Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
77. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how his Department plans on addressing the ongoing problems of understaffing in critical Defence Forces infrastructure, such as air traffic controllers; if his actions will be in line with the Defence Forces Group 2021 recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31237/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe military authorities have advised that as of 30 April 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,512.
Figures provided for 2024 and to date in 2025 indicate a plateauing of the strength. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years while the Defence Forces have advised that they are targeting 800 inductions at a minimum for this year.
Recruitment and retention of Defence Forces personnel is a key Government priority. As Minister I am determined to achieve real progress on this issue and I have been very clear with the Chief of Staff of my ambitions in that regard. Challenges undoubtedly exist, particularly in relation to the recruitment and retention of specialist personnel. This specific challenge is presently felt by employers across the economy at a time of effective full employment. Our focus has been on ensuring that frameworks are fully optimised and responsive to the needs of the Defence Forces while at the same time introducing a number of new initiatives in this space.
There has been significant progress on pay in recent years. Recruits on completion of training now start at €41,465 in Year 1, which represents an increase of 49% over the past 6 years. School leaver Cadets upon commissioning earn €45,341 whilst in full time education, while the pay of Graduate Cadets now commences on €50,667. These figures are inclusive of Military Service Allowance. A further pay increase of 1% is due under the current pay agreement in August, and several additional pay related items are being negotiated as part of local bargaining arrangements.
Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures and improvements to the overall benefits package to drive Defence Forces recruitment and support retention. 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. These are in addition to the extensive education and training opportunities provided to all personnel.
I am open to exploring options to continue to drive recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. Any proposed initiatives, including those as yet unimplemented recommendations in the report referenced by the Deputy in her question are given all due consideration by my Department but must inevitably be carefully assessed against operational requirements and broader public pay policy.
Specifically in relation to Air Traffic Controllers, my officials have engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to progress the extension of the service commitment scheme currently in place for pilots in the Air Corps to Air Traffic Control personnel. Following submission of a Memorandum to Government on 10th June this week, seeking the approval of the extension of this scheme to ATC personnel, I am happy to advise the Deputy that the proposal was approved by Government.
I am confident that the extension of the pilot service commitment scheme to ATC personnel, together with the other ongoing recruitment initiatives, provide a meaningful step towards stabilising and sustaining the Air Traffic Control service of the Air Corps into the future.
