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Defence Forces Strength

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2017

Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Questions (49)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Defence Forces continues to be maintained and-or increased; the degree to which gender balance continues to be observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52919/17]

View answer

Oral answers (10 contributions)

My question relates to the current and expected strength of the Defence Forces in all grades of the Army, Naval Service and the Air Corps, and the degree to which the gender balance continues to be maintained.

From the most recent figures available, as of 31 October 2017, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 9,219 whole-time equivalent, WTE, personnel. In recent years, the levels of departures have exceeded intakes and this has presented challenges in meeting the establishment strength of 9,500 personnel. 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.

In addition, 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 personnel with appropriate skill sets to re-enter the Defence Forces.

As I have previously outlined, there are particular challenges with vacancies in certain specialist posts, such as those relating to 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 the retention of such specialists has proved challenging for many military forces internationally and it is not unique to Ireland.

The strength figure of 9,219 personnel includes 604 WTE female personnel, broken down as follows: Army - 496 female personnel; Air Corps - 34 female personnel; and Naval Service - 74 female personnel.

Currently, females represent approximately 6% of Defence Forces personnel. The programme for Government contains a commitment to increasing this rate over the five years of the programme's duration.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

A number of specific initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation. These include the targeting of female websites as part of recruitment campaigns and visits to female schools by Defence Forces personnel to promote a career in the Defence Forces to women. 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.

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Perhaps he will indicate the degree to which it is anticipated that means can be found to encourage more interest in careers in the Defence Forces. What research has been done to ascertain the reasons for a reduction in the number of young people taking up careers in the Defence Forces? How is the gender balance measured against the rest of the inductions in to the Defence Forces? For example, is there a distinct difference between the level at which women are prepared to enter the Defence Forces compared with that at which men are prepared to enter?

I would be the first to state we have faced challenges in fulfilling our gender targets. I have asked civil and military management to look at recent recruitment campaigns and to establish the number of female applicants for the Permanent Defence Force, and how many may have fallen off by the time of interview or around the time of the medical and fitness test. This is very important information for us to have. Recruitment is a matter for the Defence Forces but I have regular meetings with them and one area in which they are very involved is focusing on women's sports and women in sport and in targeting those women.

I am conscious of the number of people who have left the Permanent Defence Force over the past two years. It was for a range of reasons but one important reason is a stronger private economy than had been the case.

I thank the Minister of State. Deputy Durkan has one final supplementary question.

Some years ago, there was a change in the pensions available to members of the Defence Forces so that, for instance, a member of the Defence Forces was no longer entitled to a pension at 42 years after there had been a public outcry, and all that goes with it. Has that been a factor in people leaving the Defence Forces and having to make provision in the private sector?

Among the different branches of the Defence Forces, which has the greatest dearth of applicants? Is it the Army, the Naval Service or the Air Corps? What are the opportunities available for promotion for men and women in those grades?

The Army has by far the highest number of applications within the Permanent Defence Force.

On pensions, a review is under way for all contracts of enlisted personnel from 1994 to 2006. Over the past two to three years we have been losing young, fit men and women who have the capability and capacity to give another ten years or more to the Permanent Defence Force. I announced this review at the recent PDFORRA conference. The review of contracts is something PDFORRA has sought for some time and it welcomed my decision. Those joining the Army, in particular, want to serve overseas and to do so as soon as possible after training having done two or three years back home. We are doing everything to give them the opportunity to do that.

The next three questions are from the Independents 4 Change group and I am anxious to get all three in. If Deputy Clare Daly forfeits her 30 seconds, we might squeeze in the three.

Go on, then. I will, but only because the Leas-Cheann Comhairle is asking.

I am trying to be accommodating. There may be a stray supplementary allowed in too.

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