Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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68. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures being taken to enable the Defence Forces to retain some of their most highly trained and experienced personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28136/24]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the action being taken to boost retention levels in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28125/24]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Currently, people are required to retire from the Defence Forces by their 60th birthday, which is causing a great loss of knowledge and experience. What measures are being taken to enable the Defence Forces to retain some of these highly skilled, trained and experienced personnel?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 109 together.

As the Deputies are aware, retention is not influenced by a single factor. Rather, multiple interconnected factors are responsible for retaining people in any organisation. In common with other militaries internationally, the Defence Forces are facing a challenging environment. As Minister for Defence, in addition to a programme of cultural transformation, my focus has been on stabilising the numbers of personnel and facilitating the capacity for further increases.

In light of the reports of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the independent review group, I have prioritised a significant programme of reform and culture change within the Defence Forces to ensure they are an equal opportunities employer, reflective of contemporary Irish society and providing a workplace underpinned by dignity, equality and mutual respect. The Strategic Framework Transformation of the Defence Forces, which I published last September, sets out clear targets for the vital work that is under way relating to the transformation of the Defence Forces and outlines the necessary actions to be delivered by the end of 2024.

A number of specific actions in the area of retention have been delivered, including significant progress on pay in recent years; an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 60 years for all personnel with a retirement age of under 60, which is a huge development we announced in recent months; an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39; increases to the patrol duty allowance to incentivise sea-going in the Naval Service; the extension of a Naval Service personnel tax credit for this year; the extension of private healthcare to all ranks in the Defence Forces, for the first time; access to free medical, physiotherapy and dental care; the provision of fitness, training and sports facilities across the Defence Forces' installations; the provision of fully funded opportunities to continue education to gain professional and academic qualifications; progress on the 2023-27 Defence Forces infrastructure development plan, with the highest level of financial resources in the State’s history; a revised policy on maternity and associated protected leave that is fully aligned with national legislation; a new policy on personal appearance standards; and significant progress on the removal of the blanket exemption for the Defence Forces from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, legislation for which is being drafted and on which I got agreement with the Defence Forces representative bodies. Following my approval of a final management position, formal engagement has commenced with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which will lead on the development of the appropriate legislative mechanism. There is also the implementation of a range of work-life balance and harmony initiatives.

Further measures that are being progressed include a review of medical services in the Defence Forces, with the review itself being progressed during 2024, and associate membership of ICTU for the representative associations to be underpinned by legislation, which is nearly complete in the other House. Following a competitive tendering process, Deloitte has been selected to support the Defence Forces in changing and developing a number of strategic human resource processes, including targeted retention practices. We are also facilitating the return of people who may have exited the Defence Forces to go into the private sector, who can now come back in. We have been fortunate in the past two years to have got a number of skilled specialists back into the Defence Forces after stints in the private sector.

Recruitment and retention are the key issues, along with cultural transformation, and we have prioritised them in the strategic framework we have set out.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Tánaiste. I welcome the move to 60 years of age for everybody who did not have that option. I understand it was proposed to go further and to bring forward legislation to give people the opportunity to remain with the Defence Forces up to the age of 62. What plans are there for advancing that at this stage?

There is only a short time remaining before the summer recess so is it envisaged the legislation for that will come forward over the next week or two? What kind of timeframe would be available or is envisaged for that? The loss of experienced people who still have so much knowledge and many skills to offer - who are to be pushed out just because they reach a birthday - does not stack up especially if they are still well able to deliver for the Defence Forces. Is there a move on that 60 to 62 years of age and will the Tánaiste give an outline on that?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That will be provided for in legislation that is under way. My understanding is that was agreed by Cabinet and will happen. It is a minor legislative amendment. I think it is in the justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill but I can confirm that for the Deputy.

Following the most recent pay increases of 2.2% recruits, after doing the leaving certificate or whatever, on completion of training - which takes approximately 22 weeks and can be done - will now earn €39,714 in year one equating to €761 per week in year one. Recruits will earn €41,000 in year two, and €42,425 in year three. A school leaver or non-graduate cadet, on commissioning, is paid €43,654 and this is a second lieutenant position. After two years he or she will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant and their pay rises to €48,990. When a graduate joins - in terms of cadets - when trained after 18 months the pay rate on commissioning begins at €48,990. These rates all include a pensionable military service allowance. By any objective standard that is higher than most comparable levels in the public service so we have dealt comprehensively with pay and conditions within the Defence Forces.

We have more to do. The culture piece we discussed all evening is key in terms of both recruitment and retention. We must also ensure the built environment is of a top standard and we are investing in every barrack in the country, and in Haulbowline and Baldonnel. We will develop a master plan for every installation we have and do this properly and comprehensively in terms of the physical layout. Am I going over time? Apologies. The Cathaoirleach Gníomhach is much more - sorry I should not say. I will make no comment.

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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You were on a roll, Tánaiste.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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First, I acknowledge the huge range of measures that have been taken to support retention, the likes of the working time directive; the various monetary benefits; the buildings and so many more. As the Tánaiste said, one could keep talking. There are a huge range of measures and I want to acknowledge that.

I will focus in on the age-related one. In particular, the decision has been made to extend the age to 62. People who are watching their birthday know the clock is set for them so if there is an indication of a timeframe on that it would be helpful.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To be fair, the move to the age of 60 was massive and was received very positively on the ground in the Defence Forces. I am conscious there are people who are nearing that age who are anxious we would progress the legislation to include the age of 62. I will come back to the Deputy with precise timelines. Whether we will get it through before the summer recess, or not, remains to be seen but I will speak to my colleagues in government because I think we are doing it through the justice Bill, if I am not mistaken.

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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It went through today.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Pardon?

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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It went through Second Stage of the Dáil today.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That was very quick. The Bill will move to Committee Stage and then go the other House as well. We have two, maybe three weeks for the other House to get the Bill through which is good news.