Written Answers Nos. 331-351
331. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Defence the steps her Department is taking to ensure we have the capacity to deploy anti drone defences outside Baldonnel airfield; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12888/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith Ireland assuming the Presidency of the EU from July this year, I have prioritised the delivery of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities for the Defence Forces.
Following Dáil approval on 3 December last of a Supplementary Estimate which provided for the accelerated procurement of C-UAS capabilities for use by the Defence Forces, contractual arrangements have been put in place to enable delivery of these capabilities during the first half of this year. In line with these arrangements, training of military personnel is already underway and the further roll-out of the required capabilities will continue to be accelerated this year.
With Ireland assuming the Presidency from July, for operational security reasons it would be inappropriate to make any further comment on this matter, at this time.
332. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent by her Department on funding NGOs, by organisation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11794/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent on funding NGOs by her Department, in each of the years since 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11812/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra334. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the assessments that are carried out to determine the level of Exchequer funding that any NGO receives from her Department on an annual basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11830/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding any direct lobbying she has received from any NGO in relation to her annual funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11852/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 332, 333, 334 and 335 together.
I wish to inform the Deputy that there are no non-governmental organisations operating within the State under the remit or aegis of my Department. Consequently, no Exchequer funding is allocated or provided in respect of such bodies, and therefore no lobbying activity arises in this context.
336. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the systems in place to agree performance metrics of Chief Executives of agencies within the aegis of her Department; the way in which these are measured; the person or body that carries out the assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11955/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, established pursuant to the provisions of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), which was placed on a Statutory basis on 1 December 2024. None of these bodies have a Chief Executive post. The bodies are supported by civil servants employed through my Department and who are subject to the civil service's Performance Management and Development System.
337. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the up-to-date position on the UN investigation of a recent suspect chemical substance release near the Blue Line Demarcation; if any risk has been identified by the UN to Irish peacekeeping troops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12006/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to firstly commend the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann who have served Ireland with such professionalism and bravery during the course of their deployments to UNIFIL over the years.
The incident to which the Deputy refers occurred on the 2nd February last, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) advised UNIFIL in advance that they would be carrying out an aerial activity dropping of what they said was a non-toxic chemical substance over areas near the Blue Line. The IDF advised that peacekeepers should stay away and remain under cover.
Peacekeepers could not perform normal operations near the Blue Line along about a third of its length and were only able to resume normal activities after over nine hours.
I have been advised by the Defence Forces that there is an investigation ongoing by UNIFIL HQ, however findings or results have not been shared with troop contributing countries to date. The incident did not take place in the Irish area of operations. All Irish personnel are safe and accounted for and continue to carry out their mandated tasks.
I will conclude by reiterating that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to the Government. Unfortunately, no mission is without danger, but I am assured that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure that safety of all Defence Forces personnel currently serving overseas.
338. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the procurement of additional assets for the Air Corps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12444/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Air Corps, Army, and 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 Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
Capital investment in aircraft continues with the placing of the following contracts in recent years:
• Two new Airbus C-295 in Maritime Patrol Aircraft delivered in 2023.
• One new Airbus C-295 in a Military Transport configuration. This aircraft was delivered in October 2025.
• One new Dassault Falcon 6X Strategic Reach Aircraft. This aircraft was delivered in December 2025.
• Four Airbus H145M Light Utility Multi-Role Helicopters. These aircraft are in production with phased delivery planned in 2027 and 2028.
Specifically concerning the procurement of future Air Corps assets, the rolling Equipment Development Plan (EDP) encompasses a programme of sustained equipment procurement/acquisition across the Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the Strategic Framework, the recently updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
This is part of the ambitious programme of work to move to Level of Ambition 2 ( LOA2) and will ensure that the Air Corps and the wider Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment required to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas.
Capital funding of €1.7 billion has been allocated to Defence under the National Development Plan for the period 2026-2030. The funding represents an increase of €600 million or 55% on the previous baseline figure of €1.1 billion.
Future Air Corps projects identified within these planning processes include:
• The procurement of a fleet of super-medium helicopters to replace the current fleet of AW-139 medium helicopters;
• The replacement of the Pilatus PC-9M fleet of fixed-wing training aircraft.
