Vol. 485 No. 3
11 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence the number of PDF at each rank, unit and corps who have availed of early retirement; the cost in this regard; the number of recruits for 1997 and the number planned for 1998; the number of officers and NCOs at each rank promoted in 1997; the number of these planned for 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23021/97]
A total of 129 officers and 1,106 enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force retired during 1996 and 1997 under the terms of the voluntary early retirement scheme. Details as to the number of officers by rank, unit and corps who retired under the scheme in 1996 and 1997 and in respect of enlisted personnel for 1997 are in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. A similar detailed breakdown of the information was not compiled in respect of enlisted personnel in 1996. A breakdown by rank and command for enlisted personnel for 1996 is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. The cost of the VER scheme in 1996 was £15.9 million and the cost in 1997 will be £29.7 million.
The enlistment in 1997 of 600 recruits for general service was authorised and, in addition, 46 cadetships were awarded to successful candidates. With regard to recruitment in 1998, I recently announced that I propose that 500 personnel will be recruited in two phases in 1998. The first intake is planned for around March 1998 and the balance is scheduled for around June 1998. The strength position will be reviewed in mid-1998 to assess the position in the context of achieving a target strength of 11,500 on 31 December 1998 as provided for in the Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan.
A total of 117 officers and 191 enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force were promoted to date in 1997. Details as to the number by rank so promoted is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. It is envisaged that the number of promotions in 1998 will be in accordance with the number of fillable vacancies arising during the year.
Number of Officers by Corps who Retired under the Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme in 1997 and 1998
|
Colonel |
Lieutenant Colonel |
Commandant |
Captain |
Total |
|
|
Infantry |
– |
3 |
43 |
31 |
77 |
|
Artillery |
– |
– |
5 |
7 |
12 |
|
Cavalry |
– |
– |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Engineer |
– |
– |
4 |
– |
4 |
|
Signal |
– |
– |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
Ordnance |
– |
2 |
8 |
1 |
11 |
|
Supply and Transport |
– |
– |
2 |
5 |
7 |
|
Medical |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
|
Military Police |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
|
Air Corps |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
|
Naval Service |
– |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
Army School of Music |
1 |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
Number of Officers by Unit who Retired under VER Scheme 1997 and 1998
|
Unit |
Colonel |
Lieutenant Colonel |
Commandant |
Captain |
Total |
|
Chief of Staff's Branch |
– |
– |
6 |
2 |
8 |
|
Adjutant General's Branch |
– |
– |
2 |
5 |
7 |
|
Quartermaster General's Branch |
– |
– |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
Headquarters, Eastern Command |
– |
– |
4 |
– |
4 |
|
Headquarters, Southern Command |
– |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Headquarters, Western Command |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Headquarters, Curragh Command |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
University Students Accommodation Compliment |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Army Apprentice School |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Military College |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters Eastern Command Infantry Force |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Depot Ordnance |
– |
– |
6 |
– |
6 |
|
1 Garrison Ordnance |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
2 Garrison Ordnance |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
3 Garrison Ordnance |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
4 Garrison Ordnance |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
Depot Cavalry |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
4 Cavalry Squadron |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
5 Cavalry Squadron |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters 1 Brigade |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters 2 Brigade |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters 4 Brigade |
– |
1 |
1 |
– |
2 |
|
Headquarters 6 Brigade |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters Southern Command (FCA) |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
|
Headquarters Western Command (FCA) |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
|
Survey Company Corps of Engineers |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
2 Maintenance Company Corps of Engineers |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
3 Maintenance Company Corps of Engineers |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
4 Maintenance Company Corps of Engineers |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
1 Field Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
5 Field Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
11 Field Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
1 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
3 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
4 Infantry Battalion |
– |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
5 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
6 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
7 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
12 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
|
13 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
14 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
16 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
18 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
21 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
22 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
23 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
27 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
|
28 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
29 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
30 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Command Training Depot, Eastern Command |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
Command Training Depot, Southern Command |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
2 Field Signal Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
3 Field Signal Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
6 Field Signal Company |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
4 Field Engineer Company |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
2 Field Artillery Regiment |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
4 Field Artillery Regiment |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
|
4 Garrison Military Police Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
3 Garrison Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
