Written Answers Nos. 1-16
12. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a report on the implementation of the Working Time Directive 2003 in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42010/24]
View answerI wish to reassure the Deputy that, as Minister of Defence, I am fully committed to the removal of the blanket exemption which currently applies to the Defence Forces in the 1997 Organisation of Working Time Act.
As the Deputy is aware, working time legislation falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), Peter Burke. Following my approval earlier this year of a management position, and extensive formal engagement thereafter, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are currently working to develop the appropriate legislative mechanism to bring the Defence Forces within the scope of the 1997 Act.
The drafting of such legislation on such matters is complex, however, I want to be clear that this is a priority for both Minister Burke, Minister Higgins, myself and indeed for the wider Government.
My colleague, Minister Burke advised last month that a decision has been made to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act, by way of Regulation under the European Communities Act 1972 and it is expected that a Statutory Instrument can be finalised by the end of the year.
The Military Authorities have previously determined that the vast majority of activities are compliant with the Directive. However, in tandem with the drafting of the Statutory Instrument, my officials are actively progressing the necessary underpinning required for those agreed health and safety protections associated with military activities deemed to be exempt from the scope of the Directive due to their specific nature.
These measures will come into effect in parallel with the enactment of the Statutory Instrument to remove the blanket exemption and provide for these specific exemptions.
Another critical enabler in taking forward the implementation of the Directive is a robust Time and Attendance system. Following the pilot Time and Attendance system undertaken by the military authorities last year, a follow-on procurement process is now underway, for a long-term electronic solution, which will lead to the development a system to record the daily working hours of every member of the Defence Forces.
I am delighted that this very significant piece of work is now about to come to fruition. It is a key development for each and every member of the Defence Forces, and is correctly seen as an important retention measure which will ensure that health and safety protections as prescribed in the Directive, are afforded to serving personnel.
13. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has conducted an audit of property owned by his Department and if he is satisfied that any land/buildings no longer required can be identified for new purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42007/24]
View answerSince 1998, my Department has been engaged in an ongoing disposal programme for a range of properties that were identified as surplus to military requirements. The majority of these disposals in that period have occurred as a result of the re-organisation of the Defence Forces.
Once surplus properties are identified, my department is required to determine if the Land Development Agency, Government Departments, or Local Authorities are interested in acquiring same. Should no such interest be declared, my Department proceeds with the disposal of the property by way of unrestricted competition via public auction.
My Department can also dispose of property directly to Local Authorities for the purposes of house building, road widening or the provision of public amenities.
Following the establishment of the Land Development Agency in September 2018, the Government decided that two Defence properties would transfer to the LDA, the former Columb Barracks in Mullingar and St. Bricin's Military Hospital in Dublin.
In addition, under the Government's Housing for All plan, all Government Departments were asked to examine their land portfolio to assess if there is suitable land available for housing. My Department has actively engaged in this process and in May 2022 carried out an assessment of lands available for housing purposes within the parameters of the Department of Housing's then criteria.
Subsequently, my officials engaged with their counterparts in relation to possible transfer of Cathal Brugha Barracks. In July 2024, following an extensive consultancy which examined the feasibility of this, the Government agreed that the Defence Forces should retain the use of Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin and that the site will not be developed as a new housing-led mixed community.
The Deputy may also wish to note that there is a long standing policy of my Department and the Defence Forces allowing third party access to Defence Forces facilities and properties, in order to support local communities and to raise the profile of the Defence Forces amongst the general public. This policy extends to a wide number of groups and activities, including local schools, GAA clubs, soccer clubs and numerous community groups throughout the country.
14. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the functions formally performed by members of the Defence Forces which have been outsourced since 2020. [42016/24]
View answerAt the outset I have to state that, in the time available, it has not been possible for me to get a definitive list of functions formally performed by members of the Defence Forces which have been outsourced since 2020. I have requested this information from the Defence Forces and will revert to the Deputy with a response once the information is available to me.
