Barry Cowen
Question:113. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42527/23]
View answerDefence Forces
Questions (113)
Written answers
The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 August 2023, the latest date for which such figures are available, was 7,671 personnel. The establishment of the Permanent Defence Force has recently been increased to 9,589. This increase is intended to expedite implementation of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, through the creation of 89 additional promotional opportunities.
I have previously acknowledged the staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces, and work is ongoing to counter these. Current recruitment initiatives include ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment, the re-entry schemes, and the 'Be More' recruitment campaign.
A Joint Induction Training Centre has been established in Gormanston, with a view to increasing the throughput of recruits destined for all branches of the Defence Forces, and the training syllabus for these recruits has been refined.
The maximum age of entry has been increased to 29 years for General Service recruits, Cadets, apprentices, and certain specialists. Fitness test scoring has also been amended to maximise induction levels.
External human resources expertise has recently been engaged. This will assess Defence Forces recruitment and the candidate’s recruitment journey, with a view to validation of current processes and appropriate recommendations, where required.
To address specific challenges in the Naval Service, and in an effort to maximise the recruit pool, psychometric testing for Naval Service General Service recruitment has been paused on a pilot basis for 6 months with an analysis of the revised approach to take place at this point. A specific Naval Service recruitment campaign is in train, and a contract has recently been awarded to a marine specialist recruitment body to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.
Government has also acknowledged ongoing staffing challenges in the Defence Forces and has introduced a range of financial and non-financial retention measures such as service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and the Naval Service, tax measures, extension of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces personnel, and significant progress on pay, which compares favourably with other areas in the Public Service.
My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel, and to facilitate capacity for further increases. This will enable us to align ultimately with the level of ambition recommended in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and agreed by Government.
Defence Forces
Questions (114)
Bernard Durkan
Question:114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to indicate, with regard to recent events on the high seas, where the Defence Forces displayed the highest possible degree of competence and bravery, the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the desired level of air and sea surveillance required to fully police Irish shores and submarine installations; if he remains satisfied that the Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps have adequate resources at their disposal to meet the challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42536/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Defence, I commend the courage and professionalism of the Defence Forces personnel involved in this challenging and successful Joint Task Force operation, together with colleagues from Customs and An Garda Síochána.
Overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners, while responsibility for the prevention of crime rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. The Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction was established as a Government measure to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs and consists of members of An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service. It has proven to be a very successful model for disrupting the smuggling of drugs on the high seas into Ireland and has resulted in a number of significant and high profile drugs seizures. The White Paper on Defence (2015) reaffirms the security role carried out by the Defence Forces in support of this important work.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime defence and security operations (MDSO).
The Naval Operations Command Centre located at Naval Base in Haulbowline is staffed twenty four hours a day seven days a week by qualified Naval Service personnel who carry out monitoring and surveillance of all vessels equipped with a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) that are operating in and adjacent to the Irish EEZ.
Naval Service surveillance is augmented by the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron in patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using the two CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft which are equipped with surveillance and communication equipment. The programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is nearing completion with the arrival of the first aircraft in June this year. The second C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is expected to arrive into Baldonnel later this month. These aircraft will feature updated and upgraded equipment to ensure that the Air Corps can continue to deliver the required capability required of an island country. In addition, the Air Corps fleet of four Pilatus PC-12 aircraft play a key role in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) area providing a substantially increased capability with their state of the art surveillance technology.
I am committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces continue to be equipped and trained to best international standards to carry out the roles assigned to them by Government.
Defence Forces
Questions (115)
Gino Kenny
Question:115. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the recruitment and retention challenges facing the Defence Forces; how the Strategic Framework: Transformation of the Defence Forces will address those challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42518/23]
View answerWritten answers
As at 31 August 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces was 7,671 personnel comprised of 6,221 Army personnel, 695 Air Corps personnel and 775 Naval Service personnel.
I have previously acknowledged the staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces, and work is ongoing to counter these. Current recruitment initiatives include ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment, the re-entry schemes, and the 'Be More' recruitment campaign.
A Joint Induction Training Centre has been established in Gormanston, with a view to increasing the throughput of recruits destined for all branches of the Defence Forces, and the training syllabus for these recruits has been refined.
