Written Answers Nos. 161-174
164. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if Irish peacekeepers have recorded any violations of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, UNSCR 1701, by all parties involved in the conflict in Lebanon over the past four weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44676/24]
View answerOver the last four weeks the Deputy will be aware of the challenging and difficult operational environment Irish peacekeepers face in UNIFIL.
In order to implement its mandate as defined by the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), UNIFIL carries out a range of operations across its Area of Operations between the Litani river in the north and the Blue Line (Line of Withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces) in the south. These include day and night-time patrols, establishment of observation points, monitoring of the Blue Line, and carrying out clearance of unexploded ordnances and cluster munitions.
IRISHPOLBATT is tasked with permanently monitoring the Blue Line from its forward posts UNPs 6-50 (Polish) and 6-52 (Irish). IRISHPOLBATT headquarters is at Camp Shamrock near AT TIRI at UNP 2-45.
Due to the current security situation there have been some limitations on operational activities being carried out by Irish peacekeepers. However the presence of Irish peacekeepers in theatre has allowed them to continue to monitor and report, in an accurate and timely manner, any violations of UNSCR 1701 by all parties involved in the conflict.
The reporting of violations of UNSCR 1701 form part of UNIFIL HQ reports and these are submitted quarterly by the UNIFIL Force Commander to UN HQ in New York.
165. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress being made with refurbishment works at the Curragh Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44677/24]
View answerThe following capital works for the DFTC are included in the Infrastructure Development Plan and are at various stages of the procurement pipeline at a total value of €57m:
• New Transport Storage Facility x 2 - Estimated Completion early 2025
• CIS Corps Workshop and Stores- Estimated Completion 2026
• New Army Ranger Wing HQ Block – Expected completion 2027
• Refurbishment of 1 Accommodation Block Ceannt Barracks – Estimated completion 2027
• Military College Auditorium Suite – Estimated completion 2027
• LED External Street Lighting Conversion – Estimated completion 2025
• Military Medical Facility and Medical School Upgrade – Estimated completion 2027
• New Bonded Warehouse Building – Estimated completion 2027
• New Student Accommodation Facility – Estimated completion 2028
• West Side Locker Facility – Estimated completion 2028
The Deputy may also wish to know that since the inception of the IDP, the following capital projects have been completed in the DFTC, (Curragh Camp, Kildare) at a total investment of €21.4M
• Ammunition storage – Completed 2020
• Upgrade of Accommodation at Plunkett Barracks- Completed 2020
• New Electric Target Range- Completed 2021
• Engineer Stores- Completed 2022
• Cadet School – Completed 2023
• Engineers Logistics Office - Completed 2023
With regard to vacant residential type properties in the Curragh, I am advised that none of these properties can be occupied without considerable refurbishment and were built before the Building Regulations and associated standards arising from same came into effect. A consultant was commissioned by the Defence Forces to assess the condition of the vacant housing in barracks and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. My officials have provided observations on a final draft of this report, and I expect the Defence Forces to submit the report to me imminently.
166. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what steps are being taken to enhance the role of the Reserve Defence Force in Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44691/24]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is organised on a regional basis, in 28 individual locations, existing as sub-units of parent Permanent Defence Force (PDF) units, with the Defence Forces Headquarters and the Defence Forces Training Camp (DFTC) residing in Kildare.
The RDF currently make a significant contribution to our national defence capability. For example the military authorities estimate that, up to the end of September 2024, 43% of DFTC Army Reserve activity has been in direct support of PDF operations and training. This is in line with the 2021 amendment to the Defence Act, providing for RDF personnel to deploy on a voluntary basis in support of the PDF nationally and overseas, when it is in the best interests of the PDF to do so. This meaningful deployment is significantly contributing to the retention of personnel and complimenting recruiting efforts in the regeneration of the numbers of reservists within the DFTC.
At the end of October 2024, 239 new Reservists (218 Army Reserve and 21 Naval Service Reserve) have been attested, compared with 66 personnel inducted in 2023. The reserve elements in the DFTC have made significant gains in this regard with 17 personnel attested and a further 15 undergoing pre-attestation recruit training.