Both of these projects are underway and are in the assessment phase in accordance with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
I am satisfied that the ongoing programme of prioritised sustained investment in upgrading and enhancing Air Corps capabilities will ensure that the Defence Forces continue to be suitably equipped to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.
339. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence to list, for each of the last 20 years, the size of each of the branches of the Defence Forces. [12450/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to provide a response within the time frame available. I will respond to the Deputy when the information requested is to hand.
|
Year |
FTE Strength Figure |
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
|
2005 |
10,446 |
8,539 |
852 |
1,055 |
|
2006 |
10,477 |
8,536 |
865 |
1,076 |
|
2007 |
10,434 |
8,512 |
845 |
1,077 |
|
2008 |
10,409 |
8,507 |
832 |
1,070 |
|
2009 |
9,963 |
8,119 |
809 |
1,035 |
|
2010 |
9,550 |
7,752 |
766 |
1,032 |
|
2011 |
9,438 |
7,654 |
790 |
994 |
|
2012 |
9,359 |
7,517 |
787 |
1,055 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
WTE Strength figure |
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
|
2013 |
9,318 |
7,504 |
786 |
1,028 |
|
2014 |
9,279 |
7,456 |
766 |
1,057 |
|
2015 |
9,140 |
7,309 |
748 |
1,083 |
|
2016 |
9,126 |
7,332 |
704 |
1,090 |
|
2017 |
9,173 |
7,386 |
734 |
1,053 |
|
2018 |
8,957 |
7,243 |
725 |
989 |
|
2019 |
8,659 |
7,002 |
721 |
936 |
|
2020 |
8,568 |
6,920 |
746 |
902 |
|
2021 |
8,456 |
6,830 |
751 |
875 |
|
2022 |
7,966 |
6,460 |
708 |
798 |
|
2023 |
7,550 |
6,136 |
689 |
725 |
|
2024 |
7,557 |
6,099 |
739 |
719 |
|
2025 |
7,756 |
6,184 |
765 |
807 |
340. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces in last 50 years and the reason it has changed to its current figure. [12451/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to provide a response within the time frame available. I will respond to the Deputy when the information requested is to hand.
|
Year |
Establishment Figure |
|
1977 - 1978 |
16,497 |
|
1979 - 1995 |
17,978 |
|
1996 - 1999 |
11,500 |
|
2000 - 2011 |
10,500 |
|
2012 - 2022 |
9,500 |
|
2023 - 2024 |
9,600 |
|
2025 – Present |
9,739 |
341. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Defence her views on the way in which Ireland can combat shadow fleet ships in its Exclusive Economic Zone, considering the significant potential for devastating environmental incidents if these ships sank. [1754/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Defence I am acutely aware of the threats the shadow fleet ships can pose. Due to our geographic position, strengthening Ireland's maritime security is a key priority for me and I look forward to publishing our new Maritime Security Strategy in the coming weeks.
Ireland is combatting threats arising from the Shadow Fleet ships through a combination of international legal frameworks, robust EU sanctions, and enhanced domestic surveillance. Ireland welcomed the adoption of the EU's 19th sanctions package in October, which increased the number of vessels subject to port access bans to a total of 557 vessels. It also included the listing of maritime registries that provide false flags, and a ban on providing reinsurance to shadow fleet vessels, all of which serve to severely limit their legal ability to operate. In December, a further 41 vessels and shadow Fleet enablers were listed bringing the EU total to almost 600. Ireland supports further sanctions measures to target the Shadow Fleet and the enablers within the wider eco-system.
The Foreign Affairs Council at its meeting in December 2025 adopted a Declaration of the European Union and its Member States on making full use of the international law of the sea framework relating to threats from the shadow fleet and to the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.
The Naval Service and Air Corps continue to carry out Maritime Defence and Security Operations within Ireland’s territorial sea and the Irish EEZ. Any vessels transiting through these maritime zones must do so in compliance with international law and may be subject to sighting and observation by the Naval Service and Air Corps, without their innocent passage or freedom of navigation being infringed. In addition to at-sea monitoring, the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline carries out remote monitoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For information for the Deputy, the Minister for Transport, through the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), serves as the National Competent Authority for marine pollution. The IRCG maintains the National Contingency Plan and is prepared to coordinate a national response to any oil or hazardous substance spill within our EEZ. Under the Sea Pollution Acts, the Minister for Transport has specific powers of intervention to prevent or minimise pollution following a maritime casualty.
342. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence if she will commit to not bringing bring forward legalisation to abolish the triple lock until it has first been put to a referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8643/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been a number of calls for a public plebiscite in relation to the Government's proposed changes to the Triple Lock.
The Government's clear, and repeatedly outlined, view is that amending the legislation which governs how we deploy our Defence Forces overseas does not require a referendum or national plebiscite.
This mechanism is not set out in our constitution – it is set down in national legislation, the Defence (Amendment) Act 1960 as amended.
The Triple Lock is a statutory mechanism rather than a constitutional one. It is not enshrined in the Constitution. It originated as a political commitment during the Nice and Lisbon Treaty processes, not as a constitutional or legal obligation.
It is therefore the Government's view that amending the legislation which governs how we deploy our Defence Forces overseas does not require a national plebiscite.
The Government has agreed that a new process is needed to replace the current system governing the overseas deployments of our Defence Forces to take part in peace support operations, which effectively allows the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council members to bind Ireland’s hands in its international engagement.
This creates a situation in which Ireland's sovereign decision making with regard to participation in peace operations can be impacted by the geopolitical interests of other states.
By amending the legislation, we are ensuring our continued compliance with the highest standards of international law without surrendering our own sovereignty.
The Government remains fully committed to maintaining democratically accountable arrangements that will govern the despatch of Defence Forces personnel overseas. I can also offer reassurance, as have my predecessors have on this matter, that any legislative proposals will remain fully consistent with the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Furthermore, this Government has been clear that the proposed changes and the removal of the Triple Lock will do nothing to alter or undermine Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
The publication of this Bill is a key priority for myself and for the Government this term. The drafting of the Bill is continuing in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. It is my intention to bring the Bill for approval to Government as soon as possible following the conclusion of the drafting process and subsequently begin its progress through the Oireachtas.
343. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Defence if she will consider reducing height restrictions for the Irish Army; the number of persons who have been refused in each of the years 2019 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12177/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCandidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific standards for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended and extended. These Regulations provide for a minimum height requirement for enlistment for both male and female candidates of 157.48cm.
The determination of a minimum height standard for enlistment in the Defence Forces is based on the ergonomic requirement that all members can meet the physical demands of military training and operations thereafter, with service Personal Load Carrying Equipment, whether they are at home or overseas.
The following table contains figures for the number of applicants for entry to the Defence Forces who were unsuccessful on height grounds between 2019 and 31 January 2026:
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026* |
|
Army |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Naval Service |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Air Corps |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
* as of 31 January 2026
The conditions for entry to and for service in the Defence Forces, including the methodology used for assessments, are subject to continuous review and modification having regard to the needs of the organisation, health and safety and the development of best practices.
344. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the delivery of the new integrated monitoring and surveillance system, including radar upgrades across maritime, land and air domains; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12807/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne 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).
Amongst its recommendations on capability development, 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 very 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.
My Department initially engaged with a large number of countries, including all EU Member States, to ascertain their interest in supporting Ireland to deliver this capability. Based on the responses received, bi-lateral discussions took place with a smaller number of countries last year, with a view to assessing options for delivery.
That phase of the process concluded towards the end of last year when the Preliminary Business Case for the Military Radar Programme was approved. This concluded that a Government-level approach with one country was the preferred option and, in line with this approach, my Department has commenced detailed negotiations with France on a potential agreement for the delivery of all capability requirements under the Programme.
Full delivery of the Programme will be complex; but has been prioritised with a target date of 2028 identified in the updated CODF Detailed Implementation Plan which I published last week. That being said, elements of this capability will be rolled out in phases, starting this year with a particular focus on Counter-UAS capabilities, with a view to full delivery being achieved by the end of 2028.
To supplement the Recognised Air Picture that will emerge from the Military Radar Programme, my Department is also making progress in enhancing the Recognised Maritime Picture. My Department announced in June 2025 that a contract had been awarded for sonar capability which will be used by the Naval Service to monitor subsea activities. This is another strand of work being progressed to identify any potential threats in our maritime domain. This is a complex project and a new capability, so work in training personnel and establishing the procedures and structures required within the Defence Forces has commenced, and will continue in the period up to the delivery and operationalisation of the system, with initial deliveries planned for 2027, in line with the commitment contained in the new Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces which I also published last week.
