Written Answers Nos. 130-135
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel at all ranks, male and female, who have retired from the Defence Forces in each of the past four years to date; the extent to which this has affected the overall strength of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47393/13]
View answerThe tables contain the number of personnel who left the Permanent Defence Force and the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, for each of the years 2010 to 2012 and to the 30th of September 2013, the latest date for which figures are available. It was not possible in the time available to provide a detailed breakdown showing the ranks of personnel who left. I will provide this information direct to the Deputy once it becomes available. As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed stabilised strength of 9,500, it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. To this end, general service recruitment recommenced in September 2013, from the existing competition panels, from which it is expected there will be an intake of approximately 400 recruits. In addition 20 Apprentices for the Air Corps and 15 Engine Room Artificers for the Naval Service are due to be recruited from current competitions. It is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue in 2014, within the resource envelope allocated to Defence, in order to maintain the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force.
With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, it is intended to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2010-2012 include personnel who were on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. The September 2013 strength figures have been calculated on the basis of actual numbers serving on that date, excluding those members who are on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. All future strength figures will be calculated on this basis.
Total Discharges/Retirements from the Permanent Defence Force
|
- |
MALE |
FEMALE |
TOTAL DISCHARGES/RETIREMENTS |
|
2010 |
522 |
12 |
534 |
|
2011 |
704 |
25 |
729 |
|
2012 |
781 |
22 |
803 |
|
2013 (30 September) |
292 |
21 |
313 |
Total Strength Figures for the Permanent Defence Force
|
- |
MALE |
FEMALE |
TOTAL |
|
2010 |
8981 |
569 |
9550 |
|
2011 |
8873 |
565 |
9438 |
|
2012 |
8777 |
582 |
9359 |
|
2013 (30 September) |
8628 |
560 |
9188 |
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the budget for his Department in respect of 2014 with particular reference to maintaining strength, training and equipment standards in line with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47394/13]
View answer133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he has been in a position to maintain the strength of the Naval Service, with particular reference to numerical strength and the updating of equipment and replacement of vessels in view of the importance of the pivotal role of the Naval Service in emergencies and coastal surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47396/13]
View answer134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which adequate resources remain available to the Air Corps to ensure adequate ongoing training and the updating of equipment, including aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47397/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 133 and 134 together.
I am satisified that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including, training, equipment and up to date technology, enables the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas.
The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence and is a matter that is kept under constant review. However, it is imperative that the Department and the Defence Forces, similar to all other Government Departments, must take into account the current difficult economic environment we are now operating in. The budgetary situation, in the context of the current difficult economic situation, will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, training and upgrades. Decisions will be made accordingly on a strictly prioritised basis with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces has a robust and comprehensive training system which incorporates a wide variety of modern training methods.
Training standards in the Defence Forces are constantly benchmarked against best international practice. Participation in ongoing overseas operations also necessitates multi lateral-training and assessment. This facilitates ongoing review of Defence Forces training methods and standards within an international military context. I am advised that Defence Forces personnel continue to have the most modern and effective range of equipment and technology available for their training and day-to-day roles.
I am satisfied that Naval Service training techniques and technologies are up to date in all respects, with the most up to date equipment, including modern technology and IT equipment available to Naval Service personnel. Preparations for the construction of two new offshore Patrol Vessels are advancing with the first ship due for delivery in early 2014. These modern new vessels, combined with a continuous process of refurbishment and repair on the other vessels in the fleet, will ensure the Naval Service continues to meet the required operational capability. A considerable training effort is also involved with the new ships programme to allow for a smooth entry of the first ship into operational service in 2014 and the second ship in 2015.
The Air Corps keeps abreast of all developments in modern aviation. It will continue to conduct its training in accordance with industry best practices and to the highest standards, referencing European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, using the most modern methods and equipment available.
The budgetary situation, in the context of the current difficult economic situation, will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, training and upgrades. Decisions will be made accordingly on a strictly prioritised basis with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces.
