Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

56 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the number of civil servants in his Department; the ratio of these to serving personnel in the Defence Forces; the way in which this ratio compares to other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4522/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The number of civil servants in my Department at the end of December, 1999 was 434. In addition, approximately 1,000 civilians, tradesmen, storemen, clerks etc., are employed in military barracks throughout the country.

The number serving in the Defence Forces at end December, 1999 was as follows:–

Permanent Defence Force	11,044
First Line Reserve	497
An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil	13,513
An Slua Muirí	331

My Department does not maintain a comprehensive record of the numbers of civilian and military personnel employed in other countries. Overall, however, the proportion of civilians employed in Ireland appears low compared with many other countries. For example, in the UK and American Defence organisations around one third of those employed are civilians. In Denmark, there are around 9,000 civilians and 29,000 military personnel.

Comparisons are complicated by differences in Government systems, job definitions and the different job descriptions employed in different countries. Much of the work undertaken by the Department of Defence in Ireland such as pensions administration, payroll payments, Civil Defence would be undertaken by other agencies in other countries.

The degree of civilianisation in Ireland appears generally modest compared with other countries.