Search the record

complacency at all. What is interesting, though, is that we are seeing through the application process very significant interest in joining the Defence Forces, and that is to be welcomed. As of 9 April of this year, as I said earlier today, we have seen 7,545 whole … time equivalent personnel in the Defence Forces. That is 6,074 in our Army, 726 in our Air Corps and 745 in our Naval Service. We need to continue to build on this. I am pleased to say that we had 708 people inducted into the Permanent Defence

thank the Tánaiste for his further response. I genuinely believe that if we had a stronger Reserve Defence Forces, it would be a great conduit for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force. I represented two Border constituencies during many bad years on this island. I saw the importance … Reserve Defence Forces along the Border working in the communities that I have the privilege of representing and living in. Over the years the Reserve Defence Forces recruited many young people who may have been vulnerable to other unsavoury groups. Many of those young people went

Government because so much else of what we want to do, in terms of the national security space, the capability of the Defence Forces and the infrastructure we want to purchase and secure, relies on having men and women to operate and operationalise much of that. Figures provided … quite a number of years where we saw modest growth but we certainly saw a stabilisation in the number of people in the Defence Forces. There were 708 personnel inducted into the Defence Forces in 2024 and this is the highest number in over five years. The current

what they do. The Deputy will have seen my recent announcement confirming the introduction of a payment to officer instructors in the Defence Forces. Over recent months, my Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, with a view to recognising the upskilling … priority for any government. It is our most solemn obligation. In that context, this Government has committed to strengthening our Defence Forces. Of course, to strengthen the Defence Forces, we rely heavily on the expertise and experience of instructors, who deliver high-quality training programmes to new recruits

agree with the Deputy about recruitment and retention. We can have all the investment plans, and we need to in the Defence Forces, but the men and women in the Defence Forces constitute its most important resource. Given that this is a country with full employment and very … skilled individuals work in the Defence Forces, how we recruit in the first instance and then crucially retain them is a very fair question raised by the Deputy. My Department has one service commitment scheme in place in respect of Air Corps pilots and these matters are always

that. The point the Deputy makes is a fair one. We are seeing an increase, thankfully, in the number of people joining the Defence Forces. We want to see a greater increase in diversity within the Defence Forces, and most particularly in terms of female participation … pleased to say that already a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. This includes the establishment by the Defence Forces of a female-specific recruitment team which co-ordinates attendance of tri-service female-specific recruiting

propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 165 together. I can advise the Deputies that the Defence Forces have established a new joint cyberdefence command. This new command will be able to conduct full spectrum operations to robustly defend against cyberthreats and support Defence Forces operations at home … resilience and contingent capabilities. Deputy Heneghan is right that this is a real and growing issue. Following the establishment of this unit, the Defence Forces cyberdefence strategy for 2024 to 2027 was published last year. This strategy sets out a road map to ensure our Defence Forces achieve

fully agree with the Deputy. When we talk about the Defence Forces, we need to talk about the total number of men and women who are available to come to the aid of the State, if and when that is required. Of course, an important component of that … Permanent Defence Force but it is also important that there is inter-locking between that and the Reserve Defence Forces' men and women who can be called up and can assist in ways as the need arises. I have had good meetings in recent weeks with the representative

difference between an independent Ireland and an Ireland under the British? It is that we can protect ourselves. We should have Defence Forces that can protect this island, ward off cyber threats and protect our economic security and our peace. We will not be joining NATO … right to do so, but it would be welcome to hear Deputies recognising and commending the involvement of members of the Irish Defence Forces in Operation IRINI when comments like this are made. Members of our Defence Forces are contributing to this effectively humanitarian operation to prevent arms

checking the tenses in my answer, and my answer tells me the Defence Forces have established a new joint cyberdefence command. The truth is in what I said. We have seen the assignment of 19 Defence Forces specialist posts to kick-start the unit and it is headed … have a clear understanding of what the universities are doing. There generally is good collaboration but I might look specifically at having Defence Forces third level engagement with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and the relevant universities on this. Deputy Heneghan asked more broadly, beyond the Defence Forces

significantly increasing funding for defence and supporting the Air Corps, the Naval Service and Defence Forces more broadly. Indeed, funding for defence has increased by 30% since 2020 to a record level. It will increase again in the review of the national development plan shortly. We are back … major investment. Deputy Doherty is right, however. It is no surprise to anyone that there are pinch points in parts of our Defence Forces, particularly in the context of particular skills and challenges in the retention of air traffic controllers. We are working with the Defence Forces

iontach le cloisteáil go bhfuil an obair sin á déanamh aige. It is great to see the Tánaiste is working collaboratively with the Defence Forces to establish this new unit but we need to see our Defence Forces equipped, trained and empowered to meet these real threats … which, DCU, I just left. They are developing new courses but to develop the talent in our population to work in these new Defence Forces offices we need to introduce new courses which are constantly evolving. As happened when the HSE was hacked, I ask the Minister

