I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. There has been significant investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure in recent years. The capital expenditure for building works in military installations and barracks across the country for the past five years was approximately €170 million, and for this year alone is close to €70 million. In particular, the development of accommodation for new recruits has been a priority for the Department. In terms of the existing Defence Forces residential housing stock in the Curragh Camp, of 104 residential units, 63 residential properties are uninhabitable. None of these properties can be brought up to a habitable standard without significant work, and many were built prior to the introduction of building regulations. Consultants were commissioned to assess the condition of the Defence Forces vacant housing stock and its suitability for conversion or refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Forces personnel. That consultancy reported its recommendations on refurbishment projects last year. My officials have since engaged with the Defence Forces to have those projects included in the existing infrastructure development programme. I am advised that work is actively under way to prepare the necessary tender documentation, with a view to commencing a procurement process this year. There is currently an extensive programme of investment in accommodation for serving Defence Forces personnel across all military installations. Since the launch of the infrastructure development plan in January 2020, numerous accommodation projects, at a combined cost of approximately €49 million, have been completed and have provided 775 beds. The Deputy may also wish to know that a steady pipeline of accommodation projects is being progressed. These are expected to significantly increase accommodation capacity in the coming years. As I said in an earlier reply, only last week, I was at Haulbowline, the naval base in Cork, where we opened state-of-the-art accommodation with over 70 beds. That was in some of the older infrastructure, thereby making sure we protect our heritage and protect our older buildings, where possible, but also making sure that our new recruits are living and operating in new, modern facilities.
Sentiment score: 0.18
I agree that we need action. We need to make sure that the money we have allocated, all €1.7 billion of it, in particular the money that is specific to accommodation, is spent and that projects are ready to go.
Sentiment score: 0.47
In this year alone, we are up to €70 million, and that includes accommodation, but also dining facilities, a new gym and overall critical infrastructure. It will be over €400 million in the coming years. We need to make sure that we have projects ready to go and lined up. As I said, 63 residential properties have been identified as uninhabitable. The projects that are being progressed include refurbishment of block one in Collins Barracks, modular accommodation in Haulbowline, the conversion of houses Nos. 2 and 5 in Casement Aerodrome, the refurbishment of cadet accommodation in Haulbowline, the refurbishment of the cadets’ mess accommodation in Haulbowline, the refurbishment of blocks A, B, C, D, E and F in Stephens Barracks, and there is also Cathal Brugha Barracks, the Curragh, Gormanston and Casement Aerodrome. These are all projects that are under way. On top of that, the projects that have been completed to date include Pearse Barracks, the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Casement Aerodrome, McKee Barracks and Haulbowline. A huge amount of work has been done in recent years. As I said, a huge number of projects are currently under way.
Sentiment score: 0.01
I have been in the Curragh a number of times. It is synonymous with the Defence Forces and is long-standing in terms of what it has provided and supported for Defence Forces members for many years, including accommodation and training on the grounds. I want to do everything possible to invest in new infrastructure but also to bring what is derelict back into use and ensure we are making the best use of the infrastructure that we have there. That is why we are seeing a significant amount of investment, not just in accommodation, but more broadly in infrastructure across the Curragh and all of the various different barracks and areas that I have mentioned. It is important to stress that we have a Defence Forces infrastructure development plan. It has set out the delivery of these projects from 2023 to 2027, many of which have already been delivered. With the new capital plan, the intention is to make sure that we have a new stream of works and more projects that are ready to go, including projects like the one at the Curragh. As more funding comes on stream, or as additional funding is added to our capital plan mid-term, I hope that we will have more projects ready to go and that we will be able to continue that steady stream of investment.
Sentiment score: 0.35
We need to look at all of the stock in the Defence Forces. We need to make sure that where we can refurbish, we are doing that, and where we need to build new, we are doing that, but also that we are looking at other options, whether with the local authorities or other associations. I am happy to look at any proposals or suggestions that the Deputy has raised. More broadly, the Deputy spoke about it as a community. I work very closely with somebody who went to school in the Curragh, so I understand that we are not just talking about people who are training but their families living onsite and going to school there. It is a community. We want to make sure that it maintains that sense of community, given its importance for the Defence Forces overall. My priority is to make sure we continue to invest in it, and that where there is dereliction, we address that, but also that we highlight it and support the community that is thriving there. That is an integral part of our Defence Forces because the support the families provide to our Defence Forces is essential. Again, this comes back to the fact that if we want to grow and expand our Defence Forces, have greater capabilities and encourage more people to come into the Defence Forces, we need to make sure there is appropriate accommodation and services for them. That is a key part of our overall plan and objectives in the years ahead.
