Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:1385. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to retain Defence Forces personnel in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46496/17]
View answerTuesday, 7 November 2017
Questions (1385)
Written answers
Given the unique and demanding nature of military life, there is, understandably, a significant turnover of personnel in the Defence Forces on an annual basis. A certain level of turnover is desirable as a human resource and organisational objective, in order to maintain an appropriate age profile across the Defence Forces and to retain an approach to regular revitalisation. However, it is also important to ensure that turnover is ultimately beneficial to the organisation. In recent years the levels of departures have exceded intakes and this has presented difficulties in meeting the establishment strength of 9,500 personnel. In order to fill vacancies there is significant ongoing recruitment at both enlisted and officer level and it is anticipated that approximately 800 new personnel will have been inducted into the Permanent Defence Force during 2017. This includes general service recruits, apprentices, cadets and direct entry officers.
A range of recruitment methods are being employed including direct entry competitions for specialist positions and the scope to further expand direct entry is being considered. I have also directed civil and military management to develop proposals for expanding direct entry recruitment of specialists and a scheme to facilitate former PDF personnel with appropriate skill-sets to re-enter the Defence Forces.
From the most recent figures available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force is currently at approximately 9,200 personnel. As I have previously outlined there are particular challenges with vacancies in certain specialist posts such as Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers and certain Technicians. These specialists can prove difficult to retain where, as in the current economic circumstances, there are ongoing private sector and commercial semi-state sector job opportunities. I understand that he retention of such specialists has proved challenging for many military forces internationally.
As the Deputy will be aware, there is also an ongoing programme of HR development within the Defence Organisation. The Defence Forces Climate Survey identified a range of issues that were identified as impacting on satisfaction levels within the PDF. Whilst pay for the lowest paid members of the Defence Forces was highlighted as an issue, there were a broad range of HR matters raised. I am satisfied that these are being addressed and I have recently announced a number of initiatives ranging from a review of the C&A Scheme, a review of the crtieria governing Contracts for enlisted personnel and a comprehensive skills gap analysis across the Defence Forces. These directly address issues raised in the Climate Study. In addition the Chief of Staff is actively addressing matters relating to military management of work practices in the Defence Forces.
Following sign up by the Defence Forces Representative Associations to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, members of the Permanent Defence Force have benefitted from pay increases. These post-dated the Climate Survey. I was particularly pleased with recent adjustments to salary scales for general service recruits and privates who joined the Defence Forces since 2013 (increases of between 8% and 24% depending on scale point). The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 -2020 also provides for further pay increases ranging from 5.75% to 7.25% depending on the individual’s current wage threshold and this is under consideration by RACO and PDFORRA.
The fact that further consideration by the Public Service Pay Commission of recruitment and retention issues is provided for under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, is also a welcome development
I remain committed to maximising recruitment to the Defence Forces and ensuring that, where possible, the terms and conditions of service are appropriate to the needs of the organisation and as favourable as they can be within the current budgetary parameters.
With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, the Government is committed to retaining 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 abroad.