Written Answers Nos. 279-293
279. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence his views regarding the position which will be adopted by Ireland at a European Council Defence Ministers meeting on 13 May 2021 regarding the US, Canada and Norway joining a EU Military Mobility Project; if Ireland plans to participate in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25395/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's participation in PESCO was agreed by Government and approved by Dáil Éireann prior to the Council Decision establishing PESCO on 11 December 2017. Of the 47 projects that have since launched, Ireland is a Participant in one PESCO project (Greek-led Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance) and also has Observer status on a further nine PESCO projects including the Military Mobility Project which is led by the Netherlands.
Ireland supported the exceptional participation of Third States in PESCO projects during discussions on the topic which were finalised with agreement reached during the German Presidency of the EU. On 5 November 2020, the Council adopted decision (CFSP) 2020/1639 establishing the general conditions under which third states could exceptionally be invited to participate in individual PESCO projects.
Earlier this year, the United States, Canada and Norway became the first Third States to seek participation in a PESCO project, when they submitted their requests for participation in the PESCO Military Mobility project. The Council and High Representative were subsequently notified by the project coordinator of the unanimous agreement of project members to invite the three countries to participate in the Military Mobility project.
On 6 May 2021, I attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council which met in Defence Ministers’ configuration in Brussels and the Council approved the participation of the United States, Canada and Norway in the Military Mobility PESCO project. It is expected that their expertise will contribute to the project and, with it, improve military mobility within and beyond the EU.
There is no plan to seek approval to a become a participant on the Military Mobility Project.
280. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Defence the details of the information his Department collates as per circular 20/2019 (details supplied); the date this report was issued; the location on his Departmental website on which it can be found; and the progress in relation to green procurement that has been made to date. [25427/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe procurement of goods, services and works in my Department and by the Defence Forces is carried out in accordance with public procurement policies and national and European laws. Procurement procedures are kept under constant review to ensure that they are line with best practice, guidance and the legal framework. This includes the incorporation of social clauses including environmental and green considerations into public procurement contracts where applicable.
Circular 20/2019 instructed all Departments including Defence to incorporate green considerations into the planning, process and reporting aspects of their respective procurement programs. The Defence Organisation has fully engaged with green procurement and wheresoever possible green procurement considerations are utilised as either selection or award criteria in procurement projects published to the market. In addition, public procurement contracts are reviewed on a case by case basis to ensure compliance with all applicable obligations in the fields of environmental law applying under national and EU law as well as various international conventions on environmental law matters.
Each relevant branch of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces supply such information which is collated and to date has been reported in the Annual Report by reference to energy consumption. The nature of the business of the Defence Organisation largely confines social and environmental considerations to environmental/climate change control inputs such as carbon footprint, recycling, renewables and biodegradables. Specific energy conservation measures have been put in place and the results are closely monitored. Examples of green procurement outputs include:
1. Ongoing solar PV rollout to eleven Defence Force locations which year on year have seen a 340% increase of renewably generated electricity.
2. Continued replacement of carbon fuelled vehicles with electric vehicles.
3. Further installation of heat pumps on Defence Force facilities.
The commitment by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to adapt and utilise green procurement with attendant social and environmental considerations remains steadfast. I am advised that the Defence Organisation has fully embraced green procurement in so far as procurement for defence operational purposes permits.
281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which adequate provision is being made for training opportunities throughout the Defence Forces in respect of the Permanent Defence Forces and the Reserves in line with international standards and requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25462/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of women in each branch of the Defence Forces; the extent to which these numbers have fluctuated or are likely to so do; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25463/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons by gender who have retired from the Army in the course of the past 12 months; the degree to which replacement has been effected; the number of persons recruited in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25476/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons by gender who have retired from the Naval Service in the course of the past 12 months; the degree to which replacement has been effected; the number of persons recruited in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25477/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra297. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons by gender who have retired from the Air Corps in the course of the past 12 months; the degree to which replacement has been effected; the number of persons recruited in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25478/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 295, 296 and 297 together.
It is Government policy to increase 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.
As of 31st March 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 8,524 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) personnel. Of this some 598 personnel or 7% were female, broken down as follows:
- Army: 493 female personnel
- Air Corps: 40 female personnel
- Naval Service: 65 female personnel
The following table details the number of personnel inducted and discharged, by Branch and gender, from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021.
|
Army Male |
Army Female |
Air Corps Male |
Air Corps Female |
Naval Service Male |
Naval Service Female |
|
|
Inductions |
415 |
33 |
53 |
6 |
88 |
9 |
|
Discharges |
421 |
27 |
44 |
3 |
79 |
4 |
Personnel discharge for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges. Discharges also include trainees who exited prior to completion of their initial training.
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015). In order to achieve this target, as well as a broad range of retention measures, there is significant on-going recruitment.
