | Progress the Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme, replacing secondary armament across the fleet and enhancing our subsea capabilities | 2025 was the first full year of operations of the L.E. Aoibhinn (P71)- one of two Inshore Patrol Vessels purchased from New Zealand and commissioned in 2024. This increased the Naval Service patrol and monitoring presence in the Irish Sea. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, the LÉ Róisín and the LÉ Niamh, has been completed. Both ships are currently in operational reserve. A contract was signed with Thales France to develop Ireland's subsea capability in June 2025. Project to replace secondary armament on Naval vessels underway. |
| 22. | We will continue to develop our maritime support infrastructure, investing to future proof Haulbowline Naval Base, and establishing an additional East Coast Base for the Naval Service. | Building on the Infrastructure Development Plan, the Government approved the development of a series of Masterplans for each military installation in the state, including Haulbowline Naval Base. Each masterplan will: - identify the future development of Defence sites - future proof infrastructure to achieve LOA2 and LOA3 - identify the need for any restrictions on areas in proximity to installations. In 2025 the Upgrade of Block 4 Accommodation in Haulbowline was completed providing accommodation for some 74 personnel and the refurbishment of Block 9 at a contract value of over €9m continued with a projected completion in mid 2026 |
| 23. | We will continue the transformational investment in the military estate and the upgrading of barracks across the country, including major upgrade of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. | The Airside Masterplan for Casement Aerodrome was completed in 2025, with development options equivalent to over €200 million in investment. By end of year 2025, eight capital investment projects had been completed at Casement Aerodrome, with a further project under construction. |
| 24. | We will audit the existing military estate and examine the feasibility of developing new accommodation on the estate for military personnel. | In 2025 the Upgrade of Block 4 Accommodation in Haulbowline Naval Base was completed providing accommodation for some 74 personnel. |
| 25. | Implement the ‘Civil Defence –Towards 2030’ policy, including delivery of a new centralised volunteer and equipment management system. | Each of the 28 Civil Defence Units across the country carried out a review of its Development Plan throughout 2025 for the current multi-annual planning process. The Civil Defence also continues to invest in the online Volunteer and Equipment Management System, which brings together all key Civil Defence volunteer, duty and equipment management information on one platform. |
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