McKee Barracks Company |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
Clancy Barracks Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
Army School of Music |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
|
Air Corps |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Naval Service |
– |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
Total |
1 |
7 |
72 |
49 |
129 |
Enlisted Personnel Discharged under VER Scheme by Rank and Command 1996
|
Rank |
Eastern Command |
Southern Command |
Western Command |
Curragh Command |
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
Total |
|
Sergeant Major |
1 |
– |
1 |
1 |
3 |
– |
1 |
4 |
|
Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant |
– |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
– |
– |
5 |
|
Company Sergeant |
8 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
19 |
2 |
4 |
25 |
|
Company Quartermaster Sergeant |
10 |
10 |
5 |
6 |
31 |
– |
– |
31 |
|
Sergeant |
17 |
28 |
28 |
25 |
98 |
4 |
7 |
109 |
|
Corporal |
25 |
25 |
27 |
21 |
98 |
5 |
– |
103 |
|
Private |
46 |
50 |
35 |
23 |
154 |
7 |
1 |
162 |
|
Total |
107 |
119 |
101 |
81 |
408 |
18 |
13 |
439 |
Enlisted Personnel Discharged by Voluntary Early Retirement by Unit/Rank 1997
|
Unit |
Regimental Sergeant Major |
Company Sergeant |
Company Quartermaster Sergeant |
Sergeant |
Corporal |
Private |
Total |
|
1 Armoured Car Squadron |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
3 |
|
1 Cavalry Squadron |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
1 Field Artillery Regiment |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
|
1 Field Engineer Company |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
|
1 Field Military Police Company (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
1 Field Supply and Transport Company |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
3 |
5 |
|
1 Field Signals Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
1 Garrison Military Police Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
1 Garrison Ordnance Company |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
1 Hospital Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
1 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
3 |
7 |
11 |
|
11 Field Engineer Company (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
11 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
1 |
– |
5 |
|
12 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
1 |
6 |
8 |
20 |
35 |
|
13 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
3 |
– |
4 |
|
14 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
|
15 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
16 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
|
17 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
19 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
|
2 Cavalry Squadron |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
2 Field Artillery Regiment |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
|
2 Field Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
2 Field Signals Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
2 Garrison Military Police Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
– |
2 |
|
2 Garrison Ordnance Company |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
|
2 Garrison Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
2 Hospital Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
2 Infantry Battalion |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
16 |
|
2 Maintenance Engineer Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
20 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
|
21 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
|
24 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
25 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
|
27 Infantry Battalion |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
11 |
16 |
29 |
|
28 Infantry Battalion |
– |
1 |
1 |
7 |
18 |
25 |
52 |
|
29 Infantry Battalion |
– |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
6 |
17 |
|
3 Field Artillery Regiment (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
3 |
|
3 Field Engineer Company (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
3 Field Supply and Transport Company (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
|
3 Garrison Military Police Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
6 |
– |
7 |
|
3 Garrison Ordnance Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
3 Garrison Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
|
3 Hospital Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
3 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
1 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
9 |
|
30 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
– |
5 |
8 |
10 |
23 |
|
4 Cavalry Squadron |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
|
4 Field Artillery Regiment |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
2 |
5 |
10 |
|
4 Field Engineer Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
6 |
7 |
|
4 Field Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|
4 Field Signal Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
|
4 Garrison Military Police Company |
– |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
– |
6 |
|
4 Garrison Ordnance Company |
– |
– |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
|
4 Garrison Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
4 Hospital Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
4 |
4 |
|
4 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
1 |
8 |
12 |
|
5 Field Artillery Regiment (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
|
5 Field Engineer Company (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
5 Field Supply and Transport Company (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
|
5 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
|
6 Field Artillery Regiment (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
|
6 Field Signal Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
6 Infantry Battalion |
– |
– |
– |
4 |
10 |
13 |
27 |
|
7 Field Artillery Regiment (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
7 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
8 Infantry Battalion (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
|
9 Field Artillery Regiment (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
Army Apprentice School |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
3 |
4 |
|
Air Defence Regiment |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
Administration Wing |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
3 |
|
Army Headquarters Signal Company |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Air Support Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Army Co-Operation Squadron |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
|
Army School of Music |
– |
– |
– |
9 |
1 |
– |
10 |
|
Base Workshops Company |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
1 |
3 |
|
Curragh Command Supply and Transport Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
|
Curragh Command Vehicle Workshops |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
|
