Tuesday, 14 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 900-917

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (900)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

900. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the role that the Army has in the guarding of prisoners in Irish prisons; the number of prisoners who are guarded and their locations; the number of man-hours which are spent by the Army in guarding prisoners annually; the pay which soldiers receive for each hour guarding prisoners; the way that this compares with prison officer pay for each hour guarding prisoners; the allowances which are provided to soldiers for this work; and the way that this compares with prison officer allowances for guarding prisoners. [29051/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. 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 assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.

Defence Forces personnel acting in an armed Aid to the Civil Power role, deploy troops on the direction of the Government, in order to assist the Prison Service and An Garda Síochána. They provide 24/7, 365 days a year, security at Portlaoise Prison and for security reasons it would not be appropriate to disclose the details regarding the number of personnel assigned to each deployment.

Military personnel drawn from all Brigades are mobilised into a special unit for this purpose. Each unit's tour of duty normally lasts for about two months on a four days on, two days off rota basis. In addition to basic pay, prison duty allowance is paid to personnel of the Permanent Defence Force below the rank of Commandant engaged on security duties in Portlaoise prison. The current daily Prison Duty allowance is between €84.37 and €86.71 depending on rank.

Regardless of employment on the Prison Duties, DF personnel are still in receipt of their pay, which is a matter of public record. In addition a Military Service Allowance is paid to all ranks up to the level of Colonel, and is designed to compensate for the special disadvantages associated with military life. This includes unsocial hours of duty, exposure to danger and the restrictions inherent in military discipline.

There is also a separate on call Portlaoise Hospital Guard Allowance for Enlisted Personnel of €28.12 (weekday) and €56.22 (Sunday and DF Holiday), for escorting prisoners to medical appointments.

With regards to the number of prisoners in Portlaoise Prison, this is a matter for the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice has advised that prison officers pay is a matter of public record and that allowances are also paid for Additional Hours (AH) and for working anti-social hours and times such as night shifts, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holiday shifts. These allowances are not generally fixed rates allowances, but are based on a percentage of the officer’s hourly pay. Under the Additional Hours system, officers may be contracted to work up to 360 additional hours per annum. Officers serving in Portlaoise Prison would in general, be more experienced and longer serving officers and would therefore be at the top end of the prison officer pay scale.

The Commission on the Defence Forces, which was published on the 9 February 2022, included a recommendation “That an immediate focus be given to standing down a number of current Defence Forces’ ATCP taskings which no longer seem justified in the current security situation”. These recommendations are currently under consideraion by my Department along with in-depth discussion and inter-departmental consultation. The intent is that following relevant consultation, and before the summer recess, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (901)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

901. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the funds allocated to or the costs associated with the Commission on the Future of Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29096/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The establishment of the 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 for beyond 2030. As the Deputy will be aware, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published on the 9th February 2022.

The report is being fully considered, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders. The intent is that following relevant consideration, and before the summer recess, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan. This high level plan will set out proposed initial timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.

Total expenditure to date for the Commission is €454,708.82.

Interest Rates

Ceisteanna (902)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

902. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Defence the amount of interest that his Department has been charged by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29204/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

My Department operates a small number of bank accounts and, in accordance with public financial procedures, the amounts maintained in these accounts are kept to a minimum. Negative interest rates were first incurred by my Department in 2017, and the cost of negative interest charges incurred in respect of these accounts from 2017 to 2022 is outlined in the table below.

Negative interest charges for my Department have being falling since 2019 following the move to a centralised government banking service.

  Department of Defence Negative Interest Payments 2017 to 2022:

Year	Total
2017	€5,219.52
2018	€8,504.14
2019	€176.52
2020	€148.73
2021	Nil
2022	Nil

Interest Rates

Ceisteanna (903)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

903. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Defence the State agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of his Department or that receive funding from his Department that have been charged negative interest by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced; the amount of interest that has been charged to each State agency, organisation or board in 2021 in each of the preceding years in which such charges were applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29222/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

There are two State Boards that come under the aegis of the Department of Defence, namely the Army Pensions Board and the Defence Forces Canteen Board. Neither of these boards have incurred any negative interest charges since negative interest rates were first introduced.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (904)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

904. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence if any former Secretary Generals are seconded from his Department; the locations of same; the purpose of the secondment; the remuneration they are in receipt of from his Department or additional allocation to the agency or institution to which they are seconded arising from the secondment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29259/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

There are no former Secretaries General seconded from my Department.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (905)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

905. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if an exemption can be made in relation to a person (details supplied) due to the circumstances surrounding the unforeseen delays in the application process. [29448/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The information requested could not be readily ascertained in the timeframe set out for reply and I will revert once the information is available to me.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to the above mentioned Parliamentary Question. While it was not possible to provide the information requested within the given timeframe, I am now in a position to provide you with a response.

