Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2018
100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which optimal strength in the Defence Forces is being maintained with equal reference to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48628/18]
View answer103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which he remains satisfied regarding the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, with particular reference to ensuring the maintenance of recommended levels of strength throughout all branches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48631/18]
View answer107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacant posts remaining to be filled at all levels in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48635/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 103 and 107 together.
The following table sets out the current strength (as of 31 October 2018, the latest date for which figures are available from the Defence Forces) in whole time equivalent of the PDF across all services and ranks.
|
Service |
Strength (WTE) |
Establishment |
|
Army |
7,236 |
7,520 |
|
Air Corps |
709 |
886 |
|
Naval Service |
993 |
1,094 |
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining, the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force 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 Permanent Defence Force, at both enlisted and officer level, for eligible individuals who wish to have a rewarding and positive career in service to the State. The Permanent Defence Force continues to offer excellent career opportunities for serving personnel and for new entrants. Two general service recruitment campaigns, an officer cadetships competition, a competition for Air Corps apprentices, a competition for DF School of Music instrumentalists and the 2018 RDF recruitment campaigns all took place this year.
A second general service recruitment campaign, launched on 10 September 2018 and closed on 7 October 2018, attracted 2,111 applications. Successful applicants from this campaign will be inducted early in 2019.
Some 600 personnel have been inducted to date in 2018. Final figures for numbers inducted in 2018 will not be available unitl year end. Recruitment progress will be reviewed in the coming weeks and this will inform future plans.
