Defence Forces

21. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on improvements to pay and conditions for members of the Permanent Defence Force arising from the €485 million allocation for defence pay in budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60415/25]

23. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on his Department and the Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2025–2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60433/25]

25. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made in all the investigations into the death of a Defence Forces member who was killed on duty in the Lebanon (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60412/25]

26. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to improve gender balance in Defence Forces recruitment, given that only 5% of new recruits in 2024 were women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60489/25]

28. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the capital works projects currently under way at Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny; the estimated cost of each of these projects; when each project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60259/25]

29. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress being made to update the Army Pensions Act 1923 following the case of a person (details supplied); if interim solutions are being considered for the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60411/25]

32. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will ensure that the Defence Forces and his Department adhere to their responsibility of providing balancing statements for Defence Forces personnel on an annual basis, in line with signed agreements and Ombudsman for the Defence Forces recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60382/25]

34. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps his Department is taking to improve pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces. [60260/25]

36. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the improvements the revised NDP will mean for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60434/25]

38. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the matter of entry level cadet pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60437/25]

40. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces’ personnel serving overseas at present; if the number is anticipated to change over the next 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60379/25]

41. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to increase officer cadet pay above the minimum wage, and to a level of at least that of all other inductees in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60384/25]

44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the present enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force; the proposals to increase recruitment and improve retention levels in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60410/25]

45. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the number of personnel required to meet Level of Ambition 2; the current number of personnel; and his target for recruitment each year under this Government. [60465/25]

51. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the gender balance of the latest recruits to the Defence Forces cadet programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60422/25]

56. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the Government will commit to increasing pay for defence force cadets, who are currently paid below minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60492/25]

60. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures he is taking to improve retention levels in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60417/25]

61. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the issue of pension entitlements for personnel who joined the Defence Forces after 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60508/25]

62. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department will take action to ensure Defence Forces cadets are in receipt of minimum wage during their training, and paid wages that are commensurate with privates of the same level of experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60398/25]

63. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the allocation he secured for Permanent Defence Force pay in budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60482/25]

64. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on each of the three elements under the military radar programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60407/25]

65. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the changes for Defence Forces pay under budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60483/25]

66. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the Defence Forces regulation regarding a directive of military prosecutions will be amended following his announcement on 14 October 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60383/25]

68. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in relation to pension entitlements for members of the permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60430/25]

69. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence in view of his support for chaplains to the Defence Forces having representation, his plans to agree to amending the PDF’s conciliation and arbitration scheme to provide for such representation in this administrative scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60435/25]