Sentiment score: 0.34
I am very conscious, as we all are, of the narrative that Ireland has not been spending enough and that we have not invested in the Defence Forces. I think we all agree that we need to do more and spend more. That is why, in the past six months, we have seen an increase in our overall capital plan for the Defence Forces of 55%. We have a new defence sectoral national development plan from 2026 to 2030. This is a comprehensive plan for the record €1.7 billion capital investment in over the next five years - an increase of €600 million, or 55%, on the previous baseline. This investment provides for the modernisation of the Defence Forces capability across all domains. In addition, the defence Vote group has been provided with the highest ever level of overall funding - an allocation of €1.49 billion - for 2026. That is, over time, an increase in spending on capital by 55%. Our increase in current is going in the right direction. In the upcoming budget, I will be hoping to increase that further. When we look at the investment itself, we see that each new investment is delivering additional capabilities as part of our commitment to delivering on a major programme of capability improvement in the Defence Forces. For example, I opened a number of different blocks and accommodation and supports for the Naval Service base, but also for our Defence Forces across the country. This is part of a range of ongoing projects including the development of the cadet school - we spoke of cadets earlier. By investing in the school, we are encouraging more. It also includes a new medical facility at Casement Aerodrome. We also have a new contract for the construction of an Army Ranger wing headquarters at the Defence Forces training centre. A record €83 million has been allocated this year. What comes through when I speak to colleagues at an international level is what we are doing when it comes to our new capabilities, particularly the military radar programme. This is the first thing that I have brought forward in our capital plan to make sure that we have the appropriate capabilities that we need in terms of long-range, land and air radar, given that the type of challenges that we are facing is changing and we need to be able to respond.
Sentiment score: 0.26
We are in a good place in terms of the increased investment that we have agreed to. I think we need to do more. I fully agree with the Deputy. My intention is that if SAFE, a fund that is applicable to all member states, opens up again, which I believe it will, Ireland should be applying for funding through SAFE. We should be using our own money that we are investing in Europe to be able to invest in our security and our defence. I fully agree. I think there is a belief by some that our military neutrality - the militarily neutral position that we have taken - somehow does not fit with us needing to defend ourselves by making sure we have the appropriate security mechanisms in place to defend our people and to work with other colleagues, partners, allies and friends across the EU and at an international level. When I speak to colleagues about the fact that we now have a new national maritime security strategy, it is something that is very welcome. Our maritime domain is seven times the size of our land domain. Many of the risks we are seeing now are not land wars, albeit that is happening now in Europe for the first time since the Second World War, and we are very clear that we are not neutral on that war. We now have a situation where we know there is a shadow fleet and other ways of bringing about the cutting of significant cables, hybrid attacks or other types of security warfare that is impacting us as well.
Sentiment score: 0.32
I agree. There are two things we need to do. First, we need to spend more and we need to spend wisely. The investment in our military radar programme and our counter-drone technology is absolutely essential. We are also investing in sonar equipment in order that we can scan our seabed and make sure we know what is happening underwater as well as above the sea. I also mention the sonar buoys that are going to be deployed from our helicopters and our Air Corps. We also have investment that is happening in new technologies. We are supporting the private sector to make sure we have the best equipment and the best technology, whether it is on Haulbowline or in the monitoring of our seas and what is happening. It is also about investing in cybersecurity, where An Garda Síochána has a lead, but also the Defence Forces now have their own unit within it to make sure their equipment is safe and cannot be interfered with by other outside forces. The second thing does not cost money. It is about engaging with other countries. We do a huge amount already. We are involved in PESCO programmes, European Defence Agency programmes and UN programmes. We are looking to see whether we can do more in joining more co-operative agencies, task forces and groups that are set up within the EU and beyond. Where we are sharing information and intelligence and doing it on a more regular and structured basis, we have a better picture of what the challenges are and we are better able to respond. I am determined that we will do both.