Defence Forces face challenges. If anybody is going to be decoupling the issues of pay and recruitment, it certainly will not be me. It is very much the case that they are linked. The point I am raising relates to the retention of existing staff and not recruiting … explosive ordnance disposal officers. The cyber, tech, IT and pharmaceutical sectors are seeing staff members being trained by the State and the Defence Forces and understand the benefits of recruiting them. There is not enough in the Defence Forces to keep those personnel. These schemes have been used

Gormanston Camp in County Meath. As I know the Deputy will be aware, this training installation has now been designated as the Defence Forces’ Joint Induction Training Centre. Its function is to accommodate the induction training of all future recruits into the Defence Forces. In February of this … accommodation block with capacity for 100 people. All of the projects I have mentioned are part of and are included in the Defence Forces infrastructure development plan, which sets out a programme of project delivery up to 2027. The capital allocation for building works in military installations

thank the Deputy for raising this issue. When we look back at the Commission on the Defence Forces and everything else, radar and sonar are two key areas on which we must move. The Deputy and I can largely agree on that point. These are no-brainers … skies and seas. We need that capability. It is a key priority for me to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed in line with the decision the Government has already made to move to level of ambition 2, as defined

suggested. I am not in any way naive. While I can point to figures that show marginal improvements in the numbers of Defence Forces personnel, I am also aware we are nowhere near the established numbers we need. That marginal improvement provides a degree of false comfort … some of the specialties where we need to continue to recruit and, crucially, as the Deputy said, retain in the Defence Forces. As he referenced, there is the new service commitment scheme. I am always open to exploring options to continue to drive recruitment and, particularly, retention

does. I have family members directly involved in the service. I was pleased to see the significant increase in funding provided to the Defence Forces in the last budget. I particularly welcome the Commission on the Defence Forces' recommendation of an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement

know it will. Trying to bring this issue to a resolution that works is important. The ultimate priority for me and for the Defence Forces is the protection of the health and well-being of members of the Defence Forces in carrying out its essential service

four big issues and if there is anything we can glean further from that. I have asked the Chief of Staff and the Defence Forces to prepare for when I bring the updated implementation plan on the Commission on the Defence Forces to the Cabinet later this year

national security the arms industry. We are going to need to procure radar, sonar and uniforms for the men and women of the Defence Forces. The Deputy may disagree but the Government is clear that we are going to level of ambition … Commission on the Defence Forces report. We then want to go to level of ambition 3. That is going to require spending money and Irish companies should be in a position to benefit. That is all it is about. We do not publish the minutes of every meeting

have achieved a significant amount to further enhance the protection of employees. Most recently, in January, the European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Defence Forces) Regulations 2025 were signed into law. These important regulations provide that the statutory protection of the Organisation of Working Time … applied to members of the Defence Forces. The Employment Permits Act 2024 introduced significant changes to the employment permit systems in Ireland, including the introduction of a new seasonal employment permit. This is a short-term permit that will allow non-EEA nationals to work in seasonal employment

work was done, much of it by my predecessor, the Taoiseach, in terms of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. That was a very helpful and important piece of infrastructure. What we do not need to do, however, is every time we try to spend … jigsaw and is interlinked; if people start to see more investment, increased capability, more operations and the likes, it makes the Defence Forces more attractive. The reverse is also true. We need to get all the pieces of the jigsaw together

suite of employment rights and protections. Another important development took place in January this year when the European Communities Organisation of Working Time (Defence Forces) Regulations 2025 was signed into law. These important regulations provide for the statutory protection of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which … applies to members of the Defence Forces. In 2024, the Employment Permits Act 2024 introduced significant changes, including the introduction of a new seasonal employment permit. This is a short-term permit which will allow non-EEA nationals to work in seasonal employment for up to seven months

