Written Answers Nos. 296-307
296. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Defence if her Department, and agencies under the Department’s remit, purchase data on the habits and activities of social media users and other platforms; if so, the reasons for purchasing such data; the amount spent in 2024 and 2025 year to date on such expenditure, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70861/25]
View answerI can confirm that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department purchased data on the habits and activities of social media users and other platforms during the years 2024 and 2025.
I am further advised that the Defence Forces did not purchase any such data during the same period.
297. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding any deployment of Irish personnel (details supplied); the number of personnel, their roles, the duration of their deployment, and the locations of the operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70899/25]
View answerTo answer the Deputy's question, I can confirm that no Defence Forces personnel are deployed to Frontex Joint Operations, including Operation Poseidon. Furthermore, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces hold no records regarding the deployment of any personnel to any Frontex joint operations.
298. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Defence if any member of the Defence Forces or other State staff have received or are scheduled to receive training at a location (details supplied); the details of the number of personnel, type of training, and dates training occurred or is planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70901/25]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that the specified training facility opened in late-2025. I am informed that no Defence Forces personnel have undergone any training in the specified location during 2025 and none are currently scheduled to undergo training there during 2026.
299. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the capacity the Defence Forces have to deal with drone incursions such as the one reported during the visit of President Zelenskyy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70915/25]
View answer300. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the actions she is taking to locate the drones that were reportedly active during the visit of President Zelenskyy (details supplied); if she is confident that they will be found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70916/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 300 together.
A widely reported incident occurred last week regarding drones operating in the vicinity of a Naval Service vessel. Notwithstanding some suggestions, at no stage was the flight of President Zelensky compromised.
I am advised that the circumstances associated with this incident are being investigated and analysed by the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. In the circumstances, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not appropriate for me to comment on operational decisions particularly in relation to deployment of military capabilities.
As part of work that is currently ongoing to enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces, a project team comprising senior civil and military personnel is continuing to progress the “Military Radar Programme”. There are three elements to this Programme:
• Land based Long Range Primary Radar;
• Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems, which includes Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities; and
• Maritime (ship-borne) Radar.
Good progress is being made across all elements, including the C-UAS element. With, elements of this capability to be rolled out in phases starting in 2026.
301. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence the progress since 2022 to provide the Defence Forces with a primary radar system capable of detecting and tracking rogue and non-conforming aircraft within airspace controlled by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71254/25]
View answerOne of my key priorities as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed in line with the Government’s decision to move to Level of Ambition 2 (LOA2), as defined by the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF).
The CODF recommended the development of a primary radar capability to ensure that Ireland can maintain a complete ‘Recognised Air Picture’, and that this should be an immediate and top priority.
There are three elements to the Military Radar Programme: Land based Long Range Primary Radar; Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems, to include a Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capability; and Maritime (ship-borne) Radar.
This programme of work is ongoing and good progress has been made.
When fully delivered, the Recognised Air Picture will incorporate this suite of military radar systems; which will have the capability to detect all aircraft traversing our airspace including any that may be operating with their transponders turned off.
Full delivery of the Programme will be complex; but has been prioritised with a target date of 2028 identified in the Detailed Implementation Plan. That being said, elements of this capability will be rolled out in phases, starting in 2026, towards full delivery by the end of 2028.
My Department has engaged with a number of countries, including all EU Member States, to ascertain their interest in supporting Ireland to deliver this capability.
Based on the responses received, my officials commenced bi-lateral discussions with a small number of countries earlier this year, with a view to assessing options for delivery, and I anticipate that this phase of the Programme will conclude in the coming weeks.
In terms of next steps thereafter, my priority is to ensure that delivery can commence next year with full operational capacity being delivered by the end of 2028.
302. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence the efforts made since 2022 to provide the Defence Forces with aircraft capable of intercepting and policing rogue or non-conforming aircraft within Irish controlled airspace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71255/25]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. The Programme for Government 2025 commits to strengthening Ireland's defence by increasing investment in our capabilities and thereby safeguarding our people.
Capital funding of €1.7 billion has been allocated to the Defence under the National Development Plan for the period 2026-2030. The funding represents an increase of €600 million (announced 23rd July in the National Development Plan) or 55% on the previous baseline figure of €1.1 billion. This significant increase reflects the Government’s commitment to continue to increase investment in our Defence Forces. The revised allocation will enable targeted progression on key elements of government commitments within Level of Ambition 2 (Enhanced Capability) objectives, as outlined in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended that under Level of Ambition 3 "As part of a national Air Defence Plan, the Air Corps would develop an air combat and intercept capability through the acquisition of a squadron of jet combat aircraft, allied to the development of associated operational, infrastructure and support arrangements". In response to that recommendation, Government agreed that this recommendation would revert to Government at a later stage. This was in recognition that any proposed move to Level of Ambition 3 could only be considered in the context of a step up, in the first instance, to Level of Ambition 2. As such the current focus is the delivery of Level of Ambition 2 capabilities and detailed planning for the development of jet capability has not commenced.
