Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
220. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the full implementation of welfare provisions in the working time directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46742/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra221. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence whether it is her intention to require the Defence Forces to pay for welfare provisions from existing resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46743/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence whether it is the intention to pay for the implementation of welfare provisions from pay deductions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46744/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 221 and 222 together.
The Deputy will be aware that as part of the agreed implementation of the Working Time Directive, a number of existing and additional health and safety protections, other than compensatory rest periods, were agreed for those activities deemed outside the scope of the Act.
Those protections for exempted activities formed part of 'Strand 2' and are encompassed in a letter to the Representative Associations.
This letter is clear that recreation and welfare facilities deemed necessary and approved by military authorities, where personnel are on duty for an out of scope activity or are on-call in barracks with respect to such activity, will be funded from central funds. This is in addition to gym and training equipment approved by Military Authorities which it also states will be acquired from central funds.
Another significant measure includes funding a home reunion flight to Ireland for personnel on a 6 month deployment, in circumstances where it is determined by the military authorities that annual leave cannot be taken in the mission area due to the security environment assessment. In addition, enhanced WIFI services in UNP 2-45 in UNIFIL have been put in place.
Military Management are continuing to progress the implementation of a number of these welfare provisions and a Defence Forces Working Group has been convened for this purpose. Funding requests from the military authorities beyond existing resources, for approved measures, will be sought in line with normal estimates process.