I can confirm that, in order to join the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) applicants must be 18 years of age or above and not more than 35 years of age on the date of enlistment. The Military Authorities have informed me that the person concerned submitted an application to join the RDF on 17 Apr 2020.

I understand that applications are submitted via the Candidate Manager online application software, which requires applicants to input Date of Birth and Age separately. In this case, the military authorities have advised the applicant selected his age as being 35 on the drop down menu for the Army Reserve General Service competition and his application was therefore submitted for further processing.

However, it was subsequently noticed that the date of birth listed by the applicant, 18 January 1984, indicated that he was 36 years of age at the time of application, which then deemed the application ineligible and excluded the applicant from further progress in the competition.

I trust this is of assistance to you.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (906, 907, 910, 911)

John Brady

Ceist:

906. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the maximum and current strength levels of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29655/22]

John Brady

Ceist:

907. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the maximum and current strength levels of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29656/22]

John Brady

Ceist:

910. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the current number of women in the Defence Forces by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29659/22]

John Brady

Ceist:

911. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the current number of women in the Defence Forces who are serving overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29660/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 906, 907, 910 and 911 together.

The following table details the requested current strength details, as at 30 April 2022, along with the corresponding establishment strength.

	Current Strength (WTE)	Establishment
Permanent Defence Force	8,297	9,500
Army	6,714	7,520
Air Corps	730	886
Naval Service	853	1,094

Of the 8,297 Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel, 586 were female. The requested breakdown of this female strength, by rank, is as follows:

OFFICER	LT GEN	MAJ GEN	BRIG GEN	COL	LT COL	COMDT	CAPT	LT
	0	0	1	1	2	59	50	52
OTHER RANKS	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGT	CPL	PTE	CADET
	0	0	5	8	67	104	232	5

As at 30 April 2022, there were 560 Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel serving overseas, of which 36 were female.

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation. In addition, in the context of the White Paper on Defence, a specific project is ongoing to conduct a survey to identify any impediments to the advancement of women in the Permanent Defence Force.

Furthermore, the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces included, inter alia, consideration of gender, recruitment and retention matters. Following relevant consultation, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan, which will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.

Question No. 907 answered with Question No. 906.

Air Corps

Ceisteanna (908)

John Brady

Ceist:

908. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the current total strength of Air Corps personnel; and if he will provide a breakdown of the number of qualified military pilots, cadet pilots in-training, qualified military aircraft maintenance technicians, qualified military avionics technicians and military apprentices in-training of both the Defence Forces and the Naval Service. [29657/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 9 June 2022, is 748 wholetime equivalent personnel.

The table below shows the strength by requested stream:

Personnel Stream	Strength as at 09/06/2022
Qualified pilots	97
Cadets currently completing military training*	6
Young officers in pilot training	15
Qualified Military Aircraft Technicians	166
Qualified Military Avionics Technicians	31
Apprentice Military Aircraft Technicians	66

*Cadets are scheduled to commence their Pilot Wings course once they graduate as Officers.

A Military Aircraft Technician (MAT) is an individual who has qualified from an Air Corps apprenticeship, or a direct entrant deemed to have the appropriate qualifications to work on aircraft in the various maintenance roles. Personnel in these roles cover the broad range of disciplines within the Air Corps e.g. avionics technicians, aircraft mechanics, crew leaders, and aircraft inspectors.

All MATs are employed in the maintenance of aircraft. At any one time, they may be employed in any of the broad range of maintenance disciplines, be in training, or serving overseas. The total number of qualified MATs is therefore inclusive of those who may be assigned to avionics duties, or any of the other disciplines, at any one time.

As outlined, there is a strong training pipeline for MATs consisting of 66 apprentices. Of these apprentices, all 66 are undergoing their qualification process and will, on successful completion, be streamed into rotary, fixed-wing or avionics technician categories. The military authorities advise that while there are other schemes conducted under the auspices of the national Generation Apprenticeship Scheme through SOLAS, in addition to other technical training schemes, the Air Corps Aircraft Technician scheme is the only Defence Forces scheme strictly defined as an apprenticeship.

