Written Answers Nos. 273-290
273. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Defence the number of new recruits entering the Defence Forces in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3554/26]
View answerThe table below outlines the number of recruits inducted into the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) from 2020 to 2025 as requested by the Deputy.
|
Year |
Number of Recruits Inducted |
|
2021 |
442 |
|
2022 |
350 |
|
2023 |
311 |
|
2024 |
577 |
|
2025 |
632 |
I am advised by the Defence Forces that a total of 790 personnel were inducted into the Permanent Defence Force in 2025. This compares favourably with the total of 708 inductions achieved in 2024 and in fact amounts to the highest number of inductions in twenty years.
It should be noted that the growth in interest in a career in the Defence Forces increased significantly again during 2025 with 16,510 applications received across all competitions- an increase of 24% on the previous year. Applications for General Service Recruitment amounted to over 13,000- an increase of 29% on 2024.
As these figures indicate, the Defence Forces are making concerted efforts to increase recruitment. Entry to a career in the Defence Forces remains open via a wide range of pathways including general service recruitment, re-entry schemes and eight Naval Service specific direct entry competitions. A range of new recruitment competition streams were successfully launched over the past number of years and continued through 2025. These include new competitions for Air Traffic Controller Cadetships, Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Grooms in the Equitation School and Dental Nurses.
The Government has implemented a range of measures aimed at supporting and encouraging recruitment to the Defence Forces. These include an increase in the maximum 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, the patrol duty allowance has been doubled, the Naval Service Tax Credit has been extended for a further five years and there has also been significant progress on pay.
Underpinning these and other measures, Budget 2026 has provided a record allocation of €1.49 billion. In relation to specific recruitment targets, this allocation provides for the recruitment of at least a net additional 400 personnel per annum.
As Minister for Defence, I am determined to meet and overcome the recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces and the allocation by this Government of an unprecedented level of expenditure to the Defence sector coupled with the suite of measures currently in train is illustrative of my intent in this regard.
274. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Defence to list the roles within public or semi-State organisations under her Department that are excluded from the single public service pension scheme; the number of people employed in those roles, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3614/26]
View answerThere are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), which was placed on a statutory basis on 1 December 2024.
All support staff to the bodies listed above are civil servants employed by my Department. As it is mandatory for all civil servants to be a member of a pension scheme, all civil servants in my Department are members of the appropriate pension scheme determined by their date of entry into the service, including the Single Public Service Pension Scheme applicable to those entering the public service on or after1 January 2013.
275. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence if she will seek to avail of loans under the EU Security Action for Europe facility in order to supplement capital investment under the National Development Plan for defence capability development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3801/26]
View answerAs announced on 27 June last, Ireland will be leveraging the common procurement opportunities offered under the SAFE instrument to speed up delivery of Ireland’s defence capability.
However, Ireland did not seek to draw down funding from SAFE at this time. This decision followed engagement between the Department of Defence, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the Department of Finance.
This decision reflected the recent Government agreement on the National Development Plan, which sets out a capital allocation for the Defence Vote Group for the period 2026-2030 of €1.7 billion, an increase of 55 per cent on the previous baseline
276. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 17 September 2025, if she will publish the detailed implementation plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which her predecessor committed to publishing in October 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3803/26]
View answerThe Updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces is currently being finalised. I intend to present it to the Government in the coming weeks, after which it will be published.
277. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence the reason she has not prioritised the replacement of the Naval Service flagship LE Eithne, which was retired three years ago, while prioritising the replacement of Mowag Piranha armoured vehicles that were recently upgraded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3804/26]
View answer278. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence if she is concerned that the Naval Service may not see any new vessels commissioned over the next five to ten years, at a time when maritime security is a stated national priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3805/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 278 together.
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government.
The capital funding of €1.7 billion allocated to Defence in the latest National Development Plan covering the period 2026 to 2030 represents an increase of €600 million on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion. The revised capital allocations will enable targeted progression on key elements of Government commitments within LOA 2 objectives.
Capital investment in Defence primarily provides for the renewal, retention and acquisition of major defence equipment and infrastructural platforms. This expenditure enhances and supports military capabilities and therefore contributes to a more secure and resilient society.
As Defence capital expenditure is often atypical, with long lead-in times, the funding certainty now provided will support the internal Equipment Development Plan and Infrastructural Development Planning Frameworks.
The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended a programme of naval vessel replacement under Level of Ambition 2, to ensure a balanced fleet of a modern ships is reached early in the next decade, this has been accepted in principle by Government.
