Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:25. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to retain Defence Forces officers following a survey (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34602/21]
View answerTuesday, 29 June 2021
Questions (25, 46)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:46. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the provisions he will put in place to prevent the haemorrhage of talent for the other ranks in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34710/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 46 together.
The survey highlighted by the Deputy, mentions a number of matters which are being actively addressed in the normal course of business of the Department on an ongoing basis.
A serving member can choose to leave the Permanent Defence Force for a number of reasons. A buoyant employment economy can also pose problems in the retention of highly trained and experienced Defence Forces personnel, as this training and experience makes them more attractive to private sector employers.
The Government has fully acknowledged the recruitment and retention issues affecting both officers and enlisted personnel which have impacted operational capacity of the Defence Forces over recent years. In response, a range of actions have been progressed to address these issues.
The report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on retention and recruitment in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) contained a wide range of recommendations to address those difficulties and these have been progressed through the High Level Implementation Plan "Strengthening Our Defence Forces".
Immediate benefits have included a 10% increase in Military Service Allowance; the restoration to pre-Haddington Road levels of certain allowances and the restoration of premium rates for certain weekend duties. Members of the Defence Forces have also received the benefits of Public Service Pay Agreements with further increases available under the new Pay Agreement, should it be accepted by the Defence Forces Representative Associations.
Work has also progressed on a broad range of non-pay measures in line with the PSPC recommendations, including in workforce planning; enhanced professional military education; bespoke leadership training; development of a mental health and wellbeing strategy; a review of barriers to extended participation in the PDF (including the possibility of extending retirement ages) and consideration of the provision of additional specialist posts in certain areas.
A Service Commitment Scheme for pilots, introduced in 2019, has had a stabilising effect on Air Corp pilot numbers, with 25 officers currently participating. A further iteration of the Scheme scheduled in 2021. A Naval Service Sea-going Service Commitment Scheme was also introduced this year with 77 applications so far received. A sea going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270, which was applied in the 2020 tax year, has been extended for the 2021 tax year, and has been increased to €1,500.
The introduction of schemes to allow for the re-commissioning of former Officers and the re-enlistment of former enlisted personnel of the PDF have assisted in addressing particular skills gaps and a range of direct entry specialist competitions have been initiated as a further means to fill critical positions. Furthermore, the upper age limit for both direct entry Naval Service and Air Corps technical appointments has recently been increased to 29 years.
The Deputy will be aware that as part of the terms of reference of the Independent Commission on the Defence Forces, the Commission will consider and recommend appropriate turnover and retention approaches, having regard to work undertaken to date, and international best practice, to deliver the capabilities required of a modern military force.
There is no quick fix to the challenges facing the Defence Forces today. Whilst there has been significant work undertaken to date, it will take time to see the full effect of the measures introduced.
Working closely with the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff, and a range of key stakeholders, I am confident that the current challenges facing the Defence Forces can be overcome.
Question No. 26 answered with Question No. 19.