With these projects, the Defence Forces will have enhanced state of the art systems for conducting monitoring and surveillance activities in the air, on the surface and below the sea-surface.
345. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Defence the way the recommendations of the independent review group and the Commission on the Defence Forces are being implemented, including reforms to leadership structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12808/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Defence, last week , I published a new Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces and an update to the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces.
The Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces was developed with the purpose of bringing together into one overarching document the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose organisation, ready to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. It builds on the work of the first Strategic Framework that was published in September 2023 and draws from various reports and plans in place including the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) and the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces (the ‘IRG Report’).
The updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces follows a similar format and style to the original Detailed Implementation Plan, published in 2023. It sets out the timelines for the delivery of the 130 recommendations. The Report of the CODF highlighted five core areas that must be addressed, on foot of policy decisions in relation to level of ambition and budget. These five core areas are now captured as five Strategic Objectives, which are:
Strategic HR and Cultural Change to be Delivered;
New Command and Control (C2) and Joint Structures of the Defence Forces to be established;
Services to be Reformed and Restructured;
Reserve Defence Force to be Revitalised; and
Joint Capability Development to be Implemented.
The actions to be taken under each strategic objective are outlined, along with the timelines for so doing. The Strategic Framework sets out the specific actions to be taken over the next 12 months which includes the recommendations of the Independent Review Group report.
To support implementation, the Framework sets out the governance and reporting arrangements to oversee this transformation and bring transparency and accountability to the work. These arrangements include:
• The Secretary General of the Department of Defence and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces reporting on the delivery of actions to the Minister for Defence, through a quarterly Strategic Framework Review Meeting.
• The External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces will monitor and report on progress on the delivery of actions on foot of the IRG Report and oversee and monitor the management of human resources in the Defence Forces.
• The Implementation Oversight Group and the High-Level Steering Board tasked to oversee and drive progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces approved by Government.
Significant progress has already been made in the implementation of the IRG report recommendations :
• An External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces was established in April 2023, initially on a non-statutory basis. The Body was established on a statutory basis from 1 December 2024. The Body is a critical element in driving and achieving the goal of culture change throughout the Defence Forces
• A Tribunal of Inquiry was established by Statutory Instrument on 20 June 2024, (S.I. 304 of 2024), to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
• The Tribunal also has the power to investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air Corps’ headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
• The National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) have been engaged to conduct a study of deaths by suicides of both current and former members of the Defence Forces.
• The Defence Act 1954, was amended to provide that the Garda Síochána have sole jurisdiction within the State to investigate alleged sexual offences committed by persons subject to military law.
• A new independent and external grievance system that deals with complaints of an interpersonal nature of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and victimisation in the workplace is available to serving members of the Defence Forces (both PDF and RDF). The new process is available for an initial 12 months trial basis and a review of the process at that stage will inform the primary legislation required to establish a suitable complaints process for serving members of the Defence Forces on a statutory basis.
• The proposal of the Working Group established to develop a complaints process for civilian employees and civil servants working who work with the Defence Forces has been accepted and is being progressed.
• In tandem with this, the Defence Forces has completed its review of the current Redress of Wrongs procedure.
• All these processes form part of a wider review and redesign of the grievance management framework within the Defence Forces, which is aimed at building trust and confidence in complaints processes.
• The Defence Forces has developed mandatory Sexual Ethics and Responsible Relationship (SERR) workshops in cooperation with UCC. These workshops are mandatory for all personnel to attend, and more than 3,000 members of the Defence Forces have completed this training. While 4,600 members have completed Unconscious Bias Training.
• With the assistance of an external legal firm, extensive work is underway to ensure that the Defence Forces are compatible with the provisions of the relevant equality legislation.
• The Defence Forces have appointed a Senior Gender, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisor at Colonel level.
• There has been an extension of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces ranks.