My focus remains on retaining/restoring all branches of the Defence Forces to their full capacity. Furthermore, consideration of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces is ongoing. I intend to revert shortly to Government with a proposed response to those recommendations and a high-level action plan, which will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.

Naval Service

Ceisteanna (909)

John Brady

Ceist:

909. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service operations and patrols which have been cancelled to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29658/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

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. In terms of fishery protection the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary.

A range of factors including adverse weather conditions and unscheduled maintenance, as well as staffing issues can impact scheduled patrol days.

A total of 16 scheduled Naval Service patrol days have been cancelled up to 31 May 2022. All cancelled patrol days are due to COVID – 19 related personnel shortages.

Question No. 910 answered with Question No. 906.

Question No. 911 answered with Question No. 906.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (912)

John Brady

Ceist:

912. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of female members of the Defence Forces who have left to date in 2022, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29661/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The following table details the number of women members of the Permanent Defence Force who have left, by month, to the end of May 2022:

Month	Jan	Feb	March	April	May	Total
No. of Discharges	2	6	14	2	0	24

As the Deputy will appreciate, personnel leave the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) for a number of reasons including, on age grounds, at the end of contract and on voluntary discharge.

In that context, I have fully acknowledged the retention issues affecting both Officers and Enlisted Personnel. A range of actions have been taken to address these issues which includes the 15 projects undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC Report on Recruitment and Retention. Most of these projects have been completed, with others being considered in the context of wider public sector pay arrangements.

Complementing these retention measures, a number of recruitment initiatives are additionally playing a role in countering the current staffing challenges, which include re-entry schemes for former members of the PDF. In addition, in the context of the White Paper on Defence, a specific project examining barriers to the progression of women in the PDF is currently ongoing.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Commission on the Defence Forces report which was published in February 2022 proposes significant changes for the Defence Forces, including in relation to gender policies and gender representation. The report is being fully considered, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders and I will shortly revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan.

With the support of the Chief of Staff, I remain committed to maximising recruitment and retention of both men and women to maintain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and abroad.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (913)

John Brady

Ceist:

913. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29662/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF. The White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve and the Government remains fully committed to this.

The strength of the Reserve Defence Force, as of 30 April 2022, is set out below:

Service	Total Effective Personnel
Army Reserve	1371
Naval Reserve	113
First Line Reserve	272

The Deputy will be aware that the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, published last February, contains many detailed recommendations, including on the future structure and role of the RDF. 

There is a process underway to consider these recommendations in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and stakeholders. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. It would be inappropriate therefore, for me to pre-empt this deliberative process in advance of the Government's consideration.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (914)

John Brady

Ceist:

914. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the number of women in the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29663/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

It is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 30 April 2022, the effective female strength of the RDF is 194 members.    

In line with current policies and commitments, a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Defence Forces. For example:

- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general      recruitment framework, including a Female Recruitment Standing Committee reporting on initiatives for 2022, with dedicated female recruitment teams proposed. In addition, a female specific "Always on" (constant targeting of the female demographic) campaign commenced in October 2021. 

- The Defence Forces actively engage with schools to conduct career talks and regularly attend      events aimed at future career choices for schools. 

- A Gender Equality and Diversity Officer has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces are committed to gender equality and employ a gender perspective in the planning and execution of operations both at home and overseas and in all policies and regulations. Gender Advisors are available to all Brigades and Services and trained Gender Focal Points are deployed with all overseas units and ships in order to promote a gender perspective in operations. 

- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.

Over the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence, a number of projects will be progressed to ensure the development and promotion of strategies that continue to support increased female participation in the Defence Forces.

Initiatives in place to recruit individuals to the Reserve include supports provided to maximise RDF recruitment, including use of social media, promotion through the DF Press Office, outreach activities by RDF members, and the use of PDF exit interviews which contain information on applying to the RDF.  In addition, a number of measures to streamline the recruitment and induction process for the RDF are in train and it is hoped that they will yield a positive outcome.  

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.  

