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Defence Forces Remuneration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 October 2018

Wednesday, 3 October 2018

Questions (51, 55, 62, 64, 65)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

51. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of recruitment plans for the Defence Forces for 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39922/18]

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Brendan Smith

Question:

55. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel serving in the Permanent Defence Force; the projected enlistment for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40058/18]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which he expects an increase in the strength of the Defence Forces with particular reference to the need to ensure maximum operational capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40067/18]

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Brendan Ryan

Question:

64. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on reports that Defence Forces personnel are leaving for the private sector; his further views on the success of the recruitment drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40064/18]

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Jack Chambers

Question:

65. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces in whole-time equivalent terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40001/18]

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Oral answers (6 contributions)

I fully agree with the sentiments expressed by my colleague, Deputy Aylward, on the need to urgently improve the pay and conditions of Permanent Defence Force, PDF, members. It is necessary to ensure we retain the members. I understand the approved establishment figure is at a strength of 9,500 members. What is the current enlistment figure? What proposals does the Minister of State have to ensure a substantial increase in the number of serving PDF members in 2019? We are aware of the upcoming challenges. Other Departments are recruiting in advance of Brexit and the possibility of the return of a border on our island. I would like to know what is happening in respect of the Permanent Defence Force.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 55, 62, 64 and 65 together.

The current whole-time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force for the end of September is estimated at just over 9,000 personnel. The Government remains committed to returning to and maintaining the agreed strength of the PDF at 9,500 personnel, as set out in the White Paper on Defence 2015. In order to achieve this target, there are significant recruitment opportunities available in the PDF at both enlisted and officer level for eligible individuals who wish to have a rewarding and positive career in the service of the State. The PDF continues to offer excellent career opportunities for serving personnel and new entrants. General service recruitment campaigns, an officer cadetship competition, a competition for Air Corps apprentices, a competition for the Defence Forces School of Music instrumentalists and the 2018 Reserve Defence Force, RDF, recruitment campaigns all took place this year, and the applications are being progressed.

In addition, the Defence Forces medical corps is accepting applications from suitably qualified medical doctors, and the Naval Service has a number of opportunities for bridge watch-keeping officers, marine engineering officers and electrical engineer officers. Arising from the general service recruitment campaigns held earlier this year, new recruits will be inducted between September and the end of November. The 95th class of 85 recruits was inducted on 24 September. A second general service recruitment campaign was launched on 10 September 2018 and will close on 7 October 2018. I expect the Chief of Staff to propose similar plans for 2019. Final figures for numbers enlisted in 2018 will not be available until after the year's end. As of 25 September 2018, some 414 personnel have been inducted in 2018 and inductions will continue for the rest of the year. The bulk of inductions are weighted towards the second half of the year. Recruitment progress will be reviewed at year end and this will inform the approach in 2019.

The level of training and experience gained by members of the Defence Forces makes them attractive to private sector employers. The Defence Forces are not unique in this regard, and this is experienced by other parts of the public service and other military organisations internationally.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

In 2016, the Government established an independent Public Service Pay Commission to provide objective analysis and advice on the most appropriate pay levels for the public service, including the Defence Forces. This informed the most recent pay agreement. Under my direction, the Department raised recruitment and retention issues as part of the submission to the commission. The Government has tasked the commission with examining these challenges in the defence sector in more detail. This work has commenced and the Department has submitted detailed material. The commission has commenced surveying members of the Defence Forces and is facilitated in this work by military management. With the support of the Chief of Staff, the Government is committed to retaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and abroad.

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He referred to a rewarding career in the Permanent Defence Force. From speaking to many serving personnel, I know it is not a rewarding or properly remunerated career at the moment, unfortunately. In my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan there is a strong Irish Army tradition. I have spoken to members of families who have served for three generations in the PDF and they are utterly dismayed by their pay and conditions and the lack of strength in serving barracks. Some military installations do not have adequate numbers to ensure they carry out their duties in the way that their officers and members wish to carry them out. The Minister of State mentioned recruitment campaigns, which we welcome, but alongside the campaigns, he must ensure conditions are in place to retain serving members. Is the Minister of State confident the establishment figure of 9,500 will be reached in the early part of 2019? My understanding is that establishment figure has not once been reached in recent years.

On a similar issue, will the Minister of State address the conditions under which the Defence Forces operate, particularly with regard to mental health services and psychiatric support?

On Deputy Smith's point about pay and conditions, I accept we have challenges in the Defence Forces, which I have highlighted at every given opportunity. I look forward to the outcome of the Public Service Pay Commission's deliberations. A number of processes are continuing under the PSSA, including pay restoration. The Defence Forces and civil and military management have also made a submission to the pay commission, the outcome of which I look forward to.

It is my aim to get back up to full strength. There are challenges in that regard which I am trying to mitigate to the best of my ability.

To answer Deputy James Browne's question, prior to the retirement of the Defence Forces' in-house psychiatrist, where a patient required outpatient psychiatric care, he or she would attend an in-house psychiatrist. Those who require outpatient care are currently referred to an external private psychiatrist, pending the appointment of an in-house replacement. All urgent cases have always been referred to an HSE emergency department for assessment. If hospitalisation is required, there are no reported waiting times. Where in an assessment by the HSE hospitalisation is deemed not to be required, the patient may be referred to an external private psychiatrist for treatment, if required, or to a non-psychiatrist care service in the Defence Forces, as appropriate. The issue is receiving attention. We are awaiting the appointment of a replacement in-house psychiatrist.

That concludes questions to the Minister of State with responsibility for defence matters.

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