Sentiment score: 0.32
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 84 together. I am fully committed to supporting the Defence Forces to increase numbers and, overall, to strengthening our Defence Forces. It was positive to see the growth in numbers last year, with 790 inductions. I have set a target of 850 inductions for 2026. Indeed, overall application numbers for careers in the Defence Forces continue to grow, with a total of 16,510 applications received in 2025 and more than 7,000 received to end of March 2026. On top of that, the number of people who left last year was at an all-time low over the last ten years. Not only are we seeing more people applying, but we are getting our numbers up in terms of the overall inductions. The number of people who are leaving, because our retention figures are much better, is at a low over the past ten years. I recently visited the joint induction training centre in Gormanston barracks, an impressive facility in our own county, which is under expansion and will eventually facilitate the induction of up to 900 recruits per annum. Following investment of over €8.8 million, I officially opened the accommodation base in Haulbowline, as I have mentioned, which will accommodate an additional 74 personnel. The military authorities have provided the requested establishment and strength figures over the last seven years, which are set out in the table that is included with this reply. What we are seeing over the last number of years is an increase in that overall strength. Coupled with the increase in applications over the last three years, this shows that the enabling measures we are putting in place to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment retention numbers are yielding results. I will outline some of the measures. We have increased the maximum ages of recruitment and retirement respectively. This was aligned with the increased age for An Garda Síochána as well. It also includes the extension of private secondary healthcare to all personnel and the application of the provisions of the working time directive, which is something the unions quite rightly fought for and engaged with for some time. 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 up to 2029. There continues to be significant progress on pay with all personnel benefiting from a pay award in February with a further increase due in June. We now have a situation where our Defence Forces personnel are represented by unions at those pay talks, which is really important as well. Underpinning these and other measures, my colleague ensured that budget 2026 provided a record allocation of €1.49 billion, an increase of €145 million on 2025. These funds include provision for the recruitment of a net 400 additional members per annum. Opportunities for careers in the Defence Forces remain open via a diverse range of ongoing competitions including general service recruitment, re-entry schemes and multiple direct entry competitions for specialist roles. While recruitment and retention remains a challenge, and that is the case across a lot of our public sector, significant strides continue to be made on a number of fronts. We have record levels of expenditure and investment. We are seeing the numbers of people who apply and, importantly, the number of people who stay increase on a year-on-year basis. I want and need to ensure, as we all do, that we continue on that trajectory. If we are to meet our level of ambition 2 and go beyond that, we need to make sure we have a steady plan and are on the right trajectory, which we currently are.
Sentiment score: 0.33
We have set targets for 2028 and meeting them is going to be a challenge. I will not say otherwise. However, I believe that the higher the targets we set ourselves, the quicker we will reach them and the more we do to encourage and support more people to apply and also to retain our overall numbers, the quicker we will reach those establishment figures. In terms of the Naval Service, this year the figure has gone up again. It is now at 833. With an establishment figure of 1,094, however, there is obviously still work to be done. The overall figures show that of the 7,000 people who applied in the first three months of this year, 23% applied to the Naval Service. If 23% of 7,000 applicants in the first three months were applying to the navy, we are clearly starting to see the numbers increase, which is really positive. That is down to the fact that now, for the first time ever, we have a national maritime security strategy and are very clearly focused on how we can invest in the navy, its ships, fleet and personnel. We are now developing new equipment the Naval Service will use on our fleet. As part of the advancement of the new military radar programme, we will see new radar capability on our ships this year. In addition, the Naval Service will also deploy sonar equipment. We are focused on our Naval Service. We are going to invest in it and we are talking about how good it is. It does a huge amount of work. On a 24-7 basis, seven days a week, 100% of our exclusive economic zones, EEZs, are monitored. Of the eight vessels we have, four are out on rotation at any given time, as are two helicopters. Due to that and the support we have from the Air Corps, our EEZs are monitored all of the time. To Deputy Smith's comment, it is when things do not happen that we tend to talk about them but the fact is we have had successful monitoring, we are able to respond to challenges and we are working closely with other countries. We need to highlight that more. My ambition is obviously to be as ambitious as we can be but also to highlight what the Naval Service is doing and how important it is to us, and to encourage more people to join the navy because we want to grow it and we have more work to do.