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotions outstanding in the Defence Forces in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47395/13]
View answerI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 September 2013, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,188, comprising 7,379 Army, 784 Air Corps and 1,025 Naval Service personnel. The table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 30 September 2013, based on the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. The annual competitions to fill vacancies in the officer ranks are currently ongoing and this process will be completed before the end of the year. In relation to vacancies in NCO ranks, a competition was held last year under the new and modernised promotion system and vacancies in these ranks are being filled from the panels established on foot of that competition. Nearly 500 promotions have already been made to the ranks of Sergeant and above since September last year, while 300 personnel have been promoted to date from Private to Corporal during the course of 2012/2013.
It is my intention that promotions will continue to be made in order to fill rank vacancies within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. PQ No: 47395/13
PDF Strength by Rank as at 30 September 2013 versus PDF Rank Establishment of 9,500
|
- |
Lt Gen |
Maj Gen |
Brig Gen |
Col |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
Sgt |
Cpl |
Pte/Cadet |
|
Army Rank Establishment |
1 |
2* |
6 |
37 |
110 |
255 |
306 |
167 |
29 |
33 |
114 |
170 |
973 |
1,437 |
3,880 |
|
Army Strength |
1 |
0* |
4 |
35 |
101 |
250 |
285 |
259 |
29 |
33 |
110 |
162 |
898 |
1,291 |
3,920** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
2* |
2 |
2 |
9 |
5 |
21 |
-92 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
75 |
146 |
-40 |
|
Air Corps Rank Establishment |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
36 |
65 |
48 |
8 |
4 |
56 |
14 |
131 |
183 |
324 |
|
Air Corps Strength |
0 |
1* |
1 |
2 |
14 |
30 |
60 |
32 |
8 |
4 |
48 |
14 |
126 |
160 |
285** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
5 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
23 |
39 |
|
Naval Service Rank Establishment |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
45 |
81 |
41 |
6 |
7 |
75 |
15 |
226 |
180 |
402 |
|
Naval Service Strength |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
43 |
56 |
47 |
6 |
7 |
71 |
15 |
168 |
148 |
448** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
25 |
-6 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
58 |
32 |
-46 |
|
Total Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2*** |
9 |
13 |
51 |
-82 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
8 |
138 |
201 |
-47 |
*1 Major General Appointment currently held by an Air Corps Officer.
** Includes 42 Army Cadets, 17 Air Corps Cadets and 15 Naval Service Cadets.
***Within the Establishment figures there is provision for 10 Colonel Appointments overseas. However 9 of these are currently filled with no requirement to fill the remaining appointment at present.
There are an additional 80 personnel on career breaks/secondment, who are not included in the strengths in the above table.
Note:
Equivalent Naval Service Ranks
Brigadier General/Commodore
Colonel/Captain
Lieutenant Colonel/Commander
Commandant/Lieutenant Commander
Captain/Lieutenant(NS)
Lieutenant/Sub LieutenantSergeant Mayor/Warrant Officer
Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Chief Petty Officer
Company Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Petty Officer
Company Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer
Sergeant/Petty Officer
Corporal/Leading Seaman
Private/Able Seaman
Questions Nos. 133 and 134 answered with Question No. 131.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army Reserve Force has fluctuated in strength over the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47398/13]
View answerThe military authorities have informed me that while the re-organisation of the Reserve Defence Force following publication of the Value For Money (VFM) Review is at an advanced stage of implementation, it is not yet fully complete. Re-assignment offers have been made to individual members. However, members have the right to appeal these offers and I understand that a number of individuals have done so. In this context and with movement of personnel ongoing, the Deputy will appreciate it is not possible for me to provide accurate data in respect of the statistical information for the current year at this time. I can assure the Deputy that, once the re-assignment process is complete, I will provide the information directly to him.
The strength of the Reserve Defence Force at 31 December in each of the years 2008-2011 and at 30 November 2012 is contained in the table below.
Reserve Defence Force -Strength
|
Year |
Strength |
|
2008 |
7671 |
|
2009 |
6644 |
|
2010 |
6083 |
|
2011 |
5220 |
|
2012 (30 November) |
4978 |
I wish to assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to complete the re-organisation process at the earliest opportunity. Once that process is complete, confirmed strength figures will be available for 2013.