In July 2024, Government approved the drafting of a General Scheme in relation to high level Command and Control (C2) to make appropriate statutory amendments in line with key recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces. I expect to be in a position to submit the General Scheme to Government for approval in May this year, as part of proposals for a wider Bill also addressing issues relating to Military Intelligence and Courts of Inquiry.
I am committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces and by focusing the timescale of the Strategic Framework to the next 12 months, it provides impetus and immediacy to this work. It is my intention to publish a revised Strategic Framework for 2027 and beyond, at the conclusion of this year’s Strategic Framework.
346. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Permanent Defence Forces, disaggregated by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service; the establishment strength for each branch; the projected strength for end-2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12909/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of the 31 December 2025, the latest date such figures are available for, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 7,756 personnel consisting of 6,184 Army, 765 Air Corps and 807 Naval Service personnel respectively.
The establishment figure for the Permanent Defence Force has increased incrementally since 2022 to 9,739 (7,573 Army, 886 Air Corps, 1094 Naval Service and 186 CODF posts to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces).
Working towards the achievement of Level of Ambition 2, Budget 2026 provided a record allocation of €1.49 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €145 million on 2025. These funds include provision for the recruitment of a net 400 additional PDF members per annum.
In order to meet government targets, the Defence Forces are making concerted efforts to increase recruitment. Opportunities for a career in the Defence Forces remain open via a diverse range of ongoing competitions including general service recruitment and Direct Entry, while the 2026 Cadetship competition recently opened for applications. Increased training capacity is being progressed and it is envisaged that, when fully operational, the Joint Induction Training Centre which has been established in Gormanston Camp will facilitate the training of up to 900 recruits per annum.
Last year saw an increase in numbers with 790 inductions to the Permanent Defence Force. I want to build on the progress achieved in 2025 and have set a target of 850 inductions for 2026. There continues to be very strong interest in a career in the Defence Forces with further growth again this year in the number of applications received. A total of 16,510 applications were received in 2025, which represents an increase of more than twenty percent on the 13,348 applications recorded 2024.
Government has introduced a range of key enabling measures to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment and retention. These include increases in the maximum ages of recruitment and retirement respectively, the extension of private secondary healthcare to all personnel and the application of the provisions of the Working Time Directive 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 while the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years.
There continues to be progress on pay with all personnel benefiting from a pay award delivered earlier this month with a further increase due in June.
Significant progress continue to be made on a number of fronts and the allocation of record levels of expenditure along with the multitude of initiatives in train is illustrative of my commitment to the Defence sector.
347. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who have left the Naval Service in each of the past three years; the number recruited during the same period; the current number of vessels operational and fully crewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12910/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset I want to acknowledge the on-going staffing challenges in the Naval Service. We have, however, made positive progress over the last two years.
A total of 2,827 applications to join the Naval Service were received in 2025, while 1,917 applications were received in 2024.
We had 162 personnel inducted into the Naval Service in 2025. This included significant growth in specialist recruitment with 24 inductions achieved, via Direct Entry competitions.
I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Naval Service, as at 31 December 2025, the latest date such figures are available, stood at 807 personnel which represents a twelve percent increase on the total of 719 personnel recorded at the end of 2024. The table below outlines the number of personal inducted and discharged from the Naval Service over the last 3 years;
|
Year |
Inductions |
Discharges |
|
2023 |
68 |
95 |
|
2024 |
97 |
75 |
|
2025 |
162 |
47 |
The increase in personnel demonstrates that the key enabling measures which the Government has introduced to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment are yielding results. These measures include: -
• an increase in the maximum recruitment ages to 39 and to 50 for Direct Entry Officer specialists;
• an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62;
• a doubling of the Naval Service Patrol Duty allowance after 10 days;
• the extension of the Naval Service Tax Credit until 2029;
• the application of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces in January 2025, subject to certain exemptions, and;
• the extension of the provision of private secondary healthcare to all members of the Permanent Defence Force.
There has also been significant progress on pay with the most recent increase awarded earlier this month, with a further increase due on the 1st of June.
With regard to the fleet, the Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight vessels. Four of the vessels are regularly deployed on Maritime Defence and Security Operations (MDSO).
Challenges with ships to sea has been well documented in recent years, however the number of patrol days completed by the Naval Service in 2025 reached 580 patrol days. This is an increase of over 35% on the outputs from 2024 when 428 patrol days were completed.
