Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:28. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the action that is being taken to ensure greater gender balance in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5568/14]
View answerThursday, 6 February 2014
Questions (28, 29)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:29. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence his plans for enlisting more women into the Defence Forces in the years ahead [5622/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.
The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Significant progress has been made by the Military Authorities in addressing gaps between male and female participation in the Defence Forces, with an increase of 23% of female participation in the PDF since 2002. However, it is recognised that more work needs to be done to meet the gender target for recruitment of females of 20% which was set by the Military Authorities in 2007.
As of 31 December 2013, there are 546 women out of a total strength of 9,236 serving in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). This represents 6% of the overall strength of the Defence Forces and a 23% increase of female representation in the PDF since 2002. A key impediment in achieving the target gender balance is the lack of female applicants relative to males. A number of specific initiatives have been implemented to increase female participation in the Defence Forces including:
- the introduction of best practices in recruitment, such as the adjustment of physical standards for female applicants,
- special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment,
- there is balanced composition between men and women on recruitment and selection boards,
- all promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit,
- a Gender Advisor has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces.
Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. Women, therefore, play a full and meaningful role in all aspects of Defence Forces operations at home and overseas. The Defence Forces also prides itself on providing a gender neutral working environment. Policies on equality are being constantly communicated to all ranks. The Military Authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing this matter in a continuing and proactive manner when it arises. However, a key issue in recruiting and retaining female personnel lies in societal perception and attitudes to female soldiers and officers and much of the solution to this lies outside the control and influence of the Defence Forces.
That said, I believe that there is a need to continue to develop and promote strategies that not alone support increased female participation in the Defence Forces but also support increased diversity such that the personnel profile of the Defence Forces better reflects the changing demographic and multicultural nature of Irish Society. To this end, I have requested the Chief of Staff to bring forward proposals on improving gender balance and diversity for my consideration which will then be implemented in the upcoming recruitment competition for the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force and I expect to receive these shortly.