The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight commissioned vessels. These eight vessels consist of two P50 Class Large Patrol Vessels, four P60 Class Offshore Patrol Vessels and two P70 Inshore Patrol Vessels. Capital investment in the Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of the two P50 class vessels has been completed, and two P70 class Inshore Patrol Vessels purchased from the New Zealand Government were commissioned into State service as LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait in 2024.
A long-term Capability Development Programme 2028 to 2040 is under preparation in my Department which will identify and cost, at a high level, the capability requirements for the Defence Forces out to 2040 across all domains of operation, including the maritime and subsea domain. I have also requested the Defence Forces to prepare a Regeneration Plan for the Naval Service to address the challenges faced in recent years and to plot a path forward for the future direction of the Naval Service.
In finalising these plans, decisions will be made on the composition of the balanced fleet of modern ships, including decisions regarding the Multi-Role Vessel and the greater use of technologies. These decisions will also be informed by other relevant information, including the new National Maritime Security Strategy being developed which my Department has taken the lead on.
279. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence if the PC-9M trainer aircraft is to be replaced by a turboprop or jet trainer; the operational requirements of any replacement aircraft; the expected budgetary allocation; the proposed timeline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3806/26]
View answerReply not received from the Department.
280. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence her plans to modernise the Reserve Defence Forces to ensure that they are ready to act in support the Permanent Defence Forces and the civil power, and deal with the challenges Ireland faces in the 21st century; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3808/26]
View answerReply not received from the Department.
281. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Naval Service Reserve as of the most recent date available; the established strength of the Naval Service Reserve; the number of recruits inducted in 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of personnel who exited the Naval Service Reserve over the same period; the level of funding allocated to the Naval Service Reserve in 2024 and 2025, including for paid training days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3809/26]
View answerOne of the key recommendations from CODF Report was to increase the future Reserve Defence Force (RDF) establishment strength to include at a minimum, an Air Force Reserve of 200, and to increase the establishment of the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) from 200 to 400, and this is being considered in the context of ongoing work on the future strength of the RDF, the wider work force planning and transformation of the Defence Forces and the development of the Air Corps and Naval Service.
The current establishment for the NSR is 200 personnel. The military authorities have advised that as of 31 December 2025, the latest date for which such figures are available, the strength of the NSR stood at 131 personnel.
The military authorities have provided the following information in respect of inductions and discharges in the NSR:
|
- |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Inductions |
25 |
29 |
|
Discharges |
5 |
14 |
There is no separate funding allocation for the NSR but rather funding is provided overall for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) which sufficiently meets the demands of both Army Reserve (AR) and NSR. In that context, the following table sets out the final RDF 2024 and 2025 budget allocation along with the total number of RDF Reserve Training and Support Days undertaken:
|
- |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Final Budget Allocation (RDF) |
€3.2m |
€3.5m |
|
Total RTSD's (RDF) |
28,762 |
29,112 |
One of my key goals as Minister for Defence, is the ongoing modernisation of our Defence Forces and a vital part of this transformation process is the revitalising of the Reserve Forces, as identified and recommended by the Commission on the Defence Forces. To support this regeneration, the RDF budget allocation for 2026 has been increased further to €4.535m.
282. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of the Reserve Defence Force Regeneration and Development Plan as it relates to the Naval Service Reserve; the current status of Action 22; any decisions made on the future structure, geographic footprint, and establishment strength of the Naval Service Reserve; the timeline for full implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3810/26]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) Regeneration and Development Plan coordinates 27 individual actions that continue to drive forward recruitment and retention; resourcing; training and education; as well as integration and deployment. All 27 actions are progressing and as such are contributing to the wider transformation of the Defence Forces, not just the RDF. Out of the 27 actions, 25 specifically or generally relate to the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).
The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended that the Naval Service Reserve establishment should be increased to a minimum of 400 personnel and increase their geographical footprint to establish units in the northwest and northeast. This recommendation was captured in the Detailed Implementation Plan and further captured in the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan under Action 22.
Military authorities have advised that the Navy Development Office, supported by the Office of Reserve Affairs, has developed an establishment, organisation and structure in line with the recommendations of the CoDF and the future force design of the Navy and Defence Forces as a whole. The proposed force design is currently undergoing testing in the joint operating environment.
The initiatives contained in the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan are generating positive change and increased momentum towards a regenerated, trained and capable RDF to support the Permanent Defence Forces and the work in 2026 will build on that success.
283. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Defence when the rehearsals studio for the Defence Forces school of music was last refurbished; when it is next scheduled for refurbishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3842/26]
View answerThe band rehearsal room at the Defence Forces School of Music was refurbished in 2015. I am advised that there are currently no plans to further refurbish the band room at the Defence Forces School of Music.
284. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Defence to provide an up-to-date contact list for queries from Oireachtas members to agencies under her Department, in tabular form. [3868/26]
View answerThere are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), which was placed on a statutory basis on 1 December 2024.
As with all Departments, the organisational details for my Department from Principal Officer upwards are publicly available on the Government website; [whodoeswhat.gov.ie.] This includes the role of each individual. Any queries from members of the Oireachtas can be sent to [minister@defence.ie]. The contact details for each of the bodies under the aegis of my Department are listed below in the following table;
|
Agency |
Contact details |
|
Army Pensions Board |
|
|
External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces |
|
|
Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF) |
285. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence given the Air Corps 101 Squadron operate Airbus 295W Maritime Surveillance Aircraft, the number of staff vacancies for radar operators; the actual staffing levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4150/26]
View answerThe Defence Forces have advised that the strength of the Air Corps as at 31 December 2025, the latest date for which this figure is available, stood at 742 personnel out of the establishment of 886 personnel.
Recruitment to the Air Corps remains ongoing via a General Service recruitment competition. Last year saw the induction of 60 recruits to the Air Corps. Cadetship competitions for Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers were successfully concluded and it is anticipated that the 2026 competition will launch in the next number of weeks. In addition, a new competition for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians ran during July of last year and culminated in the induction of 8 personnel in October and it is anticipated that a new competition will launch in the coming months.
In relation to the Air Corps 101 Squadron specifically, I am advised that the 101 Squadron utilises the skills of trained sensor and airborne radar operators (SAROs) as a part of the crew on the two Airbus C-295 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft operated by the Air Corps for Maritime Defence and Security Operations. Routine Human Resource and Training processes are in progress in 101 Sqn to replace any existing vacancies. The establishment of the Squadron is also currently under review as part of the Force Design process currently in progress, with a view to enhanced capabilities under Level of Ambition 2. Specific details on current staffing levels in operational Squadrons of the Air Corps are not released for operational security reasons. I am therefore not in a position to provide specific details to the Deputy.
286. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence given the pending investment in SONOBOUY technology on the aircraft to help track rogue subsurface vessels around critical undersea cables, if he will outline any retention policies such as recent schemes for military air traffic controllers to ensure we don’t lose key SARO personnel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4151/26]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, we are significantly upgrading our underwater defence in response to modern maritime threats.
The Sonobuoy project is part of a larger programme of work for subsea domain awareness, and this programme is currently underway. Subsea domain awareness and in particular protecting subsea critical infrastructure requires a multifaceted approach with different capabilities working in coordination to firstly detect an undersea threat, localise it, classify it and track it as it moves through the water.
This project is in the planning phase, market research is ongoing, and it will result in the Air Corps receiving a capability to detect, localise, identify and track objects in the Irish EEZ. This capability will be used in conjunction with the new towed sonar capability and also with existing Air Corps assets.
Since my appointment as Minister for Defence in November 2025, I am particularly focussed on stabilising the numbers of Defence Force personnel and facilitating the capacity for further increases. As the Deputy will be aware, there are multiple factors that influence retention levels, which include job satisfaction, terms and conditions of service, the physical environment and organisational workplace culture.
A significant challenge facing the Irish Defence Forces, and indeed defence establishments internationally, is the sustained difficulty in achieving recruitment and retention targets necessary to maintain optimal staffing levels. However, the extensive modernisation of the Defence Forces over the past five years is having a measurable impact, leading to the stabilisation of overall personnel numbers in 2024 and an increase in overall numbers of almost 200 personnel in 2025.
Specific actions in retention, which have already been delivered, include:
• Significant progress on pay;
• The extension of the existing Service Commitment Scheme for Air Corps pilots, to Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel;
• An increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62;
• The extension of private healthcare to all ranks in the Defence Forces;
• Provision of fitness, training and sports facilities across its installations;
• Progress on the 2023-2027 Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) with the highest level of financial resources in the State’s history;
• The provision of excellent training and education opportunities;
• The implementation of the Working Time Directive.
In addition, work is continuing to build on these initiatives through the delivery of a Strategic HR Change Programme, which includes;
• The transformation of Career and Talent Processes and Promotion Systems;
• Remote Learning Solutions;
• A Coaching and Mentoring Programme;
• Flexible Work Practices and Family Friendly Policies.
