Defence Forces

70. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to ensure that all Defence Forces personnel in full-time residential training receive subsistence where they cannot be rationed, including officers attending third level educational institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60381/25]

71. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who have protection orders or barring orders against them; the protocol within the Defence Forces for dealing with an individual member of the force with a protection order or barring order issued to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60455/25]

72. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has considered altering height requirements with regard to enlistment eligibility for the Defence Forces. [60471/25]

73. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has explored options and estimated resources required for Irish participation in ongoing UN peacekeeping missions such as UNDOF in advance of the wind-down of UNIFIL, to preserve Ireland’s unbroken record of participation in UN peacekeeping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60396/25]

74. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to increase our defence capabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60480/25]

75. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to increase cadet pay above minimum wage, and to at least that of all other trainees in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59617/25]

172. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when he expects local bargaining 1% adjustments to be approved and to commence in the defence sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60512/25]

173. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way in which the Defence Forces are developing their unmanned aerial systems capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60513/25]

175. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the supports available to Defence Forces personnel who are being discharged on medical grounds, particularly in cases involving long-term illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56896/25]

65. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount of funding allocated to Defence Forces infrastructure in each of the past five years; the number of projects completed; the number underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60238/25]

67. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of vacancies within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60331/25]

68. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Departments plans to increase its headcount in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60332/25]

69. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the planned recruitment within the Defence Forces for the years 2026-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60333/25]

70. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the rationale for the decision to withdraw Defence Forces personnel from the MINURSO UN peacekeeping mission; whether there are any plans for Ireland to participate in that mission in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60369/25]

72. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures being taken to improve recruitment and retention within the Defence Forces in light of the €145 million increase in defence funding in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60423/25]

73. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way in which the Reserve Defence Forces will benefit from the increased financial support provided in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60424/25]

74. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the supports and funding for Defence Force veterans and their dependents as outlined in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60425/25]

75. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the role the Defence Forces will play in supporting EU defence cooperation initiatives during Ireland’s presidency of the council of the European Union in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60426/25]

238. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on when the ordnance cadetship competition is expected to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58558/25]

239. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of ordnance cadetship posts that were allocated in each of the years 2023 and 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [58559/25]

240. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if unconscious bias training, quotas or participation targets relating to race, gender, ethnicity or religious status are in place for any activities or in recruitment for the Defence Forces. [58638/25]

245. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of cases currently pending against his Department from former and serving members of the Defence Forces in relation to the use of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59785/25]

246. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total amount his Department has spent to date on legal costs, settlements, and compensation to former and current members of the Defence Forces in relation to cases concerning the use of a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59786/25]

57. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capital expenditure on Columb Barracks, Mullingar by his Department in 2024 and to date in 2025. [55780/25]

58. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total expenditure by his Department for Columb Barracks, Mullingar, excluding capital; and a breakdown of the expenditure. [55781/25]