Sentiment score: 0.29
We always need to do more in terms of retention. However, the fact that the numbers leaving was at a ten-year low is a positive sign. Notwithstanding that, as regards any measures brought to me by the unions, all of which I met in the first part of this year, I have given a commitment to actively work with the unions and overcome any challenges, particularly when it comes to overtime or working on bank holidays. That was raised recently and I also discussed it during oral questions recently. We are working through that. More broadly, if we want to get our numbers to where they need to be, we need to make sure we look not only at recruitment to the Defence Forces but also at civilianisation more broadly. That is the path we have taken with An Garda Síochána where it has obviously improved numbers. Everyone brings something different and significant to the roles as well. A new workforce plan is being developed by the Defence Forces, working with my Department, and I hope to be able to present that in the coming weeks and months. That will set out the overall figures and also what we need within those figures, how we get to those figures and, importantly, how we increase the number of civilians we have working within the Defence Forces as well. There is a greater need and role for civilians if we are to achieve the overall numbers. It comes down to making sure that we have a continued focus on investment in the critical infrastructure and resources that our Defence Forces use and need. It is about making sure, through public sector pay agreements, local bargaining and other negotiating options, that our Defence Forces benefit in the same way everybody else does. I stress again that it is very welcome our members are now, through the unions, around the table and part of the discussions. Any public sector pay agreement is about making sure that as issues emerge, we respond to them and that, more broadly, we highlight the positive work our Defence Forces do and the contribution they make, not just home but abroad. We discussed the triple lock earlier. The first thing that comes to everybody's mind is the work we have done in Lebanon and the unbelievable contribution our Defence Forces have made in that regard. We need to highlight that work and make sure it is seen as a worthwhile career. The Defence Forces are doing extremely meaningful work in very challenging and difficult circumstances.
Sentiment score: 0.36
I thank Deputy Ó Muirí for raising this question. Earlier this year, I launched Ireland's first national maritime security strategy. This is the first strategy of its kind in Ireland. It focuses on risks and threats to Ireland's national security and defence as a consequence of the assessed threat level, our geographic position and the fact we have a maritime domain seven times the size of our land domain. There is a responsibility and need for us to protect that domain and the critical infrastructure around it, and also to work closely with our colleagues in the UK, in Denmark, in the Nordic and Baltic countries, France and beyond, in identifying where those potential risks emerge and how we respond to them. Through the new strategy, I am paying particular attention to the security of critical infrastructure in our maritime domain. This is because, as we all know, many major undersea cables land on our shores, come across the Atlantic and transit through our EEZ. They carry significant amounts of global Internet traffic and financial data. From an energy perspective, they are absolutely critical for us. In addition, our energy sector is heavily supported by subsea gas pipelines and electricity interconnectors. The infrastructure is vulnerable to hybrid threats. The same applies to any other country. I stress that with any type of underwater infrastructure, we are all open to the new and evolving types of threats. Vessels from the Russian shadow fleet also present a significant challenge from an environmental perspective. This is something that has been called out significantly. I will outline some of the key actions in the strategy to respond to and be able to combat some of the concerns. First, we will develop the concept of a national maritime security centre, which will deliver a new whole-of-government approach to protect the security of our maritime domain. We will explore the opportunity for Ireland to host or participate in a regional maritime monitoring hub for the protection of critical undersea infrastructure in the North Atlantic. We want to strengthen regional partnerships, particularly with our near neighbours. Most recently, I signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK. We have a new memorandum of understanding with France and we are also looking at what other types of European initiatives we could join. We are working more closely with the private sector, which is absolutely crucial when so much of the equipment for underwater cables is from the private sector. We are also developing a comprehensive new legal approach.
Sentiment score: 0.07
When I meet colleagues, be it when I was in Poland last week or when we have colleagues visiting here, security is one of the key things we speak of, making sure that, from an economic security perspective, we are focused on it but also when it comes to the potential threats. The Deputy touched on it and mentioned the Russian shadow fleet, not least the fact that that shadow fleet is funding the illegal war in Ukraine. There is also the potential for an economic disaster. With our Presidency coming up, there will be a renewed focus on Ireland and the fact that we have a large number of visits taking place. Then there is also the critical infrastructure, be it our energy infrastructure or the huge amounts of data that are essential for much of our economies here but also that carry data right across the globe. We need to make sure that we have all the infrastructure in place to be able to identify where risks emerge and how we respond to them. The military radar programme coupled with the sonar programme we are developing, the sonobuoys, make sure that we have a full and complete picture of what is happening under our water and above our seas. The close engagement we are having with the UK, France and many other countries and the networks we are feeding into at a European level mean that we have a complete picture of what is happening. We are also making sure we are able to respond to threats as they emerge. I hope to enact before the summer new legislation which will give our Defence Forces even greater clarity in terms of boarding, inspecting and directing ships if they are where they should not be.
