Written Answers Nos. 119-132
119. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the figure provided by his Department to maintain existing levels of service in 2024, under his respective remits ahead of Budget 2024; the figure granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51177/23]
View answerThe Summer Economic Statement set out a core spending increase of €5.2bn or 6.1% for Budget 2024, including spending on demographics, NDP capital ceilings and public sector pay agreements.
From within the Budget 2024 funding package my Department was allocated €15m of additional current funding and €100m in additional capital funding to maintain existing levels of service and to fund new measures, including an additional €89m from the Carbon Tax ringfenced for Residential & Community Energy Efficiency, Green Climate Fund and Just Transition Fund. This is an increase of 9% year on year
This significant level of additional funding allocated to my Department for 2024 reflects the Government’s commitment to climate change as one of the critical policy areas requiring investment along with health and housing.
120. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide details of the total military aid given by the EU to Ukraine since the beginning of the Ukrainian war; the amount promised but not yet given; if he will provide information on the contribution given by Ireland to date; how it is spent; the contribution promised in the future by Ireland; whether Ireland supported the giving of such aid in the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50784/23]
View answerIreland 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.
To date, EU Member States have agreed approximately €5.6 billion in military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility (EPF) 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 proposal has been made for the establishment of a dedicated ‘Ukraine Assistance Fund’ under the EPF. This proposed envelope would cover lethal and non-lethal support as well as potentially some of the costs associated with the EU military assistance mission, EUMAM Ukraine. While the proposal remains under discussion among Member States, if agreed, it has the potential to significantly increase Ireland’s contribution to the European Peace Facility.
While I am supportive of the Ukraine Assistance Fund proposal, further discussion is required to agree the modalities of the proposal including the total funding amount proposed and clarity on the way ahead.
Ireland's contribution towards the common costs of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) totals €2.25 million. A further contribution by Ireland is likely before the end of the year.
Through their participation in EUMAM Ukraine, the Defence Forces have provided two modules of training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in Demining & Clearance (in Cyprus), two modules of Tactical Combat Casualty Care /Combat Life Saver (in Germany) and a module of Drill Instructor training (in Germany). The Defence Forces have this week delivered a module of Drill Instructor training to the UAF and plan to deliver a further iteration of Combat Life Saver before the end of the year (both in Germany). They have a draft programme of training to be provided up to March 2024 which is subject to regular updating.
In terms of practical aid provided, the Department of Defence has previously provided approximately 10 tonnes or 5,000 units of ready-to-eat meals and 200 units of body armour, which were shipped from Defence Forces stocks to Ukraine. I have also approved the donation by the Defence Forces of two DOK-ING Mine Clearance Systems (mine flails) to the UAF. It is currently foreseen that this donation as well as training on their use and maintenance will take place early in 2024.
121. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many staff members in his Department have received training in cyber security in the past three years; what types of cyber security training programmes have been conducted; if he will provide details of these programmes; and of the staff trained in cyber security, how many have obtained accredited cyber security qualifications. [50793/23]
View answerMy Department is currently compiling the information requested by the Deputy and will respond fully as soon as the information is complete.
122. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the expenditure on cyber security consultants and companies within his Department in the past three years; if his Department engaged in cyber security audits with outside firms in the past three years; if so, the expenditure on same; the amount his Department spent on cyber security consultants and companies in the past three years; and for a breakdown of these expenditures by year and type of service provided [50811/23]
View answer123. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there are any ongoing contracts or commitments with cyber security firms; and if details can be provided [50829/23]
View answer124. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has a policy and plan in place to address a ransomware attack and restore his Department's IT systems. [50847/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123 and 124 together.
My Department implements a programme of continuous review in relation to ICT security in order to keep up to date with current threat levels given that cyber security is a multi-faceted challenge that is constantly evolving.
In common with other Government Departments, my Department has in place comprehensive arrangements to support ICT security and receives regular advice on these matters from the relevant authorities including the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer(OGCIO) and the National Cyber Security Centre(NCSC)
My Department places a high priority on cyber security and implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security. The defence-in-depth security strategy is achieved through the effective combination of people, processes, and technology to support the implementation of appropriate security measures and provisions. From an operational and security perspective, it would not be appropriate for me to disclose the specific measures taken in relation to cyber security.
125. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department’s plans for the provision and upgrade of living accommodation for Defence Forces personnel in the State’s respective military institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51035/23]
View answerIt is a long-standing policy that long term residential accommodation is no longer provided. There is no immediate plan to reverse this long-standing policy, which was introduced in the early 1990’s and was implemented on a gradual basis in recognition of the sensitivities involved for military personnel and their families.