Finally, as the Deputy will be aware, the recently published Report from the Commission on the Defence Forces includes a number of recommendations relating to gender and diversity in the Defence Forces.   As the Deputy will appreciate, detailed consideration of all the recommendations is required. This involves significant inter-departmental consultation, and this is continuing. Following this engagement, I intend to return to Government with a proposed response to the Commission’s recommendations and a high-level action plan.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (915)

John Brady

Ceist:

915. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Reserve Defence Forces for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29664/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The combined effective strength of the AR and NSR, at year end, for the past five years is set out below:

Year	AR & NSR Effective Personnel (at   year end)
2021	1,489
2020	1,588
2019	1,673
2018	1,799
2017	1,856

 The strength of the First Line Reserve, at year end, for the same period is as follows:

Year	FLR Personnel (at year end)
2021	271
2020	262
2019	272
2018	288
2017	271

The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the RDF. I am very cognisant of the fact that the RDF strength level remains lower than the Establishment figure. However, I am aware of the many initiatives in place to recruit individuals to the Reserve. These include supports provided to maximise RDF recruitment, including use of social media, promotion through the DF Press Office, outreach activities by RDF members, and the use of PDF exit interviews which contain information on applying to the RDF. In addition, I'm advised by the Military Authorities that a number of measures to streamline recruitment and induction process for the RDF are in train and it is hoped that they will yield a positive outcome.

While the commitment to restoring the strength of the RDF is not in doubt, the same personnel and resources are utilised for both PDF and RDF recruitment. Given the competing recruitment demands at present, PDF recruitment is, and will remain a priority.  However, RDF recruitment will continue to be progressed to the greatest extent possible.

Heretofore, there was no provision in the Defence Acts to allow RDF personnel to be deployed overseas. However, the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 has been signed into law, which serves to update the Defence Legislation on the use of the RDF on a voluntary basis, on-island and overseas in support of the Permanent Defence Force.

The Deputy will be aware that the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, published last February, contains many detailed recommendations, including on the future structure and role of the RDF. There is a process underway to consider these recommendations in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and stakeholders. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. It would be inappropriate therefore, for me to pre-empt this deliberative process in advance of the Government's consideration.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (916)

John Brady

Ceist:

916. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the estimated cost of increasing the establishment figure of the Defence Forces by 2,000 to 11,000 personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29665/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The current establishment figure of the Defence Froces is 9,500. The Department does not maintain costings for increasing the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as outlined by the Deputy. This would require detailed consideration of the capability requirements underpinning such an increase and consideration of associated personnel issues, including organisational structures as well as equipment, infrastructure and other additional requirements and associated costs.

It should be noted that consideration of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces is ongoing. I intend to revert shortly to Government with a proposed response to those recommendations and a high-level action plan, which will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (917)

John Brady

Ceist:

917. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the current capital expenditure budget for the Defence Forces for 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29666/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The White Paper on Defence 2015, reinforced by the White Paper Update 2019, sets out the Government’s medium term policy for Defence. It is recognised that the principal demand drivers of Defence capital requirements are the ongoing renewal, retention and acquisition of military equipment along with the development and upgrade of Defence Forces built infrastructure.

The acquisition of military equipment is pursued through a comprehensive Equipment Development Plan which provides a consolidated, structured basis for investment in military equipment to maintain and develop necessary capabilities. Similarly, a Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Programme sets out the requirements for essential infrastructure development works over a medium term timeframe. These strategic frameworks combine to provide the basis for medium term equipment and infrastructural planning and investment requirements for the Defence Forces.

Capital funding allocations are framed by the annual estimates process and the multi-annual National Development Plan. The total capital allocation for Defence for the period in question is €822.2 million, as outlined in the table below.

Defence Capital Funding Allocation 2022-2025:

	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Defence Capital Funding Allocation	€125.2m	€131m	€141m	€141m	€142m	€142m

Many of the Defence Equipment projects are complex, multi-annual and have long lead-in times. The certainty of funding provided by the National Development Plan has enabled the Department and the Defence Forces to plan, prioritise and deliver scheduled projects.

Among the major Defence Equipment upgrade and replacement programmes set to be prioritised over the coming years are:

- The Land Forces Capability Development and Force Protection Programmes, including an upgrade of the military transport fleet and next generation radio communications and signal equipment;

- The ongoing Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme, which includes the mid-life refit of the P50 Class of Naval Vessel and the progression of the Multi Role Vessel project;

- The ongoing Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programme which includes the purchase of the C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

As the Deputy will be aware, the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was recently published. There is a process underway to consider the many detailed recommendations in that report. This necessarily requires widespread consultation. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me at this time to pre-empt an ongoing deliberative process.