The Naval Service continue to maintain a constant presence within the Irish EEZ.
While recruitment and retention of personnel in 2025 has been positive, a holistic plan for the future of the Naval Service is required. I am due to receive a Naval Service Regeneration Plan from the Chief of Staff, which will set out a pathway for the future direction of the service, in the coming weeks.
348. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the current operational status of Collins Barracks, Cork, including the number of personnel assigned; any vacancies; planned capital investment in infrastructure at the barracks; the timeframe for delivery of any such works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12911/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra353. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently availing of military-provided accommodation in Cork; the condition of such accommodation; whether upgrades are planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12916/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 353 together.
Given the amount of data requested by the Deputy, it is not possible to gather the information required in the time allowed. I have asked my officials to provide the information sought by the Deputy as soon as possible.
349. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the status of the Reserve Defence Force in Cork, including numbers attached to units in the Southern Brigade; the level of training days completed in 2024 and 2025; whether additional supports are planned to improve recruitment and retention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12912/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra350. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces relating to pay reform, career progression and specialist allowances; the measurable impact these measures have had on retention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12913/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 with the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report published on 21 November 2023.
Of the 130 recommendations contained in the Detailed Implementation Plan, 54 are now fully completed (42%), with substantial progress underway on the majority of the remainder. This represents meaningful and tangible progress.
Attracting and retaining talented individuals and encouraging them to stay and enjoy a fruitful career in the Defence Forces is a key priority for me as Minister for Defence.
One of the indicators of progress is a reduction in attrition rates. In this regard, significant work has been undertaken over the past five years to address recruitment and retention, and I am pleased to say it 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. Work is well underway on development of the Defence Forces Retention Strategy, with support from an external partner.
In terms of recruitment , the Commission recommended that the wider benefits of membership of the Defence Forces should be a central feature of future campaigns and in that regard Grant Thornton have been engaged by the Department to assist in presenting the full benefits package. This piece of work will be completed in 2026.
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.
In terms of pay reform, a number of the the Commission's recommendations have already been delivered including ending the three-year “mark-time” period for Privates 3 Star/Able Seamen, granting these personnel the full Military Service Allowance; increased access to the Sea-going Service Commitment scheme, and replacement of existing sea-going allowances with less complex sea-going duty measures . Work is ongoing on its recommendation to establish a mechanism for regular review of specialist pay rates and allowances within public pay policy.
As Minister, my priority is to stabilise and further increase Defence Forces numbers, and in this regard significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last five (5) years. Under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, came into effect on 1 February 2026.
Other retention initiatives include:
• extension of private secondary healthcare to all personnel;
• extension of the Naval Service tax credit for a further five years until 2029;
• extension of the existing Air Corps Pilot Service Commitment Scheme by a period of three years and extension of the Service Commitment Scheme to qualified Air Traffic Control personnel;
• a new Professional Instructors Payment was introduced in 2025;
• an increase in the recruitment age to 39 years for those roles that had a recruitment age below that, and to 50 years for Direct Entry Specialists;
• an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62;
Augmenting the progress made in relation to pay and conditions, has been the removal of the blanket exemption for the Defence Forces in the 1997 Organisation of Working Time Act. The application of the Act is an important step in aligning the Defence Forces with modern workforce standards and improving the health and safety of every member.
351. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Defence the current capability of the Defence Forces to respond to unauthorised drone activity over critical infrastructure, including ports, energy installations and airports in Cork; whether counter-drone technology has been procured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12914/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Immigration, and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the national security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. On each occasion that the support of the Defence Forces is required, An Garda Síochána request their assistance and accordingly, any security assessments, and consequent decisions to seek support from the Defence Forces, are a matter for An Garda Síochána.
Following Dáil approval on 3 December last of a Supplementary Estimate which provided for the accelerated procurement of C-UAS capabilities for use by the Defence Forces, contractual arrangements have been put in place to enable delivery of these capabilities during the first half of this year. In line with these arrangements, training of military personnel is already underway and the further roll-out of the required capabilities will continue to be accelerated this year. The Deputy will appreciate for operational security reasons it would be inappropriate to make any further comment on this matter, at this time.
