Pauline Tully
Ceist:259. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has plans to invite his French counterpart (details supplied) to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5290/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficial Engagements
Ceisteanna (259)
Freagraí scríofa
Having only recently been appointed as Minister for Defence, I haven't yet had the opportunity to meet my French counterpart, the Minister of the Armed Forces
However, I will be attending an informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in early March in Stockholm, hosted by the Swedish Presidency. On 20 March, I will attend a combined meeting of EU Defence and Foreign Ministers in Brussels.
I am very anxious to engage bilaterally with as many of my colleagues as possible to ensure that Ireland's interests and concerns in the evolution of the EU's Common Security & Defence Policy are well understood. I intend to use the margins of such ministerial meetings to schedule a number of these bilateral engagements. I will also take the opportunity of bilateral visits to meet my defence counterparts.
There are already strong contacts between Ireland and France at the level of our respective ministries and our militaries and I am anxious to see that continuing. In that regard and given the broader relationship between Ireland and France, as our nearest EU neighbour, I am keen to arrange an early meeting with my French counterpart and I hope that it can be arranged as soon as possible.
Defence Forces
Ceisteanna (260, 272)
Michael McNamara
Ceist:260. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if a survey of disused properties belonging to the Defence Forces has been undertaken, with a view to their repurposing as accommodation for refugees or those seeking asylum in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5310/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if obsolete or disused military installations can be utilised to cater for refugees or people who are homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5496/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 272 together. The provision of accommodation for homeless persons is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. I am advised that my Department has previously submitted returns to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, in accordance with their suitability criteria, on property holdings which could be considered for the provision of accommodation for those persons seeking refuge from the war in the Ukraine.
At present the following current and former military installations have been made available for the purposes of accommodating those seeking refuge:
- Kilbride Camp, Co. Wicklow
- Ballymullen Barracks, Kerry
- former Columb Barracks, Westmeath
- Gormanston Training Centre, Meath
Defence Forces
Ceisteanna (261)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the portions of the report of the Defence Forces that have been implemented or are in the course thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5485/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. It recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken over a period of 5 months by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Following this engagement, a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government were brought to Government and approved on July 12th 2022.
This involved the approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission. The Budget for 2023 included an increase of €67m over the 2022 budget for Defence. This includes an almost 25% increase in Capital funding and demonstrates 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 threats.
The move to LOA2 will require an additional 2,000 personnel (civil and military) over and above the current establishment of 9,500. Work has already commenced on this with the recently announced recruitment campaign, ‘BE MORE’.
Some specific initiatives include the immediate commencement of planning for military radar capabilities, including primary radar and the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs with the priority objective of developing a regeneration plan for the Reserve Defence Force.
The High Level Action Plan set out initial implementation and oversight structures. An Implementation Oversight Group has been established which met for the first time on the 3rd of October. Subsequently, Ms. Julie Sinnamon was appointed as the Independent Chair of the Implementation Oversight Group with a second meeting taking place on the 17th of November and a third meeting taking place on the 27th of January. A High-Level Steering Board has been established, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, to oversee the implementation. A civil/military Implementation Management Office (IMO) has been established to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme required to implement recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The initial focus of the IMO is the implementation of the 38 early actions as set out in the High Level Action Plan and the development of an Implementation Plan. Reporting mechanisms have been established to facilitate regular progress reports on the early actions to the IMO and the civil/military Strategic Management Committee.
Government noted that, in light of the Commission’s report, there is an urgent need for HR and cultural transformation in the Defence Forces and this will be prioritised. The High Level Action Plan identifies the recruitment, through an open process, for the new senior-level civilian positions of Head of Transformation and Head of Strategic HR for the Defence Forces as early actions required to progress this transformation.
The High Level Action Plan set out a total of 38 early actions to be completed within 6 months of the Government decision. To date approximately two thirds of these 38 early actions have been achieved, including:
- Head of Transformation and Head of Strategic HR positions advertised externally and progressed;
- Implementation and governance structures developed and initiated including the establishment of an Implementation Oversight Group with an independent chair (Ms. Julie Sinnamon appointed);
- Removing the requirement for a 3 Star Private/Able Seaman to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank;
- Ensuring that all personnel of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman rank are paid the full rate of MSA applicable to the rank;
- Recruitment and induction strategies developed encompassing advertising, expanded recruitment and induction capacity;
Progress has been made on the remaining early actions, with most currently at an advanced stage and due to be completed shortly including: the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs; the commencement of Army force design planning and the establishment of a Capability Development planning process and permanent structure. I intend to publish a comprehensive written update on all 38 early actions in the coming weeks.