283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which Naval Service and Air Corps services are augmented on an annual basis with particular reference to the extent to which the European Union relies on the Defence Forces here to provide coastal surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25464/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Naval Service continues to be augmented in order to meet any existing or emerging requirements on Ireland’s coasts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25466/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 285 together.
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 resources available to the Defence Forces to carry out their operational commitments are kept under constant review and future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process.
The allocation of €1.07 billion for the Defence Sector for 2021, an increase of over €32 million on 2020, emphasises the importance attached by the Government to Defence and will provide the Defence Forces with modern and essential equipment to fulfil all roles assigned by Government and the EU.
The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day role 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 it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks.
The Air Corps operate a fleet of fixed and rotary wing aircraft which provide military support to the Army and Naval Service, together with support for non-military air services such as Garda air support, air ambulance, fisheries protection and the Ministerial Air Transport Service.
I am satisfied the all branches off the Defence Forces remain adequately resourced to fulfil all roles as assigned by government. This includes the agility of all three services, Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, to adapt to the specific tasking on hand at any given time, whether that be fisheries protection, overseas deployment, EAS or Aid to the Civil Power. The multifaceted nature of the role of the Defence Forces in Irish life is an aspect of our Military that I am particularly proud of.
284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Air Corps continues to have available the necessary provisions to ensure an adequate search and rescue service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25465/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue (SAR) services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain. The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) fall under the remit of the Minister for Transport. From within the Defence Organisation, 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.
In terms of a the Air Corps' current role in the aviation aspect of SAR, at request of the Irish Coast Guard, services currently provided by the Air Corps to the Coast Guard on an “as available” basis include; search support in a number of settings including the potential to act as on-scene air Co-ordinator if required, island medevacs when the IRCG are unable to respond and maritime counter pollution patrolling & monitoring, among other taskings.
At present the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, are net contributors to Ireland's overall SAR effort and capabilities as and when requested by IRCG. As noted above, the provision of a marine aviation SAR service on a 24/7/365 basis is the responsibility of the Coast Guard.
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 their roles as assigned by Government.
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if a plan is in place to ensure the retention of personnel throughout the Naval Service; the degree to which the service has suffered in this regard in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25467/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if a plan is in place to ensure the retention of personnel throughout the Air Corps; the degree to which the service has suffered in this regard in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25468/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if a plan is in place to ensure the retention of personnel throughout the Army; the degree to which the service has suffered in this regard in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25469/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 286, 287 and 288 together.
The Government has fully acknowledged the recruitment and retention issues which have impacted operational capacity of the Defence Forces over recent years. In response, a range of actions have been progressed to address these issues.
The report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on retention and recruitment in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) contained a wide range of recommendations to address both retention and recruitment difficulties and these have been progressed through the High Level Implementation Plan "Strengthening Our Defence Forces".
A Service Commitment Scheme for pilots has had a stabilising effect on Air Corp pilot numbers, which have also increased as a result the introduction of a re-commissioning scheme.
A Naval Service Sea-going Service Commitment Scheme was introduced and a sea going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270 was applied in the 2020 tax year. This tax credit has been extended for a further year and is increased to €1,500 for the 2021 tax year.
The Defence Forces have also received the benefits of Public Service Pay Agreements with further increases available under the new Pay Agreement, should it be accepted by the Defence Forces Representative Associations. Work has also progressed on a broad range of non-pay measures in line with the PSPC recommendations as well as other initiatives.
I remain committed to restoring the capacity of the Defence Forces. Whilst there has been significant work undertaken to date, it will take time to see the full effect of the measures introduced.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which overseas deployment of Irish troops have been indicated or are expected in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25470/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 10 May 2021, Ireland is contributing 561 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 338 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 133 personnel.
The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment and the Government recently approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNIFIL to May 2022. Irish troops are currently serving as part of a joint Irish-Polish Battalion in UNIFIL.
In relation to UNDOF, Defence Forces personnel are currently based in Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation. On 12 June 2020, the Government approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNDOF for a 12 month period up to June 2021.
Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with 20 personnel; MINUSMA, the UN authorised operation in Mali with 14 personnel; the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in Israel and Syria with 12 personnel; the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with two (2) personnel; the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) with three (3) personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with four (4) personnel; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 13 personnel and the EU Naval mission (Operation Irini) with three (3) 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.
Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis.
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he expects to be in a position to deal with the issues that have caused concern in the Defence Forces over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25472/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning Defence that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme including;
- The establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces.
- Support for the establishment of centres for retired members of the Defence Forces.
- Development of a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training in the Curragh.
- To ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do.
- Amend the Organisation of Working Time Act, bringing the Defence Forces within the scope of its provisions.
The establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces underpins the Government's commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision beyond 2030.
Areas to be covered by the Commission on the Defence Forces include; Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea; structure and size of the Defence Forces encompassing capabilities, structures and staffing; appropriate governance and high level command and control; pay and allowances structures; recruitment, retention and career progression and leveraging the capabilities of the Reserve Defence Force.
