Monday, 11 Sep 2023

Written Answers Nos. 213-233

Naval Service

Questions (213)

Alan Kelly

Question:

213. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if a new cadetship competition for the Naval Service will be launched in quarter 4 of 2023. [38092/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

There are no plans to launch a further cadetship competition for the Naval Service in 2023. The 2023 Naval Service cadetship competition was launched in March and closed on 26 April 2023, with 172 applications made.

Ukraine War

Questions (214)

Mick Barry

Question:

214. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the military training of Ukrainian troops in areas such as marksmanship, which is outside the scope of the mandate for the mission approved by Dáil Éireann; if he will explain the reason the mandate was exceeded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38098/23]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Micheál Martin)

On 21 February 2023, the Government approved the participation by the Defence Forces in the European Union's Military Assistance Measure in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) in such areas as 

• C-IED training (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices)

• EOD training (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)

• Combat Medical Training

• Engineering Training.

On 11 April, the Tánaiste approved the delivery by the Defence Forces to the Ukrainian Armed Forces of two suitable training modules - Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)/Combat Life Saver and Demining & Clearance. The TCCC course was delivered together with German Army medical trainers in Dornstadt, Germany, under the multinational Special Training Command (ST-C) in Germany, while the Demining and EOD Clearance was hosted in Cyprus from 24 April to 19 May, under the coordination responsibility of the Polish Combined Arms Training Command (CAT-C).  Consideration is currently being given to the provision of further modules of these training courses later this year.

On 25 July, the Government approved the Defence Forces' enhanced engagement in the mission and agreed an extended list of training modules for delivery by the DF.  In addition to the training modules already delivered, the extended list of training modules includes

• basic military training

• Do-King Mine Flail Training

• leadership training and

• drill instructor training.

The Government-approved list of training modules does not include marksmanship training.

All training to be delivered by the Defence Forces within the parameters of EUMAM Ukraine will be within the terms of the approval provided by Government.

Given that the mission is a training mission, the issue of Dáil approval for the deployment of DF personnel for participation in the mission does not arise.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (215)

Mick Barry

Question:

215. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with the French, British and United States of America authorities in relation to any military intervention into Niger or the Sahel region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38099/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I recently attended the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Toledo, Spain where there was a wide range of discussions, including on the Sahel and specifically, the ongoing situation in Niger. Ministers also discussed more generally the state of play on EU Common Security & Defence Policy missions.

At that meeting, I underlined the importance of effective engagement and stressed that a more comprehensive discussion on Africa is needed.

Attendance at meetings such as the formal and informal meetings of EU Defence Ministers allows the opportunity to engage with my colleagues to ensure that Ireland's interests and concerns in the evolution of the EU's Common Security & Defence Policy are well understood.

In my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have also had discussions with colleagues on the situation in the Sahel and particularly the recent coups in Niger and Gabon. These are very concerning developments. I expressed clearly our view that the priority is the return to constitutional order through democratic and diplomatic means.

I have not held discussions in relation to any military intervention into Niger or the Sahel region in my remit as Minister for Defence with my counterparts in the United Kingdom or the United States of America.

Defence Forces

Questions (216)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

216. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of serving soldiers in social or AHB accommodation, by county, as of 1 May 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38351/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The Deputy is advised that the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, as an employer, does not have information on the living arrangements of serving personnel that are not in Defence Forces accommodation, and is therefore unable to make a statement on the matter.

Naval Service

Questions (217)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

217. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has considered engaging with the Irish fishing industry to examine whether some of those who have recently been forced to leave the industry, due to reduced fishing quotas, could be deployed to fulfil roles in the Naval Service on a supporting civilian basis, similar to other jurisdictions and naval services. [38397/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

My Department employs civilian staff at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum and include craft workers (Electricians, Carpenters, Plumbers, Fitters, Welders etc.), services (General Operatives), administrative (Clerks, Storemen), healthcare professionals (Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists) and other specialist grades (Archivists, Aircraft Inspector/Instructor, Technicians, Quantity Surveyors, Draughtsmen).

The recruitment of Civilian Employees for military installations is an ongoing process, informed by the prioritisation of posts by senior military management.