However, the civil/military staffed Capability Development Unit, established in 2023 in response to a recommendation in the CoDF to implement a top down Capability Development Planning Process, is preparing a Capability Development Programme, that will identify at a high level, the Capability requirements for the Defence Forces in terms of equipment out to 2040. This ongoing piece of work, once complete, will inform the prioritisation of capabilities the Defence Forces will progress in moving towards the strategic level of ambition set out in the Defence Policy Review. This will be in line with the capital allocation under the National Development Plan.
In terms of LOA 2 capabilities for the Air Corps, a number of projects are currently being progressed under the Air Corps Aircraft Renewal and Replacement Programmes. The Air Corps took delivery of a third Airbus C-295 aircraft (in Military Transport specification) in October 2025; and a contract was also awarded in 2024 for the provision of four Airbus H145M light-utility multi-role helicopters, which are in production for phased delivery in 2027 and 2028. In addition to these procurements, further rotary wing capability will be the subject of a future procurement process beginning in the near term.
Also related to LOA 2 for the Air Corps is the Military Radar Programme which was established in response to the recommendation for the establishment of a Recognised Air Picture for Ireland. This Programme, which is made up of Long Range Primary Radar, Ground Based Air Defence Systems and Maritime (ship-borne) Radar is of significant importance and has been prioritised. Work is ongoing and good progress is being made.
303. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence if her Department will provide details of the efforts made since 2022 to increase the technical and radar operator/controller manpower levels within the Irish Defence Forces; and the success which have achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71256/25]
View answerThe Government are committed to taking measures to improve recruitment and retention within the Defence Forces. Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures and improvements to the overall benefits package to drive recruitment and support the retention of specialists in the Defence Forces. These include an increase in recruitment age to 39 years for those roles that had a recruitment age below that, and to 50 years for Direct Entry Specialists. The mandatory retirement age has been increased to 62. Private secondary healthcare has been rolled out to all PDF members and the provisions of the Working Time Directive have been extended across the Defence Forces, subject to certain exemptions. The Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled after ten days at sea in a calendar year and the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years while a Technical Pay 2-6 review has been completed and implemented and is targeted at specialist personnel. The service commitment scheme currently in place for pilots in the Air Corps has been extended to Air Traffic Control personnel. These are in addition to the extensive education and training opportunities provided to all personnel.
Challenges exist in recruiting and retaining certain specialists due to competing demands for such specialists in other sectors at a time of effective full employment and economic buoyancy.
In addition to traditional recruitment, a number of measures have been introduced aimed at restoring and retaining capacity and boosting specialist numbers. These include an ongoing scheme which permits former personnel with specialist skills to re-enter the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). In 2025, as of the 31 October, this has resulted in 27 re-enlistments and 2 Officers being recommissioned.
Direct Entry is utilised in the recruitment of specialists. The Defence Forces are currently accepting Direct Entry applications for 9 ongoing competitions, 8 of which are specific to the Naval Service and include a competition for Radio Radar Technicians. Total inductions arising from these competitions as of the 31 October of this year stands at 26 which represents a marked increase on previous years and gives significant cause for optimism.
In addition, new competitions have been introduced in recent years such as those for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Aeronautical Engineer Officer and a new cadetship competition stream for Air Traffic Controllers which has resulted in the induction of 3 cadets in both 2024 and 2025 respectively. An additional new competition for Direct Entry Air Traffic Controllers is currently in the final stages of preparation.
Whilst some challenges undoubtedly remain, significant progress has been made in the recruitment and retention of specialists and technicians and the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector coupled with the ongoing initiatives I have outlined here, is illustrative of my intent in this regard.
304. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence if her Department will identify strategies used since 2022 to recruit persons into the Defence Forces in Ireland; the success which has been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71257/25]
View answerThe current marketing strategy for Defence Forces recruitment ‘Be More with the Irish Defence Forces’, launched in 2022, highlights the opportunities a career in the Defence Forces can offer, where members can continuously train, improve and learn new skills, coupled with advantageous career advancement prospects.
In addition, the Defence Forces have engaged a Marketing and Media partner to assist with targeted recruitment advertising to ensure engagement with the recruitment demographic across social media and other media platforms. Specific advertising for specialist recruitment is placed in industry specific publications and websites.