Sentiment score: 0.03
We have a huge amount of talent and a lot of innovation happening here. I think other countries are looking to Ireland and some of the work we are doing. On the same day I launched the maritime security strategy, I awarded a grant of €1 million through our Department to a private company that has been working with a university here. It is developing technology that can scan the seabed, look at gas pipelines and other types of critical infrastructure and identify where risks are emerging and how we respond to them but also maintenance and upkeep where that is needed. There is a lot of innovation happening here in Ireland, and we need to do more. The Deputy will know that our colleague, the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, is bringing forward legislation to allow companies where there are dual-use opportunities around security and defence to access funding in a way they have not done before. That is really important. What is also critical in the new national maritime security strategy is the development of a forum that will bring together the private sector, Government, State agencies and Defence Forces to look at the overall infrastructure and how we develop, protect, monitor and manage it. That will be a really important way to ensure that everybody involved here in protecting what is critical infrastructure and the security of our State is working together and that we have full sight of what we need to do. Work is under way at the moment, and I look forward to providing further updates.
Sentiment score: 0.37
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. I am advised by the military authorities that there are four vessels available for operations on a rotation basis. This rotation takes account of maintenance, crew training and rest periods. The strength of the Naval Service, as of 31 March 2026, was 833 personnel out of an establishment of 1,094 personnel. The military authorities have advised that the total number of personnel currently required to crew all vessels is 294. It should be noted that this figure is currently under review in the context of the overall force design process currently in progress, with a view to enhanced capabilities under level of ambition 2. Challenges with ships to sea have been well documented in recent years. In 2025 we saw the benefit of a number of initiatives which have been introduced in recent years, such as the doubling of patrol duty allowance payable. As a result of these initiatives, we have seen the number of patrol days completed by the Naval Service in 2025 increase by over 35% on the outputs from the previous year, so quite a significant increase. I reassure the Deputy that the regeneration of the Naval Service is one of my priorities as Minister for Defence. It is also, of course, a priority for the Defence Forces. This reflects the commitment in the programme for Government. It is reinforced in the actions required under the strategic framework to 2026, which was published in February of this year. To that end, I have had detailed discussions with the Chief of Staff on the need to have a regeneration report submitted on the Naval Service, and work is under way on that. The Defence Forces, in conjunction with senior officials in my Department, are working to have the report, and an action plan against which progress will be able to be measured, delivered to me as soon as possible. The joint actions of the Defence Forces provide a vital foundation for the new strategy. I am determined to strengthen our Defence Forces through investing in their personnel and capabilities in order that they can continue to protect and monitor our maritime domain against new and evolving threats.
Sentiment score: 0.28
Our overall strength, as of 31 March, was 833 personnel. We have an establishment or a target figure of 1,094. Obviously, we want to reach that, and we want to go beyond it if we are looking at level of ambition 2 and beyond. While I do not have the exact figures to hand for last year, as of 31 March this year a total of 39 personnel have been inducted, but that is just within the first three months. As I mentioned, of the 7,000 who have applied this year, about 23%, I believe, are applications to the Naval Service, so quite a large number are still applying. Thirty-nine have been inducted up until 31 March this year. In terms of the overall vessels and how they operate, it is not physically or logistically possible for all our Naval Service vessels to be at sea simultaneously. That is because they operate on a rotation basis. Furthermore, I refer to maintaining safe manning levels and preventing personnel burnout. That is why we want to increase our numbers, in order that we can increase our overall capacity. Again, I stress, through the ships we have out, and with the support of the Air Corps, we are able to cover and to monitor with technology and equipment our EEZ 24-7. Obviously, we want greater capabilities on top of that.