Defence Forces

Questions (218)

Patrick Costello

Question:

218. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of applications made to join either the general service or cadet ranks of the Army, Naval Service or Air Corps over each of the past five years; how many of these applicants were invited to take part in training; how many of these trainees completed their training; the rank at which they were commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38401/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

It has not been possible to collate the required information in the time available. I will revert to the Deputy when the information has been gathered. 

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to the above-referenced Parliamentary Question and my original reply stating that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I am now in a position to do so. Please be advised that there is not an exact correlation between the three tables provided below as the induction and training process can straddle two years. For example, an induction early in 2023 could result from an application received in late 2022. In Table 1 below, the military authorities have provided the requested details regarding the numbers of applications to join the Defence Forces for the requested competitions, by Branch and year, from 2018 to 2023 (as at 31 July).

Table 1

General Service Recruit (GSR) and Cadet Applications by Branch and Year
		Army		Naval Service		Air Corps
	GSR	Cadets	GSR	Cadets	GSR	Cadets
2018	4,222	1,329	1,336	242	-	581
2019	4,573	1,201	2,192	192	-	754
2020	5,269	1,302	1,498	182	-	472
2021	5,137	1,088	1,572	207	-	465
2022	4,296	830	1,120	164	-	425
2023*	3,095	641	640	172	710	400

*Figures to 31/07/2023

There is a high attrition rate between application and induction and the reasons for this include a high percentage of applicants that did not attend at the various induction stages or failed the psychometric, fitness or medical tests. In the case of non-shows, the Defence Forces have been proactive in attempting to rearrange times that are more suitable to the applicant.

Table 2 below provides details of GSR and Cadet Inductions. All such personnel inducted undertake training.

Table 2

						GSR and Cadet Inductions by Branch and Year
		Army		Naval Service		Air Corps
	GSR	Cadets	GSR	Cadets	GSR	Cadets
2018	398	74	94	8	-	7
2019	401	78	102	8	-	10
2020	325	54	60	6	-	8
2021	377	42	65	8	-	8
2022	329	33	21	4	-	8
2023*	125	-	13	-	3	-

*Figures to 31/07/2023

There was no separate GSR competition for the Air Corps between 2018 and November 2022, as the Air Corps transferred recruits from the Army as required. In Table 3 below, details included under the GSR column during these dates relates to Direct Entry Aircraft Technicians and Apprentices who completed training.

Table 3 below provides details of those who completed training, by Branch and year, from 2018 to 2023 (as at 31 July). GSR applicants, on completion of recruit training become 3* privates (Able Seaman (AS) in the Naval Service). Following a 15 month training course, non-graduate Cadets are commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant (Ensign (ENS) in the Naval Service) while graduate Cadets are commissioned as Lieutenants (Sub Lieutenant in the Naval Service).

Table 3

						Completed Training
		Army		Naval Service		Air Corps
	PTE 3*	2Lt/Lt	A/S	S/Lt / ENS	PTE 3*	2Lt/Lt
2018	378	67	74	10	43	8
2019	266	66	83	7	25	9
2020	215	68	37	6	4	17
2021	304	59	47	4	29	10
2022	202	32	15	4	31	7
2023**	118	36	4	5	16	4

**Figures to 31/07/2023

The average turnover rate for General Service recruits who do not complete training has been around 30% over the last number of years. Recruits fail to complete their training for a variety of reasons. The realities of military life and the training requirements are not always suitable for some recruits or in line with their expectations of the role. In any position where there is a training period prior to appointment there will always be fall off at different stages of the process.

Defence Forces

Questions (219)

Patrick Costello

Question:

219. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of Defence Forces personnel, and their rank, who have been assigned to teaching in the Military College, Air Corps College or Naval College over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38402/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

I refer to the above-referenced Parliamentary Question and my original reply stating that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I am now in a position to do so. The military authorities, in supplying the details below, have advised that due to operational commitments it is not always possible to keep the same individual in the same teaching post for the whole year and in such instances the post will generally be filled by another instructor. Therefore, the figures provided below are the cumulative number of instructors assigned in each year rather than the number of posts filled.

The Defence Forces prioritise the staffing of these colleges with sufficient and suitable instructing staff. The requirement for such staff may vary annually depending on variables such as the number of students and/or courses etc

The following tables contain the number of Defence Force Personnel, by rank and year, who have been assigned to teaching in the Military College, Air Corps College and Naval College over the past five years. The 2023 figures detailed below are as at 1 September 2023.