The Defence Forces continue to broadcast this message through regular visits to schools and Education and Training Boards, in addition to frequent attendance at recruitment and career fairs/events. Furthermore, transition year students can avail of experiential placements within the organisation to undertake various programmes across several locations.
A range of measures have been undertaken to tackle recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces over the last number of years. Notable among these have been the extension of private secondary healthcare to all PDF personnel, a doubling of the Patrol-Duty Allowance, the application of the provisions of the Working-Time Directive across the Defence Forces as well as significant progress on pay.
Figures provided by the Defence Forces for 2024 demonstrated a stabilisation in numbers while those provided to date for 2025 provide further cause for optimism in indicating a modest expansion in strength. It should be noted that there continues to be a very strong level of interest in a career in the Defence Forces with some 14,881 applications received to date in 2025, with an expected 775 inductions by year end. Both figures represent a significant increase on equivalent figures recorded for 2022 which saw 8,043 applications and 435 inductions respectively.
Budget 2026 includes an allocation of €1.49 billion for the Defence Sector, which incorporates a provision for the recruitment and training of at least a net additional 400 enlisted personnel in 2026. The Defence Forces have advised that they will target 800+ inductions in 2026.
305. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence if her Department will identify the strategies used since 2022 to recruit persons into the Reserve Defence Forces; the success which has been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71258/25]
View answer306. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence if her Department will provide details of the efforts made since 2022 to encourage former members of the Defence Forces and, former Defence Forces technicians and other specialists to transfer to the Reserve Defence Forces or to return to uniform in the Reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71259/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.
In 2023, on foot of a recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Defence Forces Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) was established. One of ORA’s priorities was the development of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) Regeneration and Development Plan (RDFRDP), published in July 2024, which coordinates 27 individual actions to drive forward recruitment and retention; resourcing; training and education; as well as integration and deployment. Each of the 27 actions contribute to the ultimate goal of developing a Reserve Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy on a voluntary basis with the Permanent Defence Force, both nationally and overseas.
Examples of recruitment measures that continue to support this objective include the increase in upper recruitment and mandatory retirement ages, implementation of a ‘managed Induction Process’ and the on boarding process which enables candidates to undergo pre-attestation recruit training.
In addition to general service recruitment, a further action within the RDFRDP is the enabling of multi induction streams, which will ensure the RDF has as many induction mechanisms as possible, including direct and lateral entry.
The Office of Reserve Affairs has also created a Reserve Strategic Engagement Team, comprised of reservists with relevant marketing, advertising and media production skills, who have led a series of initiatives to enhance awareness of the RDF and support recruitment. This involves conducting a social media campaign, attending events and engaging with relevant stakeholders.
Furthermore, a national advertising campaign is being developed which will include new updated RDF promotional material and the roll out of branded exhibition equipment.
Admission to the First Line Reserve (FLR) element of the RDF, which provides a pool of former trained/ specialist personnel, available to supplement the PDF in times of emergency, is also under review.
The increased interest in the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) was reflected in the number of Reserve Training and Support Days (RTSDs) undertaken in 2024 which totalled 28,762 days, or an excess of 2,762 days over the original allocation of 26,000 days. The original 2024 budget allocation for the RDF was proactively increased in Q4 2024 to meet evolving levels of RDF activity, with a further increase requested and sanctioned in the latter part of the year.
One of my key priorities is the modernisation of our Defence Forces, and revitalising our Reserve Defence Forces is a vital part of that transformation process. The Regeneration and Development Plan actions are generating positive change and increased momentum towards a regenerated, trained and capable RDF to support the Permanent Defence Forces.
307. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Defence the amount the Defence Forces spent on purchasing military equipment from French and German companies respectively, in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [71291/25]
View answerInvestment in new equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various Subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships and naval stores, engineering, communications and information technology equipment etc.
I am informed by the Defence Forces that their records indicate the amount spent on purchasing military equipment from companies based in the France and Germany in 2024 and to date in 2025 was as follows:
|
Year |
France |
Germany |
|
2024 |
€30,316,115 |
€1,119,271 |
|
2025 (up to 30 November) |
€38,516,372 |
€431,551 |
I would also like to advise the Deputy that details of Purchase Orders for goods and services valued at more than €20,000 are routinely published.. This information is published on the Department of Defence website – www.gov.ie/en/collection/b61276-purchase-orders-over-20000/
The Department has published details of Purchase Orders including those placed for weapons and equipment by the Defence Organisation for the years 2024 to the second quarter of 2025. I am advised that a small number of Purchase Orders for that timeframe were excluded from the published list for security and operational reasons.
