Written Answers Nos. 158-168
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which updating of training procedures continues within the Defence Forces at all levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3029/24]
View answerThe primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government.
The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely: Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for exercising command authority across the full range of military functions both at home and overseas in international operations. Skills Training ensures that Defence Forces personnel have the requisite individual, specialist, and crew skills.
Career Training, and education, provides the organisation with the necessary pool of leaders and commanders at all levels. Collective Training allows military personnel to use their individual, crew, specialist and career training together, to develop integrated and coherent combat forces.
The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve, is underpinned by an analysis of training required to meet operational output and capability development requirements.
The Defence Forces seek to constantly benchmark training across all three arms of the organisation against best military and academic practice. Military best practice is ensured by implementing a policy of standardisation that is in line with EU and NATO/Partnership for Peace partners. Academic best practice is ensured by benchmarking courses through accreditation under the National Framework of Qualifications which is validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland.
The Defence Forces deliver military programmes and modules meeting national and international standards and engage with external educational institutions in order to facilitate organisational learning. This engagement with national and international educational institutions, military and civilian, aims to ensure that the Defence Forces retain currency with regards to best international practice and employ all relevant modern training methods.
I remain committed to ensuring that all personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be trained to appropriate standards.
159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which part-time members of the Defence Forces are given opportunities to upgrade their skills on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3030/24]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve in his question.
Members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve are volunteers who undertake training in their spare time. In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve Service and to maximise attendance of Reserve personnel, training continues to be organised both in and out of normal working hours, at weekends and during academic and traditional holiday periods.
The primary function of training and education in both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is to develop and maintain capabilities necessary to enable personnel to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve, is underpinned by an analysis of training needed to meet operational output requirements and capability development needs.
A long term regeneration plan is being prepared following the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF). This plan is spearheaded by the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) which was established last year on foot of the CoDF recommendations and will involve various goals around recruitment in order to bolster the strength and activity of the RDF.
The budget of €2,050,000 for the RDF was exceeded last year by nearly €190,000, due to an increase in training days completed by RDF members in 2023. This is a clear example of the positive growth and regeneration of the RDF in 2023 and, as a result, an increase in the budget has been provided for 2024.
I am satisfied that members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve are afforded the opportunity to avail of training and update their skills on an ongoing basis.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which equipment in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continue to be upgraded through the standards equal to the best; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3032/24]
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. 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 both aircraft in 2023. 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 over the coming months during 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 major upgrade of elements of the Defence Forces secure communications infrastructure is underway following the awarding of a contract in Q4 2023 for the supply of Software Defined Radio capability to the Defence Forces at a cost of €76.1m inclusive of VAT. This critical programme will deliver cutting edge radios along with associated systems and supports to the Defence Forces.
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.
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women applying for and enlisting in the Defence Forces with equal respect to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3033/24]
View answerAs at 31 December 2023, the number of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 559.
The table below sets out the number of women who applied for, and the number that were inducted into, the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 December 2023. At 37, the number female inductions represents some 9% of the total inductions of 415 personnel, in line with the aims of the Chief of Staff for 2023.
|
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
Total |
|
|
Applications |
695 |
257 |
165 |
1,117 |
|
Inductions |
24 |
5 |
8 |
37 |
There are many reasons for the low number of inductions versus applications. These include applications not being completed or followed through by applicants, applicants not presenting for various stages of the recruitment process, in addition to being unsuccessful at the various stages.
Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework and the High Level Action Plan agreed by Government on the Commission on the Defence Forces contains a range of recommendations designed to assist in increasing female participation in the Defence Forces.
The Government remains committed to increasing female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve.
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which he remains satisfied that the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps remain sufficiently equipped to deal with any emergency or natural disaster that might arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3034/24]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
The Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non security related tasks.
At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency.
In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to emergencies such as severe weather events or terrorist attacks rests with the three designated principal response agencies, namely, the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Service Executive. The Defence Forces provides assistance within means to the appropriate Lead Department or Principal Response Agency in the event of a natural disaster or an emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) and Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) roles.
In respect of security threats, responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. In that regard, among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2015) is the provision of ATCP which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. There is on-going and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including ATCP deployments and includes military training activities which are specifically designed to respond to possible security emergencies. Regular coordination and liaison meetings also take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues.
The Government established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020. The work of the independent Commission on the Defence Forces underpins this Government's commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision beyond 2030.
Implementation of the Commission's recommendations will result in significant increased investment in capability development over the coming years and is a demonstration of the Government’s strong commitment to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern, agile military force, capable of responding to increasingly complex security challenges. An important output from the opening phase of the Transformation Programme, as outlined in the Strategic Framework published in 2023, is to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into an organisation that is fit for the purpose of defending the State, and meeting the challenges of today and the future.
I am committed to ensuring that the personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be equipped and trained to best international standards and I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats and emergencies under constant review.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces will continue to respond in an effective and timely manner to such events were they to occur in the state.
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of Irish military personnel serving at various locations overseas; the level of future deployments if known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3036/24]
View answerAs of 11 January 2024, Ireland is contributing 530 Defence Forces personnel to overseas missions and locations. The main missions in which personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 329 personnel, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 134 personnel. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.
There are currently no plans to increase our commitment to overseas deployments. Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. The changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles need to be considered in the context of assets and capabilities which can be made available by the Defence Forces for overseas deployment, given existing operational demands at home and overseas.
Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed below.
MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS
As of 11 January 2024
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQUNIFIL 123rd Infantry BattalionUNIFIL Sector West HQ |
83174 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria |
11 |
|
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side)UNDOF 67th Infantry Group (Camp Faouar - Bravo side) |
6128 |
|
TOTAL |
474 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
4 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ |
13 |
|
Naval Service EU Mission (Op Irini HQ) |
4 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
495 |
|
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) |
|
|
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
EU MILITARY STAFF |
|
|
Brussels |
8 |
|
EU Battle Group(EUBG) |
|
|
German Led Battle Group, 2024-2, FHQ, Stadtallendord |
9 |
|
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF |
|
|
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
2 |
|
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
Military Representative in PSC Delegation (Brussels) |
4 |
|
Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) |
3 |
|
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Military C-IED expert, UN Training Entebbe |
1 |
|
EUMAM UA |
4 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
530 |
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the budget available to his Department remains sufficient to meet requirements in the course of the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3037/24]
View answerThe 2024 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) provides an allocation of €1.25 billion in Defence Group funding, an increase of €40 million over 2023. The Defence Vote Group includes the Defence and Army Pensions Votes. The allocations for 2024 are €933 million for the Defence Vote and €317 million for the Army Pensions Vote. This significant level of funding will further enable progress on the transformation of the Defence Forces in line with the objectives and timeframes outlined in the Defence Strategic Framework, published last September.
The increased current expenditure allocation of €757 million on the Defence Vote will not only address existing spending pressures across many operational areas, but will also include targeted funding for a number of key recommendations arising from the CODF and the IRG, such as:
• An increased Defence Forces Medical Healthcare allocation to cover the full year costs of extended healthcare to all Defence Forces personnel;
• A significant provision specifically to meet the 2024 costs of the Tribunal of Inquiry arising from the IRG Report;
• A significant increase in the advertising allocation to support an enhanced Defence Forces recruitment effort throughout 2024;
• An increased Civilian Support allocation to facilitate further progression of civilian recruitment and to also allow for an increased spend on the essential engagement of external expertise and services.
The Permanent Defence Force pay and allowances budget of €493 million will be used to meet the ongoing pay and allowance costs of a Permanent Defence Force (PDF) strength of 7,700 and will also facilitate the recruitment of an additional net 400 PDF personnel throughout 2024.
Recruitment and retention of personnel is a key priority for me. My Department has progressed a number of activities relating to recruitment and retention and related HR issues in the Defence Forces which are having a stabilisation effect and are slowly beginning to make an impact. These include commissioning from the ranks, the re-entry of former PDF personnel with specific skills, a sea-going commitment scheme for Naval Service Personnel, an Air Corps Service Commitment Scheme, the Naval Service Tax Credit and extending service limits for Privates, Corporals and Sergeants, and only last November, I announced that with effect from 01 January 2024 the Patrol Duty Allowance (PDA) paid to Naval Service personnel will be doubled after ten days at sea.
The capital investment budget of €176 million for Defence remains at its highest ever level, and, along with progressing the strategically important development of primary radar capabilities, will facilitate investment in, inter alia, the Defence Forces communications systems, military transport aircraft, force protection equipment, transport vehicles, military engineering equipment and ICT projects. It will also enable continued investment in Defence Forces installations throughout the country.
The Defence Vote also provides funding for Civil Defence, Irish Red Cross Society and the Reserve Defence Force.
The 2024 Army Pensions (Vote 35) allocation of €317 million will provide funding for 13,475 Army Pensioners and certain dependants.
All spending within my Department is carefully profiled and monitored, and I remain satisfied that the 2024 allocation of €1.25 billion will enable the Defence Forces to effectively undertake all roles approved by Government, both at home and overseas, while also allowing considerable progress on the transformation agenda underway throughout the Defence Forces.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Air Corps and the Naval Service continue to cooperate in air/sea rescue missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3038/24]
View answerThe Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain since 2004. The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) comes within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Transport.My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out the roles assigned to them by Government as set out in the White Paper on Defence 2015, which includes the provision of a range of supports to Government departments and agencies in line with MOUs and SLAs agreed by the Department of Defence, including search and rescue services.Both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to IRCG in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an “as available” basis. A Service Level Agreement is in place with the Irish Coast Guard setting out agreed roles and responsibilities in this regard.
Air Corps SAR services currently provided to the Coast Guard on an “as available” basis include search support in a number of settings including the provision of top cover support, the potential to act as on-scene air co-ordinator if required and the provision of island medevacs when the IRCG are unable to respond, among other taskings.Naval Service support to the Irish Coast Guard on an “as available” basis in the maritime SAR domain includes Search & Rescue/Recovery support, accommodation of IRCG personnel onboard Naval Service ships as required, enforcement of Exclusion Zones and Diving Unit assistance, among other taskings.The Air Corps and Naval Service also participate in joint training exercises with the IRCG as required, and provide representation on relevant committees and fora as appropriate such as the National SAR Stakeholder Forum under the aegis of the Department of Transport.
168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will clarify whether the transfer of data and/or records from his Department that is transferred to other departments, State bodies and local authorities is in aggregated form or on an individual basis; and the reason the data and/or records are provided. [3077/24]
View answerTransfers of data from my Department to other public bodies are both in aggregated form and on an individual basis depending on the purpose for processing. Data and/or records are transferred, in accordance with data protection legislation, where it is necessary for the delivery of the Department's official functions. Data sharing with competent authorities under the law enforcement directive may also take place in accordance with law.
