David Stanton
Question:66 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if there is adequate human resources in place in the Naval Service to meet the requirement of fishing protection; and the details of this requirement. [28754/04]
View answerWednesday, 17 November 2004
Questions (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
Olivia Mitchell
Question:68 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence if the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be altered over the coming 12 month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28770/04]
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Bernard J. Durkan
Question:81 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself regarding the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, having particular regard to current or likely commitments overseas; if the Defence Forces are adequately equipped to deal with all such arising situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29132/04]
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Liam Twomey
Question:100 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Defence the authorised number of personnel for the Defence Forces; the current strength of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28759/04]
View answerBernard J. Durkan
Question:608 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if the current strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps is adequate to meet all contingencies in view of the likelihood of extra overseas deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29266/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 68, 81, 100 and 608 together.
The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. The strengths of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 October 2004 are as shown in the table below.
It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force will continue to maintain the strength at a level required to meet military needs and as set out in the White Paper, that is, 10,500 Permanent Defence Force, all ranks. The Government remains fully committed to the policy of ongoing recruitment to ensure that an overall PDF strength of 10,500 is achieved and maintained. The ongoing recruitment campaign for enlistment in the Defence Forces, approved by my predecessor, is designed to address any shortfall in personnel in the Defence Forces.
The White Paper provides an overall strength figure of 10,500 for the Permanent Defence Force, all ranks. This figure comprehends provision for the allocation of up to 850 members of the Permanent Defence Force to overseas peacekeeping missions at any given time. The military authorities advise that on 31 October 2004 there were 750 members of the Permanent Defence Force serving overseas on such missions. This represents 7.2% of the strength of the Defence Forces. I am satisfied that the current strength is adequate to meet all needs arising at home and overseas.
In 2004 the cadet intake was ten cadets to the Naval Service, 51 cadets to the Army and six cadets to the Air Corps. It is proposed to recruit 15 apprentices to the Air Corps in 2004. From January 2004 to 30 September 2004, there has been an intake of 278 general service recruits. The requirements for any further intakes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
The Naval Service supported by the Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft provides Ireland with a very effective fishery protection service in accordance with our EU obligations and the requirements of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, which has primary policy responsibility in this area. I am glad to inform the House that a memorandum of understanding incorporating a service level agreement is now in place between the two Departments setting out agreed commitments in relation to fisheries protection and providing for the effective discharge of the Departments' respective obligations.
I am satisfied that the Naval Service has the required assets to meet its obligations under the memorandum of understanding. As such, there is no basis, nor do I have any plans to expand the current fishery protection capability of either the Naval Service or the Air Corps.
|
Service |
Officers |
NCOs |
Privates |
Cadets |
Recruits |
Total |
|
Army |
1,050 |
3,060 |
4,141 |
52 |
188 |
8,491 |
|
Air Corps |
140 |
398 |
317 |
12 |
0 |
867 |
|
Naval Service |
150 |
495 |
396 |
21 |
0 |
1,062 |
|
Total PDF |
1,340 |
3,953 |
4,854 |
85 |
188 |
10,420 |
Question No. 67 answered with QuestionNo. 65.
Question No. 68 answered with QuestionNo. 66.