Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
158. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount that will be expended on a third party contract to maintain Naval Service vessels; his proposals to ensure that the Naval Service has an adequate complement of expertise that such a contract is not necessary in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14964/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current maintenance arrangements regarding the LÉ Niamh and LÉ Róisín; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14965/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount paid to third parties in relation to maintenance of the naval fleet in the years 2010 to date, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14972/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 to 160, inclusive, together.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government.
The day-to-day maintenance of Naval Service vessels is managed by the Naval Service. There is a programme of continuous planned and preventative maintenance to ensure that all Naval Service vessels are kept in a seaworthy condition.
In 2023, a five year contract was awarded to the original equipment manufacturer for the provision of engine maintenance services for the P60 class vessels, which includes the provision of remote monitoring of these ships entire propulsion systems, provision of service specific spare and consumable parts, operator and maintainer training and 24/7 remote operational support. This comprehensive optimised maintenance agreement will streamline maintenance procedures and reduce unplanned downtime, optimising vessel availability. Details of this contract are commercially sensitive. However, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, details of payments over €20,000 that are made by the Department of Defence are published on a quarterly basis on the Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/collection/b61276-purchase-orders-over-20000/.
In addition to routine maintenance, it is normal practice in a ship's life to carry out a mid life refurbishment programme so as to extend the useful life of a ship to thirty or more years. A Mid Life Extension Programme is underway in respect of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Niamh and LÉ Róisín. Work on LÉ Niamh is ongoing and is scheduled for completion later this year. The refit programme for LÉ Róisín has been completed, and that vessel is currently in operational reserve with a small core crew responsible for day to day maintenance.
There are a number of initiatives currently underway to counter ongoing staffing challenges in the Naval Service, including:
• A new Patrol Duty allowance, introduced 1 January 2024, replaces the previous Patrol Duty Allowance and Sea Going Allowance. It will be payable to all personnel serving aboard a ship on duty and will see the doubling of the Patrol Duty Allowance after ten days at sea in a calendar year. For enlisted personnel this will result in an increase in the allowance paid from €64.27 per day to €128.54 per day; for officers there will be an increase from €64.67 per day to 129.24 per day.
• There has been a Naval Service specific recruitment campaign, phase 3 of a Naval Service recruitment advertisement was launched recently.
• There is ongoing recruitment of general service recruits and specialists.
• Psychometric testing for Naval Service General Service recruitment was paused in 2023, on a pilot basis, for six months. The Defence Forces have advised that a pause of a further 6 months is warranted to allow for a fair determination on whether the pause was positive or negative.
• In an effort to remove all potential obstacles to recruiting and retaining personnel, the Government has increased the maximum retirement age for Permanent Defence Force personnel to 60. This has facilitated an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles with a current recruitment age below 39 years. The measure took effect from 29 March 2024 and will apply to General Service Recruits, Cadets, and certain specialists.
• A further increase in the retirement age to 62 years will be made when relevant enabling primary legislation is introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
• In 2023, the Department engaged external specialist recruitment expertise to re-evaluate the Defence Forces current recruitment methods. Given the particular and critical issues presenting in the Naval Service, it concentrated its initial efforts there. The resulting recommendations will be progressed.
• A sea going naval personnel tax credit has been further extended into the 2024 tax year.
• There has also been significant progress on pay. Current pay rates, including Military Service Allowance, for the ranks of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman, in their first three years of service start at €38,016 in Year 1, rising to €39,413 in Year 2, and €40,700 in Year 3 of service.
• A graduate cadet on commissioning starts on a payscale, which includes Military Service Allowance from €47,245 depending on the type of appointment. A school leaver cadet starts at €41,962 whilst in full-time third level education.
• Defence Force personnel are also paid a range of allowances for specific duties carried out, on an ongoing basis in addition to basic pay and Military Service Allowance. In instances where members of the Defence Forces acquire technical qualifications and/or fill associated appointments, there is also additional and associated technical pay.
• The new National Pay Deal (Public Service Agreement) will adjust all public services salaries by a further 2.25% from 1 January 2024.
I am satisfied that these measures together with those outlined in the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces will ensure the Naval Service is equipped and staffed appropriately in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
The detailed information requested by the Deputy concerning the amount paid to third parties in relation to maintenance of the naval fleet in the years 2010 to date is not readily to hand. This information is being collated by the Military authorities and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