In line with a recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) pertaining to the Reserve, the Office of the Reserve Affairs (ORA) was established in 2022, along with the full time appointment of a Director in that Office at the rank of Colonel, to oversee and support a holistic approach to the revitalisation of the RDF. This Office is based in the Defence Forces Training Centre, (DFTC) in the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare. The ORA is staffed by a joint PDF and RDF staff who support the day to day running of the RDF while concurrently staffing the operationalisation of the recommendations of the CoDF as laid down in the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP).
The RDF Regeneration and Development Plan, published by the Office of Reserve Affairs in July 2024, coordinates 27 individual actions designed to create a force of well trained, well equipped and highly motivated Reservists. The overall strategic objective of this plan is to ‘create a reserve force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy with the PDF nationally and internationally’.
Despite being in a very early implementation phase, it is clear that the initiatives contained with the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan are generating some positive change. This momentum is on a positive trajectory towards a regenerated, trained and capable RDF to support the PDF.
167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capital works carried going at Defence Forces headquarters; when each of those capital works projects will be completed; and the capital works projects at Defence Forces headquarters that will commence in 2025, in tabular form. [44848/24]
View answerThe Defence Forces headquarters are jointly situated in McKee and the Curragh barracks; whilst also having HQ offices in Baldonnel Aerodrome, Haulbowline and Newbridge (DFHQ and Department of Defence). Please find a list of capital works projects either ongoing in 2024 or due to commence in 2025.
|
Existing Projects |
Location |
Start |
Completed |
|
Refurbishment of ‘F’ Block |
McKee Bks |
Q2 2023 |
Q4 2024 |
|
Refurbishment of Locker Block |
McKee Bks |
Q2 2024 |
Q1 2025 |
|
Upgrade of heating system |
Newbridge |
Q2 2024 |
Q4 2024 |
|
2025 Projects |
Location |
Start |
Completed |
|
Refurbishment of CIS Building |
McKee Bks |
Q2 2025 |
Q1 2026 |
|
New ARW HQ |
Curragh Camp |
Q1 2025 |
Q2 2026 |
|
Installation of EV charging Points |
Newbridge |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
|
Office refurbishment (multiple locations) |
Newbridge |
Q4 2024 |
Q1 2025 |
|
Upgrade of CCTV system |
Newbridge |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
|
Security upgrade to main reception |
Newbridge |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies, by rank, currently in the Defence Forces School of Music; and the estimated timeframe in which each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [44849/24]
View answerThe military authorities have provided the requested details, in the table below, in relation to vacancies in the Defence Forces School of Music. Figures are as at 30 October 2024:
|
Rank |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Captain |
CS |
CQ |
Sgt |
Cpl |
Pte |
|
Strength |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
37 |
31 |
45* |
|
Vacancies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
9 |
0 |
*Private rank is 1 over establishment strength
Vacancies will be filled in line with promotional arrangements and by recruitment. A conductor was inducted into the Permanent Defence Force in July 2024. Any further recruitment will be considered as required.
169. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of mobile phones issued to staff in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total costs expended by his Department on handsets and phones bills over the same timeframe. [44856/24]
View answerMy Department procures mobile phone handsets and mobile phone services under the Office of Government Procurement’s central framework for 'Mobile Voice and Data Communications and Associated Products and Services'.
The number of mobile phone handsets issued to staff and the total expenditure on mobile phone handsets and mobile phone bills in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 is detailed in the table below.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 (to date) |
|
No. of Mobile Handsets Issued |
43 |
68 |
58 |
|
Total Expenditure on handsets and mobile phone bills (Incl. VAT) |
€100,243 |
€107,105 |
€93,523 |
170. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of promotions from the rank of second lieutenant to lieutenant within the Air Corps that occurred in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45052/24]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that all promotions throughout the Air Corps are administered promptly and there are no delays currently. The number of officers who were promoted from the rank of second lieutenant to the rank of lieutenant, as requested by the Deputy, are set out in tabular form below:
|
Year |
Rank on Promotion |
Service |
Total Promoted |
|
2024 (up to 31 October) |
Lieutenant |
Air Corps |
6 |
|
2023 |
Lieutenant |
Air Corps |
7 |
171. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of promotions from the rank of sublieutenant to lieutenant within the Naval Service, in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45053/24]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that all promotions throughout the Naval Service are administered promptly and there are no delays currently. The number of officers who were promoted from the rank of sub-lieutenant to the rank of lieutenant, as requested by the Deputy are set out in tabular form below.