The Military College	-				-
Rank	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Col	4	1	2	2	2
Lt Col	8	7	8	8	6
Comdt	9	10	8	9	10
Capt	6	7	8	12	6
LT	6	4	1	4	3
BSM/BQMS	6	6	6	6	5
CS/CQMS	9	9	8	8	9
Sgt	27	29	32	27	21
Cpl	17	16	12	7	17

Air Corps College
Rank	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Comdt	2	3	3	3	2
Capt	5	3	3	5	4
Lt	1	2	3	2	3
F/Sgt	2	2	1	2	3
Sgt	4	5	8	5	4
Cpl	6	8	7	6	8

The Naval College	-	-	-	-	-
Year Posted	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
CDR	1	1	2	1	1
LT CDR	6	7	7	5	7
LT (NS)	10	8	7	8	10
S/LT	3	3	1	3	1
SCPO	1	1	1	1	1
CPO	17	15	13	15	15
PO	19	17	12	14	14
L/SEA	14	14	6	13	3

Naval Service

Questions (220)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

220. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of marine engineer vacancies that were actually filled in the Naval Service in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38438/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The military authorities have advised that there were no Marine Engineer Officers inducted in 2022.

The establishment for Marine Engineer Officers is 30 and the strength in 2022 and 2023 is as follows.

Year	Strength
2022	29
2023*	28

*as of 31 August 2023

There is a strong training pipeline for Marine Engineers. The figures above include 8 personnel in training in 2022 and, following 2 individuals qualifying earlier in the year, 6 personnel continue to be in training in 2023.

Military Neutrality

Questions (221)

Mick Barry

Question:

221. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when he anticipates he will receive the report of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy from the forum's chair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38475/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

In order to build a deeper understanding of the threats faced by the State, and the links to, and between, our foreign, security and defence policy, I convened a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy.

The Consultative Forum took place over four full days in three different locations; on 22 June at University College Cork, on 23 June at the University of Galway and on 26-27 June at Dublin Castle.

The Forum was chaired by Louise Richardson DBE (formerly Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews).  The Chair is responsible for the production of a report to be delivered to me in the early autumn.   

Following consideration of the report, I will then decide whether to take recommendations to Government. 

Air Corps

Questions (222)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

222. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he plans to put out a new tender before the end of the year to replace Learjet 45 aircraft within the Air Corps. [38556/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

In January 2023, following a review of extensive Public Spending Code work carried out on behalf of the Interdepartmental Ministerial Air Transport Service Review Group, I instructed my officials to move the MATS project to procurement stage, considering both new and second-hand replacement capability, which can also provide a broader utility role, including strategic reach in crisis situations and medical evacuation.

Given the unknown delivery timeframes associated with aircraft procurements, and concerns around Learjet availability, I also instructed officials to go to the market for a contingency arrangement by way of charter aircraft, to limit the risk of a gap in the availability of a Ministerial Air Transport Service when required.

To that end a civil/military was established earlier this year to progress both procurement projects. Work is ongoing to finalise the initial stage procurement document for MATS which will be published later this year.

In parallel, a Request for Tender for the establishment of a Framework Agreement as a Contingency Arrangement for MATS was published in April. That procurement process is coming to a close and will be concluded shortly.

Information and Communications Technology

Questions (223)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

223. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence, AI, within his Department; if any section of his Department currently makes use of AI, and if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI. [38562/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

In line with the National AI strategy, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review.

My Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. I have been advised by OGCIO that they have deployed AI powered security tools as part of the overall security posture.

I can confirm that my Department has not engaged consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I.

Defence Forces

Questions (224)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

224. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the nature of refurbishment works that were carried out at Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny, in 2022 and to date in 2023; and if each refurbishment works project is completed or ongoing at present, in tabular form. [38718/23]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Micheál Martin)

The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The development and maintenance of the necessary operational and training infrastructure is informed by both financial resources, currently at the highest level in the State’s history, and military operational capability requirements.  The Programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for accommodation and training of personnel, maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and airborne operational requirements. 