Command Training Depot (East) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Command Training Depot (West) |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
Depot |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Depot Artillery |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
Depot Cavalry |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
Depot Corps of Engineers |
– |
– |
– |
– |
5 |
2 |
7 |
|
Depot Medical |
1 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
|
Depot Military Police |
– |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
– |
3 |
|
Depot Supply and Transport |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
|
Depot Signals |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
2 |
|
Engineering Wing |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Equitation School |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Gormanston Camp Company |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
Helicopter Patrol Vessel |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters 2 Brigade |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters 6 Brigade |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters Curragh Command |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Headquarters Eastern Command |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
– |
2 |
6 |
|
Headquarters Eastern Command Infantry Force |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters Eastern Command (FCA) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Headquarters Southern Command |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
|
Headquarters Southern Command (FCA) |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
– |
2 |
|
Headquarters Western Command |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
|
McKee Barracks Company |
– |
– |
1 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
10 |
|
Military College |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
1 |
4 |
8 |
|
Military Detention Barracks |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
– |
2 |
|
Naval Base and Dockyard |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
2 |
|
Naval Depot |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
No. 1 Special Wing |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
2 |
|
Patrol Vessel Flotilla |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Survey Company |
– |
– |
– |
– |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Tank Squadron |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
Training Wing |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
|
TSD |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
|
University Students Accommodation Compliment |
– |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
1 |
2 |
|
Total |
2 |
13 |
29 |
104 |
179 |
244 |
571 |
Promotions
1 January 1997 to 15 December 1997
|
Rank |
Total |
|
Company Sergeant to Sergeant Major |
6 |
|
Company Sergeant to Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant |
– |
|
Company Quartermaster Sergeant to Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant |
4 |
|
Company Quartermaster Sergeant to Company Sergeant |
4 |
|
Sergeant to Company Sergeant |
11 |
|
Sergeant to Company Quartermaster Sergeant |
10 |
|
Corporal to Sergeant |
70 |
|
Private to Corporal |
86 |
|
Grand Total |
191 |
|
Rank |
Total |
|
Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant |
28 |
|
Lieutenant to Captain |
48 |
|
Captain to Commandant |
32 |
|
Commandant to Lieutenant-Colonel |
4 |
|
Lieutenant-Colonel to Colonel |
3 |
|
Colonel to Brigadier-Geneal |
1 |
|
Brigadier-General to Major-Geneal |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
117 |
I thank the Minister for that comprehensive information which will be of particular interest to members of the Defence Forces. Is the Minister satisfied that the scheme introduced by his predecessor has reached its potential and that the criteria in respect of the aims set by the previous Government for dealing with the age level within the Defence Forces have been met under this scheme? Is it his intention at any stage to extend the existing scheme or to introduce a follow-up scheme? Will he indicate if it is the Government's intention to do what I have advocated for the Defence Forces for a long time, to recruit on a planned yearly basis to take account of retirements, natural wastage, etc?
Regarding the third part of the Deputy's question, I have made it clear that I will end for all time the stop-go recruitment procedures that have been part and parcel of some of the problems that have developed in the Defence Forces concerning promotion and other problems. More importantly and apart from promotion, it is a young person's job in the main. There should be an entrée of young people who should have the opportunity to join the ranks of the Defence Forces on a continuous basis. When we have reached the target strength of 11,500 set by the previous Government, constant recruitment will take place thereafter on a year on year basis to fill the vacancies from natural wastage or retirement. I will continue the final phase of the voluntary early retirement scheme this year at a total cost of £23 million odd. Part of that involves pensions in respect of those who retired in the first two phases of the scheme.
Regarding the first part of the Deputy's question, the first two phases of the voluntary early retirement scheme were quite successful in a number of ways. Bearing in mind it was a voluntary scheme and that not all those whom one might want to retire from different places will avail of it, broadly speaking the scheme was quite successful. However, this year the new scheme needs to be more focused and targeted to deal with some surpluses that have arisen. Where gaps have emerged in respect of the first two phases we have an opportunity to make sure they are not tampered with and some support will be available for those areas.
It is too soon to visualise what will happen in future. We will reach the target figures by the end of 1998, we will have constant recruitment, the voluntary early retirement scheme will continue this year and at that stage we can consider what is necessary to ensure sufficient numbers will be available in appropriate geographical areas. We will then be in a position to provide the best and most efficient force this House and country envisages.
I am pleased to hear about the additional recruitment because of the shortage of private soldiers in my area and the Border areas. Those who are there are to say the least overworked. Recruitment should be on the basis of taking into account the numbers who will retire and it should be done in advance to take account of the time it takes to train troops to a certain level of efficiency.
That is why when I made this announcement I said the first tranche would be in March and the second in June and that I would review the position then. One can visualise over the years early stages of recruitment in the early part of the year and the balance in the middle and at the end of the year. That would ensure we will not have to wait for a full complement, which has often been the case where at the end of the year personnel would not be able to operate in active service for the better part of the following year.