Sentiment score: 0.23
In relation to our ships, at any given time, something might arise resulting in a ship requiring unscheduled maintenance but, the vast majority of the time, it is a case of scheduled maintenance. Ships come to a certain point in their lifetime and go in for scheduled maintenance. It obviously takes some time to go through that process. That is why the ships operate on a rotation. The LÉ Aoibhinn is a new ship that we hope to be ready and commissioned in the third quarter of this year. Again, it is about making sure that scheduled maintenance happens as it is supposed to. Where issues arise and ships need to be taken in for maintenance as the result of unforeseen circumstances, we obviously need to respond as quickly as possible. I again stress that the physical presence of our navy ships is complemented by intelligence-gathering carried out by naval operations 24-7, 365 days a year, at the command centre in Haulbowline. That involves remote monitoring. In addition, Air Corps aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art communications and surveillance equipment. To the Deputy's point, these work very closely with An Garda Síochána, Revenue and customs. We recently saw a massive drugs haul involving the MV Matthew. That was the result of all of our agencies working together with all of the resources we have.
Sentiment score: 0.06
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 85 and 93 together. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. He would probably agree that significant progress has been made on pay and conditions for Defence Forces personnel, particularly over the last six years. I have met with the various associations. I met with RACO on 22 January and its representatives raised the issue of cadet pay with me. As the Deputy will know, the matter is currently on the conciliation and arbitration agenda. At that time, I said that I would see whether we could give further consideration to the issue beyond what is being done through that system. I have asked my Department to look at that. During those discussions with RACO, I also outlined that any cost-increasing claims have to be addressed within the parameters of public pay policy. When dealing with our public servants, including members of the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána, we have to work within that public pay policy. As the Deputy will be aware, different pay scales apply during the training period for both cadets and recruits. The current pay scale applicable to cadets ranges from €26,248 to €39,026, depending on various qualifications. In addition, cadets are provided with accommodation and meals free of charge for the duration of their training. This is part of the overall package. For many young people starting off, rent and food make up a large chunk of the bills they have to pay so the fact that these are included is very welcome and certainly helps with the overall costs facing cadets. Cadets are required to complete a training period that is approximately 11 months longer than the training programme provided to recruits. They have to complete this programme before they are commissioned and operational. When they are commissioned, their starting pay ranges from €46,359 to €51,748, depending on whether they came in as school leavers or as graduates. In the conversation surrounding the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces, it is important to point out that, in addition to basic pay, certain positions in the Defence Forces attract specialist and technical pay. There is additional pay to attract those with specialist qualifications. There is also scope for further income from duty allowances for specific duties carried out on an ongoing basis as well as the possibility of earning a tax-free duty allowance, which starts at €15,000, for a six-month overseas deployment. Many of those in the 128th Battalion, which is heading to Lebanon in the time ahead, will receive that allowance. Members of the Permanent Defence Force are a party to the current public service pay agreement. This provides for local bargaining. Parties can bring forward proposals up to a maximum value equivalent to 3% of basic pay, with 1% to be paid from the current agreement and the balance to be paid under any successor pay agreement. There is an opportunity to examine pay and conditions, including cadet pay, through that particular process. To the Deputy's question, negotiations are ongoing. The matter is on the conciliation and arbitration agenda. I would like to see that process concluded as quickly as possible. I have also asked my Department to look at other ways to support them on top of that. I can come back to that in my next response. It is about making sure we are investing in the physical environment and in our Defence Forces and that we are making it an attractive career, whether you come through as a cadet or through any other route.
Sentiment score: 0.20
In these six months, I have been clear that I want to see us do more for cadets. There are quite a range of entry points, starting at €26,248 and going up to €39,026. A person's entry point depends on whether they enter on the higher scale as a graduate or otherwise. I cannot step into another role. The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers has sent in a claim. This is being dealt with through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Those discussions are confidential. While I would like to resolve the matter myself, I cannot do so. However, I would like to see it resolved as quickly as possible. We may have an opportunity to increase pay for our cadets and other members, including recruits, through local bargaining or otherwise through the public sector pay agreement. It is essential that we look in the round at how to attract more people to the Defence Forces. Of course, an important part of that is pay and conditions. I accept that. We all know that. That is why, in recent years, we have made significant advancements on overall pay through the public sector pay agreements, on the health supports that are provided, on specific supports for those in the navy with particular programmes they are engaged in, on direct entry, and on allowances for specialised areas. More recently, issues around holiday pay, bank holidays and double time have been resolved. We need to make sure that, where issues and challenges arise, we respond to them quickly but in the context of the overall public sector pay agreement. As the Deputies will appreciate, this is not relevant only to the Defence Forces but we must make sure that our Defence Forces are represented and that, where there are increases, members at every level, including cadets, feel the benefits. I will finish where the Deputy has alluded to very clearly. Cadets are valued members of Defence Forces as is the work they do. I know many people who have gone in through the cadet programme and are doing really well. They are people we are extremely proud of in the roles they are in. We need to make sure we provide every opportunity for people to enter and progress within the Defence Forces and to continue the really important work they do on the ground at home and overseas. That is my commitment in the time ahead as Minister.