The following refurbishment works were carried out at Stephens Barracks during 2022 and to date in 2023:

Year	Description	Status
2022	Renovation to H-Block for the provision of stand-alone remote working hub and upgrade to toilets.	Completed
	Installation of Photovoltaic Array	Completed
	Reroofing and associated works to Officers Mess	Completed
	Supply & Fit New Air To Water Heat Pump	Completed
	Internal Painting to various locations	Completed
	New Water Mains	Completed
2023	Internal Painting to various locations	Completed
	Repairs to Perimeter Wall	Completed
	Refurbish kitchen floor in Dinning Facility	Completed
	Refurbish office accommodation for Quantity Surveyor	Completed
	Upgrade to Block C for solider accommodation	Ongoing

Air Corps

Questions (225)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

225. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the second C-295 maritime patrol aircraft will come into the Air Corps fleet. [38941/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps 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 a contract with Airbus at a cost of €72 million, including VAT, for a military transport aircraft for the Defence Forces. The Airbus C295W aircraft is highly versatile and will provide a dedicated asset to support the Defence Forces military airlift transport requirements and provide a wide contingent capability. The aircraft will enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air ambulance, Special Operations Forces operations and a general utility role. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in 2025.

The programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is nearing completion with the arrival of the first aircraft in June this year. The second C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is expected to arrive into Baldonnel in quarter 4 this year.

Air Corps

Questions (226)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

226. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of cadet pilots in training and military avionics technicians currently in the Air Corps. [38942/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I am advised by the military authorities that, as of 31 August 2023, there are 92 qualified military pilots. In addition there are 20 trainee pilots comprised of 8 cadets completing military training, which is required before they commence their Pilot Wings course, and a further 12 officers undertaking pilot training.

As of the same date, 29 of the 172 qualified Military Aircraft Technicians (MATs) were Avionics Technicians. There is a strong training pipeline for MATs consisting of 48 apprentices who are undergoing their qualification process and will, on successful completion, be streamed into rotary, fixed-wing or avionics technician categories.

Departmental Funding

Questions (227)

Matt Carthy

Question:

227. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the funding allocated to veterans' associations in the years 2020 to date; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39280/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

My Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel, are Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA).

My Department engages on an ongoing basis with these Veterans Associations and with the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO), and has entered into Service Level Agreements with ONE and IUNVA under which an annual grant is paid to both organisations in order to assist with their administrative overheads. As a further means of assistance, since 2021 my Department has also secured total funding of €500,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects, and has applied for a further €200,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2024.

Details of total financial supports provided to the relevant Veterans Associations in the period 2020 to 2022, and funds currently allocated for 2023, including funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund, are set out below.

Year	ONE	IUNVA
2020	€100,000	€11,000
2021	€310,000	€74,773
2022	€245,365	€30,000
2023*	€294,635	€176,227

*Grants totalling €97,500 and €30,000 have been paid to ONE and IUNVA respectively to date in 2023. The rest of the allocations have not been paid to date.

Additionally, in line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government to "support the establishment of centres for members of the Defence Forces", my Department continues to facilitate, where possible, the establishment of further ONE Veterans Support Centres and INUVA Posts around the country.

Departmental Funding

Questions (228)

Matt Carthy

Question:

228. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the funding allocated to the office of veterans affairs in 2023; the amount expended; the estimated cost of fully staffing and resourcing the office, in line with the Report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39281/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The establishment of an Office of Veterans Affairs was one of 130 recommendations included in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces which was published on 9th of February 2022.

Following detailed consideration by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces of the recommendations in the report, a High Level Action Plan and a Memorandum for Government were brought to Government and approved on 12th of July 2022. The High Level Action Plan set out the response of Government in relation to each of the 130 individual recommendations: Accept, Accept in Principle, Further Evaluation or Revert. The recommendation to establish an Office of Veterans Affairs was accepted in principle, meaning that further consideration is required on the optimal approach to meeting the intent of the Commission.

Work is underway on preparing a detailed implementation plan which will be published in the coming weeks. The plan, when published, will set out how the implementation of this recommendation will be progressed and the proposed timeframe.

In the meantime, my officials and I meet regularly with the recognised Veterans Associations to discuss matters of concern to their members.

Defence Forces

Questions (229)

Matt Carthy

Question:

229. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has commenced the exercise of recording working times within the Defence Forces required in advance of introducing legislation to remove their blanket exclusion from the working time directive; the intended timeframe in which it is expected to complete the exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39282/23]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Micheál Martin)

As the Deputy is aware, the Defence Forces are currently excluded from the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive into Irish Law. 