The Deputy may wish to note that there are over 4,500 military accommodation bed spaces for Defence Forces personnel across the country. A key feature of the Infrastructure Development Plan is the modernisation and upgrading of accommodation facilities for serving members of the Defence Forces and under this Plan a further 500 additional beds spaces are scheduled for provision throughout the country.
Earlier this year I instructed that, where possible, the remaining Defence Forces housing stock be reconfigured to provide Single Living In accommodation for serving personnel. I am advised that the Defence Forces have commenced the procurement process for the assessment of the suitability of existing stock for reconfiguration to modern standards and this competition will be completed shortly.
126. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has any current contracts with an organisation (details supplied) or its subsidiaries in any EU Member State, the UK, the USA, South America, India or Asia; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51037/23]
View answerI am advised by the Defence Forces that their records indicate that there are two contracts currently in place with the organisations referred to in this PQ. Total spend over the last 5 years on these two contracts amounts to €4,063,273.
The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces for the acquisition of goods and services. This is an EU law requirement. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders following advertising of the tender competition on the e-tenders site and on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), where appropriate.Such tender competitions are open to any company or country, subject to the terms of all UN, OSCE and EU arms embargos or restrictions. There are no such restrictions or embargos in place on Israel or Israeli companies.
The Department of Defence carries out its procurement functions in accordance with the legal rules in place and is obliged to follow the established procurement principles for the selection of economic operators with regard to the award of contracts.
127. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51058/23]
View answerNeither my Department nor the Defence Forces are currently engaged in any exercise, operation, training or research with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company.
However, I am advised that my Department and the Defence Forces have engaged with Israeli companies in relation to the procurement of defensive equipment and maintenance and training on such equipment, details of which were provided in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 47802/23, answered on 7 November.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the EU might be encouraged to contribute to defence and coastal security measures on the Irish coast on the basis that such measures would have beneficial impact on Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51143/23]
View answerThe EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have significant strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the coastal defence.
In October 2023, the EU approved the revised EU maritime security strategy (EUMSS) and action plan, aimed at addressing security challenges at sea. The strategy and its accompanying action plan were first adopted by the Council in 2014, with the action plan being updated in 2018.
Together, the two documents provide a comprehensive framework for tackling various threats and challenges at sea. The aim of the revision in 2018, to which Ireland contributed, is to ensure that the EU has a wide range of effective tools at its disposal to address new and evolving security threats and challenges. The revised strategy provides a framework for the EU to take further action to protect its interests at sea, and to protect its citizens, values and economy, also in the light of Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine.
The revised strategy and its action plan have also been aligned with recent EU policy frameworks and instruments, such as the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence. On the basis of the updated EU Maritime Security Strategy, the Strategic Compass aims to, by 2025, further develop and strengthen the EU’s maritime security awareness mechanisms such as the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE) and Maritime Surveillance (MARSUR) to advance interoperability, facilitate decision-making and support increased operational effectiveness. It also aims to further increase the visibility of our naval presence within and beyond the EU, including through port calls, training and exercises as well as capacity building.
While defence remains a national competence, Ireland sees the value in Member States’ national maritime activities voluntarily feeding into greater EU cooperation and adding value where possible. Ireland is a member of the existing European naval maritime surveillance information-sharing network EDA MARSUR Project and is a participant on the Greek led PESCO project “Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance’ which aims to enhance maritime situational awareness, Ireland also participates in the Belgian led PESCO project Maritime (Semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Counter-Measures (MAS-MCM) which aims to deliver a high level collaboration and delivery of semi-autonomous underwater, surface and aerial technologies which can be used in a Mine Counter-Measures role. Ireland is observing on the PESCO project Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection which aims to increase the EU’s operational efficiency in the protection of critical maritime infrastructure protection by making best use of current, and the development of future, underwater assets.
Given my regular engagement in EU discussions on the matter of Maritime Security and the extensive range of activities with which Ireland is closely and actively involved, I do not see a need to request specific additional European Union assistance towards Ireland’s coastal security.
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are continually upgraded in line with best practice given the need to respond to such issues as human trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51144/23]
View answer130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are continually upgraded in line with best practice given the need to respond to such issues as drug trafficking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51146/23]
View answer134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which all sea-going vessels are sufficiently updated to ensure the Naval Service can do its work properly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51151/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 130 and 134 together.
Responsibility for the prevention crime, including human trafficking rests primarily with An Garda Síochána, while overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners.
