Defence Forces Strength

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 September 2011

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Questions (110, 111)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corps; the extent to which these numbers have altered in each of the past five years and to date in 2011 and for whatever purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25261/11]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 August 2011, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,513 comprising 7,722 Army, 786 Air Corps and 1,005 Naval Service Personnel.

In the five year period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010 the overall strength of the Permanent Defence Force reduced from 10,446 to 9,550. This represents an 8.6% decrease over the period. The latest monthly strength figures (31 August 2011) show a further decrease in strength of 37 personnel.

The Government is currently undertaking a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and my Department has submitted a report as part of that process. The outcome of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure will determine the future envelope available for Defence.

I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.

A table outlining the end of year strengths of the Permanent Defence Force from 2005 to 2010 together with the latest end of month strength (31 August 2011) is set out below.

Strength of the Defence Forces

31 December 2005
	TOTAL OFFRS	TOTAL NCOS	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
ARMY	1052	3060	4340	87	8,539
AIR CORPS	134	403	294	21	852
NAVAL SERVICE	163	471	404	17	1,055
TOTAL	1349	3934	5038	125	10,446

31 December 2006

	TOTAL OFFRS	TOTAL NCOS	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
ARMY	1064	3030	4371	71	8,536
AIR CORPS	136	383	320	26	865
NAVAL SERVICE	158	506	397	15	1,076
TOTAL	1358	3919	5088	112	10,477

31 December 2007

	TOTAL OFFRS	TOTAL NCOS	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
ARMY	1049	2947	4446	70	8,512
AIR CORPS	137	383	301	24	845
NAVAL SERVICE	159	487	415	16	1,077
TOTAL	1345	3817	5162	110	10,434

31 December 2008

	TOTAL OFFRS	TOTAL NCOS	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
ARMY	1071	2970	4394	71	8,506
AIR CORPS	147	380	291	14	832
NAVAL SERVICE	160	495	402	13	1,070
TOTAL	1378	3845	5087	98	10,408

31 December 2009

	TOTAL OFFRS	TOTAL NCOS	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
ARMY	1041	2836	4152	66	8,095
AIR CORPS	142	371	282	6	801
NAVAL SERVICE	164	475	379	19	1,037
TOTAL	1347	3682	4813	91	9,933

31 December 2010

	TOTAL OFFRS	TOTAL NCOS	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
ARMY	1027	2655	4018	52	7,752
AIR CORPS	149	349	263	5	766
NAVAL SERVICE	161	450	403	18	1,032
TOTAL	1337	3454	4684	75	9,550

31 August 2011

	TOTAL OFFRS	TOTAL NCOS	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
ARMY	1027	2689	3985	21	7,722
AIR CORPS	147	360	276	3	786
NAVAL SERVICE	155	452	382	16	1,005
TOTAL	1329	3501	4643	40	9,513

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

113 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of promotions pending or position waiting to be filled at all levels in the Defence Forces; when it is expected that all such positions will be filled and appointments concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25262/11]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Alan Shatter)

Official confirmation and details relating to the Employment Control Framework (ECF) were received on 18 October 2010 from the Department of Finance. The ECF is based on a figure of 10,000 all ranks Permanent Defence Force personnel, appropriately configured across the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps to enable them meet the roles assigned by Government.

The number of positions by rank in the Permanent Defence Force as of 31 August 2011 currently waiting to be filled, as compared with the Employment Control Framework for the Permanent Defence Force, are outlined in the attached tabular statement. Officials from the Department together with the Military Authorities are in the process of reviewing the structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Permanent Defence Force in accordance with the upper limits in ranks provided for in the ECF subject to a final decision on the estimates for Defence.

In this regard the Government is currently undertaking a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and this will inform the resource envelope available for Defence over the coming years and the priorities within Defence.

The expenditure review and the ongoing review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces are factors which must be considered in any future decision relating to the filling of promotional vacancies.

Strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31st August, 2011 as compared with ECF figures

	LT GEN	MAJ GEN	BRIG GEN	COL	LT COL	COM DT	CAPT/ LT	SM/ BQMS	CS/ CQMS	SGTS/ CPLS	PTES/ CADETS	TOTAL
Strength at 31 August 2011	1	2	7	35	131	332	821	72	430	2,999	4,683	9,513
ECF	1	2	9	43	152	370	774	96	540	3,250	4,763	10,000
Vacancies by rank	-	-	-2	-8	-21	-38	+47	-24	-110	-251	-80	-487
Posts held for possible overseas appointments			1	2	4	15						22
Net Vacancies by rank	0	0	-1	-6	-17	-23	+47	-24	-110	-251	-80	-465