Defence Forces Revenue

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Questions (381)

Michael McGrath

Question:

397 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 127 of 21 June 2012 and having regard to the time taken to arrange the competition for promotion of RDF officers, if he will instruct the military authorities to fill the additional vacancies which have now arisen since October 2011; and if he will prepare a promotion list to fill the vacancies that will arise during the rest of 2012 as is procedure in the Permanent Defence Forces. [33614/12]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I am advised by the military authorities that competitive interviews are being conducted in both the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve to fill selected vacancies up to the authorised levels of 70% of the permitted RDF officer strength. Following completion of these current promotion competitions, if further vacancies arise at officer level in the RDF which result in the numbers of officers falling below 70% of the RDF's permitted officer strength, the matter will be considered further. The Deputy should also be aware that the value for money report on the RDF is expected to be completed in September and that future decisions on promotions will have to reflect any relevant recommendations that this report may contain.