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 Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
Further additions to the EDP are currently under consideration, including in the context of the Government’s decision to move to a higher level of ambition, known as LOA2, and in light of specific recommendations, associated with a move to LOA2, made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces last year.
Work on capital investment in aircraft continues, a contract with Airbus has been placed at a cost of €72 million, including VAT for a military transport aircraft for the Defence Forces. The Airbus C295W aircraft is highly versatile and will provide a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces military airlift transport requirements and provide a wide contingent capability.
The aircraft will enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, Special Operations Forces operations and a general utility role. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in 2025. In addition, a competitive process to acquire a new mid sized aircraft for Ministerial Air Transport has just been published on the Official Journal of the European Union platform.
The programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft has now been completed, following the delivery of the first aircraft in June and the second last month. Projects for other Air Corps capabilities will be considered in the context of overall capability development and available funding in accordance with the planning processes.
The two Inshore Patrol Vessels, purchased from New Zealand to replace LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara, are expected to become fully operational during 2024 following a comprehensive programme of works, including crew familiarisation and training. Marine advisors have been appointed by my Department to support the procurement of a Multi-Role Vessel (MRV), as provided for in the Government's National Development Plan, and work is progressing in line with the steps in the Public Spending Code. Projects for other Naval Service capabilities will be considered in the context of overall capability development and available funding in accordance with established planning processes.
Projects for the Army are being considered in the context of capability development and available funding against the backdrop of the overall Equipment Development Plan process. There has been significant investment in recent years in the armoured fleet of vehicles with the enhancement of force protection and mobility with the mid-life refit of the MOWAG Piranha III vehicles project nearing completion and the delivery of Armoured Utility Vehicles. These projects have seen the integration of cutting edge technology and equipment into the vehicles. Technology is an enabler of modern military forces and a Software Defined Radio Project which is the next generation communications system for the Defence Forces is currently in the marketplace. This complex project is being designed and customised to meet the Defence Forces' requirements and to incorporate systems and equipment platforms, it will support the joint common operational picture.
The Defence allocation is determined within an overarching budgetary framework which encompasses existing NDP multi-annual capital allocations and remains cognisant of the level of resources available, commensurate with defence policy requirements. It is within this context that the Estimates 2024 discussions took place with the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform, to include full consideration of Defence capital investment priorities for 2024 and beyond. The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation of €176 million in Budget 2024. This level of capital funding allows the Defence Organisation to undertake a phased planned programme of sustained equipment and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.
This is following Government approval for a move over a six-year period to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on Defence Forces, which will entail funding increases to reach a Defence budget of approximately €1.5 billion (at January 2022 prices) by 2028 through the annual Estimates.
This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a phased planned programme of sustained equipment and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and the Report of the Commission, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which he remains convinced that adequate steps are being taken to bring the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps up to a level expected of a European country which happens to be an island off an island, the security of which can have an impact on all of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51147/23]
View answer136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which recruitment is ongoing in the Defence Forces to replenish the numbers retiring or resigning in any given year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51153/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 136 together.
The military authorities advise that as at the end of October 2023, the number of personnel in the Defence Forces stood at 7,595. I have previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces and, to counter these, there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives currently underway. These include ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment, the re-entry schemes, the 'Be More' recruitment campaign, significant progress on basic pay, and the rollout of private medical care to all ranks.
I also recently announced the new Naval Service Patrol Duty Allowance to be introduced from 1 January 2024. This allowance will consolidate the current Patrol Duty Allowance and Sea Going Service Commitment scheme.
In other actions, a Joint Induction Training Centre has been established in Gormanston, with a view to increasing the throughput of recruits, the maximum age of entry has been increased to 29 years for General Service recruits, Cadets, apprentices, and certain specialists, and fitness test scoring has been amended to maximise induction levels. External HR expertise has also been engaged to validate Defence Forces recruitment efforts and a marine specialist recruitment body has been contracted to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.
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.
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.
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of aircraft currently available to the Air Corps, those capable of countering sophisticated drug trafficking or other threats to the security of this or other European states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51148/23]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government.
Currently the Air Corps have twenty six (26) aircraft in service, comprised of sixteen (16) fixed wing and ten (10) rotary wing aircraft, which enable them to provide a broad range of services on a daily basis in accordance with its primary security roles including Army and Naval Service supports, maritime patrols and fishery protection and supports in Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) including drug interdiction.
Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP), which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
There is ongoing and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, regarding security matters, and regular coordination and liaison meetings take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues.
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, assisted by the Air Corps and the Army as required. The Defence Forces work closely with An Garda Síochána and Revenue in relation to suspected drug trafficking.
