Defence Forces

359. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if a new cadetship recruitment campaign for the Army will be launched in quarter three 2025. [24271/25]

361. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for 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]

362. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many lance corporal ranked positions have been created in 2023, 2024, and 2025 year to date, in tabular form; what other retention tools have been deployed over the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24314/25]

152. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the 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]

153. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the planned negotiations for a radar detection system; the expected cost of the system; a timeline for the delivery of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23068/25]

158. 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]

160. Deputy Ryan O'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]

162. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline his plans for investment at Gormanston Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17085/25]

163. Deputy Ruairí Ó 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]

164. Deputy Tony 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]

173. Deputy Joe 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]

175. 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]

177. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the up-to-date position on the safety and security of Irish personnel serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17993/25]

181. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way in which he envisages Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, playing a part in cyber-defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17685/25]

183. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how he plans to improve pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17920/25]

185. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the investment made in facilities at Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, since 2020; if further investment is anticipated in coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17686/25]

191. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason his Department has initiated tender-related processes (details supplied) calling for unmanned aircraft systems for search and rescue that can be adapted to strike targets; to outline the strike capability being called for; the use to which it is contemplated such drones are to be put; the reason(s) such UAMS must…

192. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made to date in respect of the key recommendations set out in the Independent Review Group into the Defence Forces Report 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18007/25]

193. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has considered 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. [17825/25]

194. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the Government's plans to modernise the equipment and infrastructure of the Defence Forces; the investment being allocated to ensure operational readiness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17651/25]

196. Deputy Joe Neville 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 and defence can be linked to make the armed forces even more attract…

197. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the current situation with respect to recruitment to both the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18016/25]

198. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the action he is taking to improve retention levels in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17828/25]

199. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the professional instructor payment, committed to by the Government, will be paid to commissioned officer instructors in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18070/25]

200. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will support and simplify the application process for funding in respect of overseas veterans (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18064/25]