Local Bargaining has become a valuable strategy for enhancing workforce retention by exploring tailored proposals that aim to boost job satisfaction, support professional growth, and alleviate challenges in career advancement and operational stability.
One of the key indicators of progress is a reduction in attrition rates. In this regard, significant work has been undertaken over the past five years to transform the Defence Forces and I am pleased to say is having a tangible impact with the stabilisation of overall staffing levels in the Defence Forces.
An encouraging indicator of this stabilisation, has been a reduction in the turnover rate from 10 percent per annum in recent years and up to end 2024, to just under 8 percent for last year.
In January 2025, a Retention Team was set up in the Defence Forces to start building a clear pathway to reduce overall attrition across the Defence Forces. The first focus has been on stabilising the workforce through targeted, evidence-led actions.
Work is also well underway on the Defence Forces Retention Strategy, with support from an external partner.
Looking further ahead, the Defence Forces Strategic Workforce Plan is being developed. This plan will set out how the organisation can best balance its workforce in terms of numbers, structure, and skills over the coming years.
I want to reassure the Deputy that prioritising the attraction, retention, and satisfaction of talented individuals across the entire Defence Forces, including SARO personnel, is a priority and in an ever buoyant employment market, I want to see the Defence Forces placed as an employer of choice.
287. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence the advertisement budget allocation for the Defence Forces in 2025 and 2026, in tabular form. [4180/26]
View answerThe Defence Forces advertising budget is provided for within Subhead A.22.2 (Miscellaneous: Advertising) of the Defence Vote and provides for advertising costs which support various Defence Forces recruitment initiatives. The table below outlines the Defence Forces advertising allocation for 2025 and 2026.
|
Defence Forces Advertising |
Allocation €m |
|
2025 |
€3.1 |
|
2026 |
€3.6 |
Funding for Defence Forces advertising has increased considerably in recent years, supporting a strengthened recruitment drive across diverse demographic groups through a variety of marketing and media platforms.
This strategy has delivered significant momentum across multiple ongoing recruitment initiatives including general service recruitment, direct entry recruitment, and re-entry recruitment schemes. Up to the end of November 2025, 15,781 applications had been received to join the Defence Forces, an output that considerably exceeds the 13,348 applications received throughout the whole of 2024.
288. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the training and recruitment of Military air traffic controllers; whether an external recruitment campaign is planned; and, if so, when it is expected to be launched; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4249/26]
View answerI am advised by the Defence Forces that the strength of the Air Corps as at 31 December 2025, the latest date for which this figure is available, stood at 742 personnel out of an establishment of 886 personnel.
I am also advised that the Air Corps currently has five (5) personnel in training in Air Traffic Services. These comprise 3 personnel conducting the final stages of their ATC training in Baldonnel and this cohort are due to qualify as Air Traffic Controllers in May, 2026, subject to the successful completion of their course.
A further 2 personnel have recently completed their initial military training in the Cadet School, and are now in engaged in their ATC training course with a graduation date of circa May 2027, subject the successful completion of their course of training.
Recruitment to the Air Corps remains ongoing via a General Service recruitment (GSR) competition. Last year saw the induction of 60 recruits to the Air Corps which is the highest figure since the introduction of an Air Corps specific GSR competition in 2022 . Cadetship competitions for Pilots and Air Traffic Controller cadets were successfully concluded last year with the induction of 7 and 3 personnel respectively and it is anticipated that the 2026 competition will launch in the next number of weeks. A new competition for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians closed for applications last July and resulted in 8 inductions in October and it is expected that the 2026 competition will launch in the first half of the year. In relation to recruitment to Air Traffic Services, a competition for Direct Entry Air Traffic Controllers is being progressed by my officials and the Defence Forces.
289. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if further advancements have been made yet to the Irish motor insurance database, with all driver numbers added to the database now and shared with Gardaí on a daily basis to identify and apprehend thousands more uninsured drivers. [3773/26]
View answerThe introduction of the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) in 2023, a joint initiative between my Department, An Garda Síochána and the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), is transforming the enforcement of motor insurance offences in Ireland. The IMID provides a single, up-to-date resource which enables Gardaí at the roadside to identify uninsured vehicles more easily and get them off the roads.
Legislative changes that came into effect on 31 March 2025 mean that drivers attempting to renew or take our new motor insurance policies from that date are required to provide their driver number to the insurer. The insurer then validates this against the Department of Transport's National Vehicle and Driver File NVDF) database of licenced drivers. Insurers then submit the policy information including driver number to IMID, which is then shared with An Garda Síochána.
As reported by An Garda Síochána, IMID is being used very successfully by them to combat uninsured driving.