Sentiment score: 0.39
An investment in the men and women in our Defence Forces is an investment in our security and the security of our State. We all fully agree and we are all aligned in that. We all fully agree we need to expand and grow our Defence Forces and expand our capabilities. That means more money but it also means making sure that pay and conditions are as strong as they can be. We have made significant progress in the past number of years. Conditions not just for our cadets, but across the Defence Forces, have improved. Through public sector pay agreements, overall pay has increased. There has also been investment in specialities and particular roles as well as encouraging people to come in with different qualifications. I accept if somebody is coming in later in life with a mortgage and family, we need to be able to look at that and see how we attract those types of people and make sure it is viable for them. That is where accommodation comes in and where paying for meals and other elements are important. We need to make sure it is accessible to people and they are not living in Donegal and having to go to Cork. We are looking at where training takes places and are trying to address all the different challenges, particularly when we have increased the age threshold. I welcome that and I witnessed the impact that had on recruitment to An Garda Síochána. I also see how it is starting to trickle through when it comes to our Defence Forces. Both Deputies mentioned training. Whether it is maritime security strategy, the information sharing environment we are now part of at a European level, our PESCO programmes, the European Defence Agency or, indeed, the Partnership for Peace programmes we are involved in with the UN, much of what we do is around training. Our recruits are going to other countries and training troops on the ground there and exchanges that take place are a really important part of that overall training. For example, that type of exchange and training is a core part of the most recent memorandum of understanding with the UK. While I cannot speak directly to the Malta programme with Deputy Ó Fearghaíl at the moment, I am happy to follow up on that. I assure him that training and exchanges right across the EU and beyond and various different types of programme, peacebuilding or otherwise, are a core part of what we do. It is essential to the overall training of our own teams as well. The training we provide is seen as world-class. That is certainly something I am prioritising in every programme we are developing and in every exchange that is taking place with other international and European partners.
Sentiment score: 0.42
I would like to see this resolved as soon as possible. It was raised with me by the representative groups when I met them. Every effort to nominate an adjudicator for the conciliation and arbitration, C and A, scheme for the Permanent Defence Forces is being made to bring it to a conclusion. Efforts have been under way for some time. As the Deputy will be aware, the scheme for the Defence Forces is the primary mechanism for addressing industrial relations issues in the defence sector. It is a voluntary mechanism that provides structures for management and the military representative associations to engage on issues as they arise. I am glad these structures have helped to maintain positive industrial relations in the sector over a number of years. The scheme provides for an arbitration process to assist in the resolution of disputes that remain unresolved following engagement and that become the subject of formal disagreement. The scheme includes provision for an adjudicator and an arbitration board. Under the agreed terms of reference of the C and A scheme, the adjudicator and arbitration board appointments are mutually agreed by both sides. While an arbitration board is currently in situ, the matter of the appointment of an adjudicator remains under consideration. For that reason, it is something that has to be mutually agreed on both sides. There has been considerable engagement between the Department of Defence, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the military representative associations on the appointment. I look forward to the matter being resolved in the near future. I will continue to engage with all those involved to make sure we can have an individual who is mutually agreed by both sides. The Deputy will agree that the work the body does is essential so we need to make sure that it is functioning in the way that it should and that we have someone appointed as quickly as possible.
Sentiment score: 0.29
While the post of adjudicator under this scheme has been vacant, it has not prevented the continued operation of the scheme. It is important to stress that. We want to make sure someone is appointed as quickly as possible but it has not prevented the operation of the scheme. We have engagement between the official side and the military representative associations. That has continued through the conciliation councils, where appropriate, and through facilitation as well. The Deputy will be aware the revised scheme introduced in April 2024 strengthened the role of the independent chairperson and placed a greater emphasis on early and structured facilitation with the objective of resolving matters before escalating to the adjudication or the arbitration. It is working and it is important it continues to work but I fully agree and appreciate it is important we have someone appointed as soon as possible. I will continue to work with all of those involved to make sure a person everyone can be supportive of is appointed as soon as possible.
Sentiment score: 0.36