I wish to assure you, however, that I am fully committed to ensuring that the provisions of the Working Time Directive are applied, where appropriate, to its members.  This is in line with the Government commitment to remove the blanket exemption in the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 for both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochana. 

Defence Forces

Questions (230, 231, 232, 233)

Matt Carthy

Question:

230. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of officers, non-commissioned officers and privates in the first-line reserve; the corresponding numbers in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39283/23]

Matt Carthy

Question:

231. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the remuneration packages available for members of the first-line reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39284/23]

Matt Carthy

Question:

232. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of applications to join the first-line reserve since January 2022, the numbers within that have been enlisted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39285/23]

Matt Carthy

Question:

233. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his proposals to increase the strength of the first-line reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39286/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 to 233, inclusive, together.

The First Line Reserve (FLR) is intended to provide a pool of trained personnel who are available at short notice to supplement Permanent Defence Force (PDF) units in times of emergency. There is currently no set establishment for the FLR.

The existing regulatory framework provides for former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) to join the Army Reserve or Naval Service Reserve. This is subject to their meeting certain criteria. Direct entry to the FLR is limited to personnel who are departing the PDF and have undertaken, either voluntarily or on foot of a contractual commitment, to complete a period of service in the FLR.

The Military Authorities have advised that as of 31 July 2023, the strength of the First Line Reserve (FLR) is 277, comprising of 3 Officers, 44 Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and 230 Privates. A table showing the strengths from 2016 - 2022 is included below.

The FLR is an area, which will be examined, in the context of work arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF).

As an interim measure, the Department continues to receive business cases from the Military Authorities for applications for officers wishing to join the FLR. The applications are assessed by the Minister on a case by case basis having regard to the particular skills-sets of the officer. Since January 2022, a total of 6 applications to join the FLR have been received and 5 have been approved.

In terms of remuneration, members are entitled to paid training days when they have engaged in approved active training. This would be in addition to the gratuity offered to members of the FLR. Training days are paid at the same rate appropriate to the rank and pay point of the officer.

I would point out that progress has been achieved over the past number of years regarding the RDF.

There has been the introduction of the new Defence Force Regulation DFR R5 in 2022; the recent deployment of Reservists overseas, which was made possible by the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021; and more recently, the establishment of the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) whose initial focus will be on a Regeneration Plan for the RDF.

I would like to assure the Deputy that it is my intention, and that of the Chief of Staff, to ensure that the momentum behind the regeneration of the RDF will be maintained, thereby enabling us, going forward, to create a Reserve Defence Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy with the Permanent Defence Force, both nationally and internationally.

Table: FLR Strengths from 2016 - 2022

YEAR	FORMATION	OFFR	NCO	PTE	TOTAL
2023 (up to 31 July)	ARMY		12	117	129
	AIR CORPS		5	22	27
	NAVAL SERVICE	3	27	91	121
	TOTAL	3	44	230	277
2022 (31 Dec)
	ARMY		13	121	134
	AIR CORPS		4	22	26
	NAVAL SERVICE	3	27	90	120
	TOTAL	3	44	233	280
2021 (31 Dec)
	ARMY		13	121	134
	AIR CORPS		4	20	24
	NAVAL SERVICE	3	21	89	113
	TOTAL	3	38	230	271
2020 (31 Dec)
	ARMY		14	118	132
	AIR CORPS		4	20	24
	NAVAL SERVICE	3	16	87	106
	TOTAL	3	34	225	262
2019 (31 Dec)
	ARMY	16	12	136	164
	AIR CORPS	2	4	20	26
	NAVAL SERVICE	17	12	85	114
	TOTAL	35	28	241	304
2018 (31 Dec)
	ARMY	16	11	130	157
	AIR CORPS	2	4	19	25
	NAVAL SERVICE	17	9	80	106
	TOTAL	35	24	229	288
2017 (31 Dec)
	ARMY	22	11	123	156
	AIR CORPS	3	4	19	26
	NAVAL SERVICE	20	7	62	89
	TOTAL	45	22	204	271
2016 (31 Dec)
	ARMY	25	10	109	144
	AIR CORPS	6	4	18	28
	NAVAL SERVICE	22	4	50	76
	TOTAL	53	18	177	248

Question No. 231 answered with Question No. 230.

Question No. 232 answered with Question No. 230.

Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 230.