The maximum age of entry has been increased to 29 years for General Service recruits, Cadets, apprentices, and certain specialists. Fitness test scoring has also been amended to maximise induction levels.
External human resources expertise has recently been engaged. This will assess Defence Forces recruitment and the candidate’s recruitment journey, with a view to validation of current processes and appropriate recommendations, where required. Their initial focus is on the Naval Service.
To address specific challenges in the Naval Service, and in an effort to maximise the recruit pool, psychometric testing for Naval Service General Service recruitment has been paused on a pilot basis for 6 months with an analysis of the revised approach to take place at this point. A specific Naval Service recruitment campaign is in train, and a contract has recently been awarded to a marine specialist recruitment body to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.
Government has also introduced a range of financial and non-financial retention measures such as service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and the Naval Service, tax measures, extension of private medical care to all Defence Forces personnel, and significant progress on pay, which compares favourably with other areas in the Public Service.
My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel, and to facilitate capacity for further increases. This will enable us to align ultimately with the level of ambition recommended in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and agreed by Government.
The Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces brings together into one plan the actions to be taken to support the transformation agenda and sets core priorities for completion by the end of 2024, one of which is the stabilisation of personnel numbers.
Question No. 116 answered with Question No. 84.
Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 98.
White Papers
Questions (118)
Brendan Smith
Question:118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the security environment analysis arising from the White Paper on Defence will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42551/23]
View answerWritten answers
The White Paper on Defence published in 2015 set out the Government intention to put in place a new fixed cycle of defence reviews. Such reviews are common practice internationally and give reassurance that policy remains up to date and relevant to changing future circumstances.
The White Paper set out that every three years there will be a White Paper update that would consider progress made up to that time and consider any revisions required with each alternative three-year review in the cycle being more comprehensive in nature and to be styled a Strategic Defence Review. This new review process also informs strategy statement preparation.
The first of these reviews, the White Paper Update was published in 2019. The second of these reviews, the Strategic Defence Review stage, was due to commence in 2021. With the establishment of the independent Commission on the Defence Forces by Government in December 2020, a decision was taken to pause commencing the Strategic Defence Review until the Commission on the Defence Forces had completed their report and Government had been given time to consider the report.
Following detailed consideration of the Commission Report the Minister for Defence brought to Government a High Level Action Plan and a Memo for Government which were approved on July 12th last year. Part of the High Level Action Plan was the progression of a number of early actions one of these being the commencement of the Strategic Defence Review.
The first stage of this review has commenced with the preparation of a revised security environment assessment (SEA) which is currently being conducted by an interdepartmental working group and will address the significant security environment changes since the invasion of Ukraine. A fresh consideration of the implications of this assessment for overall policy requirements, associated tasks, capability development and resourcing will then be completed. The security environment assessment should be completed in the near future and will inform the Strategic Defence Review
The Department of Defence, together with the Department of Foreign Affairs, co-hosted a Consultative Forum on International Security in June 2023. The Forum built a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State, and the links to, and between, our foreign, security and defence policy. It also provided an opportunity to examine the experiences and policy choices of other partners in responding to the new security environment in Europe.
As well as encompassing the Governments agreed recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Strategic Defence Review will consider the reflections of the Consultative Forum on International Security and the future role of the Defence Forces both nationally and internationally.
Ukraine War
Questions (119)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:119. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total military aid given by the EU to Ukraine since the beginning of the Ukrainian war; the amount promised but not yet given; the contribution given by Ireland to date; the contribution promised in the future; whether Ireland supported the giving of such aid in the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42548/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland and the European Union have been consistent in our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression. The response by the European Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine.
EU Member States have agreed approximately €5.6 billion in military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility to date, consisting of approximately €5.22 billion for lethal equipment and approximately €380 million for non-lethal equipment.
In line with the Programme for Government, Ireland constructively abstains on all lethal equipment elements of the support packages. Our full share of funding – approximately €122 million (to date) – is, therefore, directed exclusively toward non-lethal support. This is the basis on which Ireland’s involvement in the EPF was decided by the Government and agreed with and understood by our EU partners.
A further €1 million has been contributed to date towards the common costs of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). A further contribution by Ireland is likely before the end of the year.