One of the key early actions is the development of a Detailed Implementation Plan, which is also at an advanced stage. This Detailed Implementation Plan will clearly set out the work that is to be progressed in implementing the Commission recommendations in full. It is a priority for me that this plan is both ambitious and credible and supports the transformation of the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. My focus is ensuring that we get this plan right to support the transformation of the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland.
Defence Forces
Ceisteanna (262)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which gender-based abuse has been fully eradicated at all levels of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5486/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by Government, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces as well as the prevailing workplace culture.
I wish to commend the courage of serving members, the Women of Honour group and the Men and Women of Honour group, who have shared their experiences of unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces. It was clear that there was a very critical and immediate need to address the prevailing work culture, including issues relating to the current systems, policies and procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces.
The primary objective of all concerned, at the outset, was to acknowledge issues in the current workplace and to establish a course of action that would address that. The Independent Review Group has undertaken this work in the past 12 months. Many stakeholders, including serving members, have lent their support to the Independent Review Group.
In accordance with the Terms of Reference, the Group will provide a Final Report with their findings to me within a year. I understand the Group are nearing the conclusion on the report and it will be submitted to me later this week which I will consider in full, in consultation with the Attorney General. I wish to reiterate that the Final Report will be brought to Government, before being published.
The government has have at all times been very clear that it would await this comprehensive report and that any further body of work required was not being ruled out.
I don't wish to pre-empt the recommendations in the Report, but it is my intention to ensure they are all fulfilled. In November 2021, the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy convened the Organisational Culture Standing Committee (OCSC) to drive and coordinate the process of cultural change within the Defence Forces.
The OCSC will provide appropriate military support to the Independent Review and establish a cultural change programme.
The Deputy will also be aware that interim support measures are available for members of the Defence Forces impacted by unacceptable behaviour in the workplace.
The appointment of a Confidential Contact Person (CCP) within Raisecaconcern, is available to assist both serving and former members of the Defence Forces and provides a safe place to support the reporting of alleged wrongdoing in the workplace.
The Confidential Contact Person is independent and outside of the chain of command and their role is listen to the caller, assist them in documenting their allegations, and provide guidance on follow-on options.
In addition, the INSPIRE confidential helpline, which is available on a 24/7 basis for all serving members of the Defence Forces, has also been made available to anyone who has contacted the Confidential Contact Person.
The Personnel Support Service (PSS) in the Defence Forces assists members and their immediate family with the provision of information and advice on areas including stress management, counselling and referral options.
In conclusion, I wish to assure the Deputy of my am full commitment to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment underpinned by dignity and equality and by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. That is an absolute priority.
Defence Forces
Ceisteanna (263, 264, 265, 266)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which the strength of the Defence Forces is being monitored, with a view to ensuring optimum levels throughout the entire structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5487/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made in increasing the strength of the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5488/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made in increasing the strength of the Air Corps, with particular reference to the need for increased capacity in surveillance, coastal and otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5489/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made in increasing the strength of the Navy, with particular reference to the need for increased capacity in surveillance, coastal and otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5490/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 263, 264, 265 and 266 together.
As at 31 December 2022, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was 7,987 personnel comprised of 6,478 Army personnel, 800 Naval Service personnel and 709 Air Corps personnel. This equates to some 84% of the current PDF establishment strength of 9,500.
My immediate focus is now on stabilising the staffing situation in the Defence Forces, and thereafter in bringing its strength to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. While there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives currently underway aimed at countering ongoing staffing challenges, the Defence Forces are also developing further strategies in this regard.
Notwithstanding staffing challenges, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including surveillance patrols to protect specific fisheries and security operations with aerial assistance in patrolling the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone provided by the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron.
The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. Furthermore, 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.
Question No. 264 answered with Question No. 263.
Question No. 265 answered with Question No. 263.
Question No. 266 answered with Question No. 263.
Question No. 267 answered with Question No. 257.
Military Neutrality
Ceisteanna (268)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the degree to which military equipment is being upgraded in line with international standards and capabilities, given the necessity to identify and recognise potential threats notwithstanding this country’s neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5492/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.
In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.
Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. A five year Equipment Development Plan for continued re-equipment was developed on a civil military basis and was published in June 2020. The Equipment Planning process recognises the need to maintain and upgrade military capabilities having regard to emerging priorities, operational requirements and changes in technology. This is an ongoing iterative process.
There are a number of defensive equipment acquisition and upgrade projects for which there will be capital expenditure in the coming years. These include the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III Armoured Personnel Carrier vehicles which is well underway as well as the completion of the delivery of an additional 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles. In addition, the Army's non-armoured fleet continues to be updated..
In relation to air-based capability, in December, a contract was awarded at a cost of €68 million, including VAT, for the provision of a new Fixed Wing 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 is expected in 2025.
The programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is well underway with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. Alongside the recently acquired PC-12 aircraft some €344 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all of these enhanced capabilities.
The Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing and the programme includes radar and other equipment upgrades along with the replacement of Naval Service Reserve motor launches. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of LÉ Róisín has been completed, while works are ongoing on LÉ Niamh. Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of multi-role vessel to replace the flagship, LÉ Eithne, with work underway that will inform a public tender competition in due course. Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara and it is expected these vessels are expected to arrive in Ireland in Quarter 2 this year following the completion of a programme of works.
The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the national development plan of €566 million over the 2022 to 2025 timeframe. The Defence annual capital budget for 2023 is €176 million. The recent Budget for 2023 included an increase of €67m over the 2022 budget for Defence. This includes an almost 25% increase in Capital funding and demonstrates 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 threats.
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 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 the Report of the Commission, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.
Finally, allied to this, a key recommendation made by the Commission on the Defence Forces called for the immediate establishment of a top-down capability development planning process through the creation of a new permanent civil-military structure. This recommendation was accepted by Government last July. Since then, significant work to establish a new permanent civil-military Branch within my Department has been undertaken and the new Branch is now being established and will commence capability development work this year.
Defence Forces
Ceisteanna (269)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which various grievances arising from issues in the Defence Forces including pay and conditions, have been met or are in the course thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5493/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that, with its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, that the Government committed to a range of actions to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, covering a range of measures which will improve pay and conditions.
In 2022, the Department of Defence implemented two of the pay-related recommendations of the Report; namely, that all personnel of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman rank were paid the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank, while at the same time, the requirement for that cohort to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank was removed.
These measures resulted in the pay rates (incl. MSA) for Private 3 Star/Able Seamen, in their first three years of service, starting at €36,419 in Year 1, rising to €37,788 in Year 2, and €39,050 in Year 3. These compare very well to starting rates of pay across the public service.
Access to the Sea-going Service Commitment Scheme for personnel with one year’s service in the Naval Service was also delivered on (reduced from three years), as were extensions of the Naval Service Sea Going Commitment Scheme and the Naval Service Tax Credit, as well as extending service limits for Privates, Corporals and Sergeants.
Also, and specifically in terms of pay, the Deputy will be aware that the Defence Forces are paid increases in pay and allowances in line with Public Service pay agreements.
The most recent of these, the extension to the ‘Building Momentum’ pay agreement, ratified by the Defence sector Representative Associations last autumn, provided for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. This agreement provided for a 6.5 % increase over 2022 and 2023, including:
- 3%, backdated to 2nd Feb 2022
- 2 % on 1st March 2023
- 1.5% or €750, whichever is the greater, on 1st October 2023
Pensionable allowances in the nature of pay will also benefit.
The 3% increase back-dated to February 2022 was paid to all serving members of the Defence Forces members by 30 November 2022 last. Preparations are underway to pay the next tranche of 2%, due on 1st March 2023. Furthermore, the 1% increase backdated to 1 October 2022 (agreed under the original Building Momentum agreement) was also paid by 30 November 2022.
In addition to this, the implementation of the Sectoral Bargaining Fund element of the original Building Momentum Pay Agreement, in 2022, resulted in additional payments totalling €373,000 extra per annum - payments which will primarily benefit over 470 of the Defence Force’s lower paid members.
The implementation of the findings of the Technical Pay Groups 2-6 review, also in 2022, resulted in almost €1 million in additional technical pay to those covered by the Review by the year's end.
In addition to the general round increases arising out of ongoing national pay agreement, that I have referred to already, members of the Defence Forces have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in allowances, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission in 2019.
It is important also to note that for those Defence Forces personnel who have specialist appointments, based on training or qualifications, there are a range of additional allowances available to them.