I am aware however of a number of areas within the Defence Forces where, due to personnel shortages, particularly in areas where specialist skills are required, it has been necessary to engage or contract external personnel or service providers to carry out certain functions which normally would be provided by Defence Forces personnel.
For example, due to prioritisation of overseas medicals and planned recruitment campaigns estimating additional applicants into both the PDF and RDF in the years ahead, in 2023 the Defence Forces entered into a contract with an external company for the conduct of an estimated 10,200 PDF and RDF occupational and induction Part 2 medicals over a four-year period.
Another example is in relation to the maintenance of our aircraft and naval ships, again personnel shortages, particularly technician shortages, in some instances, have resulted in the requirement to bring in contractors to work alongside Defence Forces personnel to carry out maintenance and in other cases to contract out certain maintenance functions which would ideally be performed in-house. Every effort is being made to increase the strength of our Defence Forces. The high turnover and challenge with recruitment is being experienced worldwide.
This government has introduced many changes to make the Defence Forces an attractive option as a career choice and will continue to work with the Defence Forces to enhance recruitment and retention.
In conclusion I will re-iterate that I do not have a definitive list of the functions that have been outsourced since 2020 however I will revert to the Deputy once this information becomes available.
15. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the Defence Forces high-level action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41487/24]
View answer16. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to indicate the progress in recent months in implementing the reforms in the Defence Forces identified in a recent report, in particular all of the major recommendations including gender equality, recruitment, pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42080/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.
The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main recommendations and with sub recommendations there were 130 recommendations in total. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covered high-level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of these recommendations was undertaken with a High Level Action Plan (HLAP) and a Memo for Government brought to Government and approved on July 12th 2022. This involved the approval of a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2) by 2028, as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. The move to LOA2 is due to be complete by 2028. This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission.
The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, was published on the 21st of November last. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to LOA 2 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across:
• Strategic HR and Cultural Change;
• New Command and Control and Joint Structures to be established;
• Services to be reformed and restructured;
• Reserve Defence Force to be revitalised; and
• Joint Capability Development to be implemented
Much progress has been achieved since the Commission’s report was published, with 33 recommendations completed and work ongoing across many others. Government noted that, in light of the Commission’s report, there is an urgent need for HR and cultural transformation in the Defence Forces and this will be prioritised.
While we are still in the early stages of the transformation process, the recommendations implemented to-date have had a significant impact on members of the Defence Forces.
This includes changes made to the existing Naval Service allowances, as a means of simplifying current structures, by consolidating the daily allowance and the sea-going commitment scheme into one enhanced allowance.
In addition to this, extension of private secondary healthcare to enlisted ranks was implemented in September 2023.
In terms of recruitment, a number of initiatives have been progressed to counter staffing challenges in the Defence Forces, The Government agreed to increase the maximum retirement age for Permanent Defence Force personnel to 62. This facilitated an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles. The maximum recruitment age for Direct Entry Officer specialists has been increased to 50.
The Commission on the Defence Forces made a number of recommendations around Command and Control including the creation of a new position of Chief of Defence. I received Government approval in July this year to prepare the necessary legislation to provide for the reform of high-level Command and Control of the Defence Forces.
The work undertaken is significant, complex and sensitive involving a fundamental review of the current regulatory framework governing the relationship between the Minister for Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence. These reforms are part of the modernisation of the Defence Forces and bring the high level structures in line with international comparators.
However a great deal of work still needs to be done and it will need concerted effort by all involved.
By the end of this year it is anticipated that 46 of the Commission's recommendations will be fully implemented, with many more being progressed over the course of the year. Work is currently underway on the development of an updated Detailed Implementation Plan, which is scheduled to be published in Q4 2024.
Transformation efforts of this magnitude take time, and can only be successful if they are built on solid foundations. I have confidence that the structures that have been put in place and progress to date will ensure the successful delivery of the transformation effort.