minimum wage increased from €10.10 to €13.50, which is an increase of more than one third. The European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Defence Forces) Regulations 2025 were signed into law a few months ago. These regulations provide the statutory protection of the Organisation of Working Time … ensure that it is now applied to the Defence Forces. Ireland will, as mentioned, develop an action plan to promote collective bargaining, which, under the EU directive on adequate minimum wages, must be submitted to the European Commission by November of this year. Statutory sick leave was introduced

recruitment process, including a nationwide programme for transition year and third level students and better representation of women at all levels of the Defence Forces. Are there particular measures being implemented this year to implement those commitments? Also, there is a commitment to examine incentives and structural changes … candidates and to encourage existing personnel to extend their military careers. Far too often, I have seen very young people leave the Defence Forces with the ludicrous situation a few years ago where some people had to leave after 20 years' service. There were young women

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence following his recent comments regarding recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces and his commitment to optimising and making necessary changes to the process, if his Department have reviewed the work of the Study Group on Defence … Forces Standards of Colour Deficiency; if his Department has engaged with the Defence Forces with the aim of implementing recommendations made; and if so, for an update on this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27159/25

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount the Defence Forces spent on replacement of musical instruments for the Defence Forces school of music in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form; the name of the company that was awarded the contract

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces general service body armour (GSBA) that is currently in service throughout the Defence Forces, including in overseas missions, was first issued to members in 2006; if, given that these systems degrade overtime, and trials

Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the policy of the Defence Forces regarding the recruitment of people with autism and ADHD to the permanent and reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25173/25

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence following the conclusion of the Study Group on Defence Forces Standards of Colour Deficiency’s work, if the recommendations made have been considered by relevant personnel in the Defence Forces; if they have considered a pass

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the Israeli Defence Forces opening fire while Irish diplomats were present in the Jenin refugee camp; the steps he will take to ensure the safety of Irish diplomats from the Israeli defence

Defence if he will report on progress in enhancing our capacity to respond to climate-related emergencies, including through the role of the Defence Forces in civil defence and disaster response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18130/25

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the initiatives the Government is pursuing to address the challenges of recruitment and retention within the Defence Forces; and if, from his time at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, he has considered how education … defence can be linked to make the armed forces even more attractive to young people. [18002/25

Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will increase the maximum age to join the reserve Defence Forces to 43; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28555/25

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the policy of the Defence Forces relative to granting transfers on compassionate grounds where a member has an immediate requirement to be stationed close to home for family reasons; the number of such applications being processed currently

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the ages of horsebox vehicles currently in use by Defence Forces equitation school; if funding is available in 2025 for the purchase of additional horsebox vehicles. [25356/25

amend the public sector single pension scheme introduced in 2013 to reinstate the supplementary pension for members of uniformed services such as firefighters, Defence Forces personnel and members of An Garda Síochána, in recognition of the shortened career span and the inability of many to work beyond early

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces are carrying out exercises in the St. Bridget’s Campus, Ballinasloe; if so, the reason residents were not notified as there was loud noises during the night; and if he will make a statement

Defence to provide an overview on the recent acquisition of Airbus H145M helicopters and the capabilities he expects them to provide to the Defence Forces. [23731/25

Defence the progress that has been made in implementing the long service increments, contained in the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24313/25

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will consider the introduction of service commitment schemes to retain key specialist functions within the Defence Forces and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18075/25

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to radically restructure Defence Forces recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17594/25

Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the professional instructor payment will be paid to commissioned officer instructors in the Defence Forces, as committed to by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17824/25

Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department's plans this year for funding, resourcing, recruitment and retention at the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16861/25

McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the current recruitment and retention challenges facing the Defence Forces; the measures being taken to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17650/25

regarding the establishment of a joint cybersecurity command and other actions related to cybersecurity contained in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [18071/25

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the removal of the triple lock will pave the way for greater Defence Forces participation in EU-led military missions. [17269/25

Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views as to the most positive steps that could be taken to ensure the Defence Forces are funded, equipped, and supported in the face of evolving global security steps. [18001/25

Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on recruitment to the Defence Forces across the Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17829/25

light of storm Éowyn, there are plans to enhance emergency response capabilities in the west of Ireland through greater collaboration between the Defence Forces and other agencies. [17268/25