Through their participation in EUMAM Ukraine, the Defence Forces have provided training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in Demining & Clearance (in Cyprus) and in two modules of Tactical Combat Casualty Care /Combat Life Saver (in Germany). The Defence Forces are currently delivering a module of drill instruction training to the UAF. They have a draft programme of training to be provided up to March 2024 which is subject to regular updating.
Later this year, it is intended that the Defence Forces will donate two DOK-ING Mine Clearance Systems (mine flails) to the UAF, as well as training on their use and maintenance.
At the June 2023 European Council, EU leaders agreed to stand ready to contribute to future security commitments to Ukraine, and discussions are ongoing in Brussels on this. The Council Conclusions recognise that these commitments will fully respect Member States’ security and defence policies, such as Ireland’s.
The establishment of a dedicated ‘Ukraine Assistance Fund’ under the EPF has been proposed, with an annual budget of approximately €5 billion and a potential total ceiling of €20 billion for the period 2024-2027 as a core element of such support. This proposed envelope would cover lethal and non-lethal support as well as some of the costs associated with the EU military assistance mission, EUMAM Ukraine.
If this proposal for the establishment of a dedicated "Ukraine Assistance Fund" is agreed, it has the potential to significantly increase in Ireland’s contribution to the European Peace Facility. In line with the commitments in our Programme for Government, any increase in Ireland’s share of EPF funding for Ukraine will continue to be directed exclusively towards non-lethal military support.
Question No. 120 answered orally.
Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 95.
Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 100.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (123)
Réada Cronin
Question:123. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide details on the structure and operations of the Civil-Military Defence Women's Network set up in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42553/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Defence Women’s Network (DWN), a joint civil/military initiative, was officially launched in 2022 following preparation and external training for a volunteer civil and military committee in 2021 provided by an external consultant, Gillian Hartford, Country Executive of 30% Club.
The DWN welcomes anyone working in either the Defence Forces or the Department of Defence, including those operating on a temporary or reserve basis. The DWN also welcome and foster participation and support from male colleagues.
The following sets out the DWN purpose, mission and focus;
Purpose – to connect, engage, inform and inspire you in your career as a woman in the Defence Organisation in Ireland
Mission – For every women in the Defence Organisation to be supported in achieving their fullest potential
Focus - understanding each other. Reflecting my “whole life”, building Networks
The role and remit of the DWN continues to grow and expand, and is open to all grades/ranks across Defence, with the ongoing contribution and support of Secretary General Jacqui McCrum and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy.
The Network provides a forum for women in both the Department and Defence Forces to come together in a safe space; a forum in which to share the challenges and opportunities experienced in the workplace. This forum allows for an informal but effective mentoring process and support system to evolve and develop for all women in Defence who wish to participate.
There is no membership list per se, as the Network is open to all within the Department of Defence and Defence Forces. The virtual launch was attended by 212 and generally attendance at Network events attracts between 100 to 150 attendees.
2022 marked the first full year of DWN activities which included a variety of events.
These events ranged from networking events at local and national levels, both in-person and hybrid, to sharing of inspiring stories from some of our female leaders, both civil and military, to celebrating milestones such as International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day as well as the creation of a regular newsletter. Speakers ranged from sports personalities to university professors and female advocates.
Funding for the Network events is provided predominantly from within the Departmental budget.
Question No. 124 answered with Question No. 86.
Question No. 125 answered orally.
Naval Service
Questions (126)
Thomas Gould
Question:126. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of sailings of Irish Naval Vessels that have been unable to proceed this year due to staffing issues; the number of vessels currently not in use; and the current target for recruitment for the Naval Service this year. [42558/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary.
The Naval Service has recently adopted a three ship operational posture with two ships operational and another ship on standby. The decision to reduce the number of operational ships was made as a result of the previously acknowledged recruitment and retention difficulties in the Naval Service, in particular for specialist positions. This strategic decision has been taken in order to streamline operations, bolster existing capabilities, and ensure optimal resource allocation in the Naval Service.
A total of 46 scheduled Naval Service patrol days have been cancelled to date this year due to staffing issues.
My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
The Government has previously acknowledged the recruitment and retention difficulties in the Naval Service, which present ongoing challenges. This is the case, in particular, for the specialist positions, as the current competitive jobs market is proving challenging for all sectors. The high standard of training provided by the Defence Forces makes its members ever more attractive to private sector employers. Work is ongoing in a number of areas to address the difficulties.