Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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37. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to outline the Defence Forces' anti-drone technology capability; if he has any plans to upgrade it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22159/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence.

The current Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) radar system and missile system are approaching obsolescence and as a result the development of a new air defence system is a key priority. The Commission report highlighted the requirement for a new air defence system which is compatible with and integrated into the Recognised Air Picture and also recommended for the development of anti-drone or Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities. This recommendation was accepted in principle in the subsequent High Level Action Plan.

On foot of this, in 2023 a civil-military Working Group on UAS detection and counter UAS technology was established. The Working Group commenced a study of national and international best practice, and regulatory requirements, in order to see how UAS detection and counter UAS technology can best be deployed in the context of enhancing the capacity of the Defence Forces to carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.

The research at this early phase determined the Counter UAS project overlapped significantly in terms of resources, management and technology with the ground based air defence project which is part of the Military Radar Programme. Consequently, a significant element of Counter UAS capability was brought within the scope of the Military radar programme thus ensuring resource commonalities are managed under one programme and avoiding duplication of effort.

This work is ongoing, it’s a complex programme and will take time to deliver. The needs phase is underway which sets out strategic rationale and the programme scope. This phase should not be underestimated given the importance and complexity of the programme due to evolving technologies in this domain. On the conclusion of the ground based air defence project, the State will have enhanced its capability to protect vital installations and for force protection for troops at home and overseas.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the arrangements in place when retired Defence Forces' personnel who are fully trained in paramedical and advanced paramedical skills while in the Defence Forces can easily move to work in the HSE or National Ambulance Service; if he is aware of any issues with the recognition of service carried out while they were serving members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22142/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Defence Forces medical capability encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including doctors (Medical Officers), dentists, physiotherapists, pharmacists and psychologists. Pre-hospital practitioners such as Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics are an integral and essential part of the service delivery component of the Medical Corps, and serve at home and abroad in medical appointments. By definition they are Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) -registered and must comply with specific requirements (i.e. currency in Clinical Practice Guidelines and adequate clinical exposure to maintain their skills) before being granted Practice Privileges by the Director of Medical Branch to act on behalf of the Defence Forces.

I am informed that the Defence Forces is currently unaware of any issues with the recognition of prior service of any licensed paramedic who has made the move to HSE or the National Ambulance Service after retiring from the Defence Forces. I am further informed that any requirements for a PHECC practitioner to work with the HSE and/or the National Ambulance Service is a matter for those bodies to determine. The Defence Forces does not have any arrangements in place in this regard with either organisation.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to report on any development in relation to works on the slipway at Lawrence Cove, Bere Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22108/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My officials have been engaged with the Defence Forces Engineering Corps on this matter. I am advised that further specialist advice in terms of marine structural and civil engineering is required to assess the required works and a procurement process will shortly be launched to obtain consultancy services in this regard.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Military management has advised that 104 EU Battlegroup appointments have been made to date, and the expectation is that the remaining posts will be fully filled in the coming months in advance of the first EU Battlegroup 2025 training exercise in Germany in the autumn.

It is currently foreseen that the total number of the proposed Defence Forces contribution to the German-led EU Battlegroup in 2024/2025 will be approximately 188 personnel. This will be comprised of a Group HQ consisting of 4 personnel, Mechanised Infantry Company (with a Company HQ, Infantry platoons and a weapons platoon consisting of 139 personnel) together with a National Support Element (consisting of 29 persons providing the necessary transport, medical, CIS, maintenance and ordnance support) and staff posts of 10 personnel to the Force Headquarters. This overall number includes the potential for a further 6 personnel posts in a National Logistics Support Group to be based in Germany to aid the transport of Defence Forces equipment.

The Operational Headquarters (OHQ) will be located in Ulm, Germany, while the Force Headquarters (FHQ) is based in Strasbourg, France. Nine Defence Forces personnel commenced their posting to the FHQ in January of this year.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the educational supports provided to members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22098/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Training and education in the Defence Forces is conducted in line with national and international best practice, including the manner in which students are supported. On average, the Defence Forces conducts between 1,200 and 1,400 courses of training and education each year.

The Defence Forces is committed to the promotion of lifelong learning and the accreditation of Defence Forces training and education where appropriate. As such, the organisation has a number of collaborative partners across the Further and Higher Education sector, including the South East Technological University, Maynooth University, Munster Technological University and SOLAS. In addition to these partnerships, the Defence Forces operates a refund of fees scheme that facilitates personnel in accessing partial funding to pay for courses in which they are engaged in their own time.

The Defence Forces Policy on Specific Learning Difficulties (SLDs) provides information for Defence Forces training establishments, students and instructors on the supports available to personnel with SLDs. Guidance is available on disclosure, screening, teaching strategies, assistive technologies and assessment supports to be utilised. The Defence Forces has trained a number of Officers and Non Commissioned Officers as Student Liaison Officers to assist in the provision of these supports to personnel across the Defence Forces through the completion of a Level 9 Programme in Adult Guidance and Counselling. Defence Forces personnel are also supported to access further and higher education programmes through Recognition of Prior Learning and Work Based Learning Portfolios. These mechanisms allow access to programmes through non-traditional methods.

The Defence Forces has published its first formal Professional Military Education Strategy, covering the period 2021 to 2024. It builds on the Professional Military Education framework previously developed for Officer Ranks, as well as the annual Training and Education Directive.

The aim of the Professional Military Education strategy is to develop and maintain military capability by building on existing Professional Military Education concepts, incorporating 'best practice' approaches as utilised by other international military academies, Partner Nations, and national Higher Level Institutes in order to develop a future framework that clearly defines Defence Forces educational and career pathways, while also enabling an effective and progressive approach to the delivery of Defence Forces Education and Training needs. It will assist in ensuring that the Defence Forces attract, develop and retain high quality personnel and will underpin the capacity of the Defence Forces to fulfil the roles assigned by Government.

It is to be noted that expenditure on educational courses for members of the Defence Forces amounted to some €3.3m in 2023, a significant proportion of which relates to international training and education. The estimated expenditure for 2024 is €4m. These figures, exclusive of significant additional administrative overheads associated with travel and logistics, comprehend third level education courses across the entire range of academic qualifications, career courses, management training, and continuous professional development. Qualifications and training received are a significant additional benefit to a career in the Defence Forces.