- This independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Commission’s overall approach will be guided and informed by both the White Paper on Defence 2015 and the White Paper Update 2019. As part of a broader consultation process, the Commission invited submissions from individuals and organisations on issues relevant to its Terms of Reference. The Commission received over 500 submissions which they are currently analysing.
- The members of the Commission have been carefully chosen to ensure the optimum range of expertise in key areas. The Commission is chaired by Aidan O'Driscoll, a former Secretary General in two Government Departments. He is joined by 14 other members with national and international expertise across a range of disciplines. The Commission has engaged with stakeholders including the Representative Associations, Officer and Enlisted ranks in the Defence Forces and other relevant groups and have visited Defence installations to meet Defence Force members directly with more visits scheduled for the Summer.
Following the work of the Commission the Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a Permanent Pay Review body for the Defence Forces which must be consistent with national public sector wage policy. The Commission is to submit their report by the end of the year and it will be considered fully at that time.
This work will continue alongside the on-going work of White Paper implementation projects, the High Level Implementation Plan arising from the Public Service Pay Commission Report on the Defence Forces, the Equipment Development Plan and the Infrastructure Development plan, both five year rolling plans published last year, and all the other work being undertaken by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to ensure the Defence Organisation can fulfil all roles as set out by Government.
292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions to be filled in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25473/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below outlines total number of vacancies that existed in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31st March 2021, the latest date for which such information is available, broken down into the three Branches:
|
Total |
Army |
Naval Service |
Air Corps |
|
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
2 |
4 |
- |
- |
|
Commandant |
- |
11 |
- |
- |
|
Captain |
92 |
49 |
21 |
22 |
|
Lieutenant |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
|
Sergeant Major |
4 |
- |
1 |
3 |
|
Company Sergeant |
15 |
6 |
- |
9 |
|
Company Quartermaster Sergeant |
8 |
7 |
1 |
- |
|
Sergeant |
258 |
146 |
78 |
34 |
|
Corporal |
347 |
239 |
54 |
54 |
Vacancies are filled on an ongoing basis in line with promotional arrangements and, in certain cases, direct entry competitions.
It is normal, at a particular point in time, for some Branches and ranks to be oversubscribed and others to be undersubscribed. For example, whilst there are 11 vacancies at the rank of Commandant in the Army on the date in question, the rank of Commandant is oversubscribed by 3 in the Air Corp and by 8 in the Naval Service on the same date. Similarly, whilst there are vacancies at the rank of Captain, there are currently substantially more Lieutenants than are provided for in the establishment and the overall number of Officers exceeds the establishment figure.
293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the upgrading and or replacing of military equipment is expected to take place within the Army in the course of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25474/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments.
The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects which will be progressed over five years. This plan builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that our Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas. The current position regarding the major equipment platform projects is as follows.
The mid-life upgrade of the Army’s fleet of 80 General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles is well underway. This programme is on-going and continues to command significant resources and commitment of effort. The vehicle, which is the backbone of Defence Forces armoured capability, has been well proven in all its roles since the first vehicles were introduced in 2001. By end-2020, some 47 vehicles have been upgraded including modernisation of protection systems and weapons. The overall programme is due to be completed by 2023. In addition, an order for 28 Armoured Utility Vehicles AUVs was recently placed with Centigon, a French company, and these will provide a level of protected mobility between the levels of soft-skinned light transport and heavier armoured vehicles. Delivery of these vehicles is expected to complete in 2021.
With regard to Defence Forces communications systems, there is continued investment in the development of suitable network enabled communications in order to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex operational environment. In July of 2020 a tender competition was commenced for the supply of Software Defined Radios to the Defence Forces and the competition is currently underway. The scope of the project consists of two main requirements; Personal Soldier Radios and Multi-Band Handheld, Manpack, Vehicular and Airborne radios. Given the complexity of the requirements, the procurement process is on-going and is comprehensive in nature with the first radios not expected to enter service before 2023.
There is also continuous investment in the non-armoured vehicle fleet. In 2019, a contract was signed with Toyota Ireland for the replacement of the Army's fleet of 3/4 tonne 4X4 vehicles, the first of which entered service in early 2020. In March of last year, a tender process was completed for the supply of one hundred and twenty (120) new 4X4 Troop Carrying Vehicles, with the award of a contract to Westward Scania, based in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The first vehicles arrived in Mar-Apr of 2021 with delivery of all 120 vehicles concluding by 2023. Funding is provided on an on-going basis for the required maintenance of vehicles in the military transport fleet, both at home and overseas.
The examples given, whilst not exhaustive, demonstrate my commitment to update and upgrade the Defence Forces equipment and capability, within the financial envelope available. The National Development Plan provides for a total of €541 million for Defence over the period 2018-2022. Budget 2021 provides for a further increased gross allocation to €131m in the defence capital budget in respect of equipment and barracks infrastructure. This level of capital funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper and builds on the significant investment programme over recent years.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them which is in line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