|
Year |
Rank on promotion |
Service |
Total Promoted |
|
2024 (up to 31 October) |
Lieutenant Naval Service |
Naval |
10 |
|
2023 |
Lieutenant Naval Service |
Naval |
10 |
172. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the present establishment strength of the Naval Service, the Army and the Air Corps, respectively; the actual strength of each, broken down between men and women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45189/24]
View answerThe current establishment of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) is 9,600 personnel. This is comprised of Army 7,520, Air Corps 886, and Naval Service 1,094. and a further 100 additional positions for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces appointments.
The military authorities have advised that as of 30 September 2024, the strength of the PDF stood at 7,477. The whole time equivalent (WTE) strength of each service is broken down in the table below.
|
- |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Army |
5,566 |
464 |
6,030 |
|
Air Corps |
677 |
39 |
716 |
|
Naval Service |
671 |
60 |
731 |
|
PDF Total |
6,914 |
563 |
7,477 |
The staffing challenges in the PDF have been acknowledged previously. Current recruitment initiatives underway to counter these staffing challenges include ongoing recruitment of General Service Recruits and Direct Entry specialists in addition to the recruitment of Cadets, the expansion of the scope of such recruitment, the progression of the recommendations from a recent external validation of the Defence Forces recruitment process, engagement of a marine specialist recruitment body and the establishment of a Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston.
Additionally, a range of financial and non-financial retention initiatives have been implemented. These include the doubling of the Naval Service Patrol Duty allowance, the further extension of the Naval Service tax credit, and the extension of private secondary healthcare to all members of the PDF, in addition to significant progress on pay.
Budget 2025 provided a record allocation of €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €100 million. In relation to specific recruitment targets, this allocation provides for the recruitment of at least a net additional 400 personnel per annum.
173. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence once the Government successfully achieves level of ambition 2 as set out under the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, if he will provide an outline of the current total expected cost of achieving level of ambition 3 for each of Ireland’s domains (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45198/24]
View answerThe Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report on the Commission on the Defence Forces provides the timelines associated with the implementation of Commission recommendations. That document sets out that the Government decision in relation to a move to Level of Ambition 3 (LOA 3) will be taken in 2028 and that a capacity and capability assessment will be completed to inform that decision during 2027. It is during that assessment that analysis will be carried out on the expected costs associated with achieving LOA 3.
Therefore the information requested cannot be provided at this time.
174. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the cost of providing the Naval Service with a balanced fleet that would include tier 3-type OPVs, that is, fully integrated and combat-orientated platforms providing multi-asset integration in a defensive role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45199/24]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
The Commission on the Defence Forces specifically recommended an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement, to ensure a balanced fleet of nine modern ships is reached by early in the next decade. This recommendation has been accepted in principle by Government, and planning is underway for the potential procurement of a multi role vessel for the Naval Service which would bring to nine the number of ships in the fleet.
Within the context of a decision being taken by Government that the capability requirements of the Defence Forces need to step up to LOA 3, the Commission recommended that by 2040 the Naval Service would comprise a balanced fleet of at least 12 ships, including Tier 3 type OPVs , supported by appropriate technology as part of a joint Defence Forces structure.
The Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces sets out the requirement to complete a ‘LOA3 capacity and capability assessment’ during 2027 with any decision regarding a ‘move to LOA3 to be decided’ by mid 2028. The cost of a move to LOA3, including the cost associated with the move to a balanced fleet of at least 12 ships, will be examined as part of this capacity and capability assessment.
