Defence Forces Strength

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 October 2015

Thursday, 8 October 2015

Questions (116, 117, 118)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions outstanding, or waiting to be filled, in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35133/15]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions outstanding, or waiting to be filled, in the Navy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35134/15]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions outstanding, or waiting to be filled, in the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35135/15]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 118, inclusive, together.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 August 2015, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,082, comprising 7,337 Army, 726 Air Corps and 1,019 Naval Service personnel.

The following table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 August 2015, based on the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.

Promotions are ongoing within the Officer and Non-Commissioned ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. New NCO promotion competitions to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above were held in late 2014 and promotions are currently under way.

In addition, targeted recruitment will continue in 2015 so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel. It is my intention that promotions, along with targeted recruitment, will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.

	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	35	110	257	306	167	29	32	115	169	973	1,437	3,881
Army Strength	1	1	7	33	105	257	256	207	29	32	105	162	924	1,310	3,907***
Vacancies by Rank	0	1*	-1	2**	5	0	50	-40	0	0	10	7	49	127	- 26
Air Corps Rank Establishment	0	0	1	2	14	36	65	48	8	4	56	14	131	183	324
Air Corps Strength	0	0	1	2	14	31	55	21	8	4	53	14	124	151	248***
Vacancies by Rank	0	0	0	0	0	5	10	27	0	0	3	0	7	32	76
Naval Service Rank Establishment	0	0	1	2	13	45	81	41	6	7	75	15	226	180	402
Naval Service Strength	0	1*	1	2	13	50	53	31	6	7	74	9	196	140	437***
Vacancies by Rank	0	-1	0	0	0	- 5	28	10	0	0	1	6	30	40	-3 5
Total Vacancies by Rank	0	0*	- 1	2 * *	5	0	88	- 3	0	0	1 4	1 3	86	1 99	15

PDF Strength by Rank as at 31 August 2015 versus PDF Rank Establishment of 9,500

* For administrative record purposes, the two Major General Appointments in the Permanent Defence Force are held against the establishment for the Army. One of these appointments as at 31 August 2015 was filled by a Naval Service Officer.

** Within the Establishment figures there is provision for 10 Colonel Appointments overseas. However, with no requirement to fill 2 of the Colonel overseas appointments, no vacancy exists in the rank of Colonel in the Army.

*** Includes 19 Army Cadets, 18 Air Corps Cadets and 9 Naval Service Cadets. There are an additional 83 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 Lieutenant Sergeant 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.