Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which recruitment to the Defence Forces is required; if recruitment is planned at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47421/21]
View answer247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps remains adequate to meet any exigencies of an emergency or ongoing nature; if further recruitment is required to achieve optimum strength; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47426/21]
View answer248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of women currently in the Defence Forces; the extent to which these numbers have fluctuated over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47427/21]
View answer249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if it is recognised that the strength of the Defence Forces needs to be maintained at a level that is capable of meeting any and all requirements arising from emergency or other situations such as natural disasters; if he is satisfied that overseas deployments can continue to be met notwithstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47428/21]
View answer252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of women currently serving in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, the extent to which the numbers have fluctuated over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47431/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242, 247 to 249, inclusive, and 252 together.
The Permanent Defence Force (PDF) female strength and the total PDF strength, over the past 10 years and as at 31st August 2021, is outlined in following table.
PDF Female Strength and Total PDF Strength 2011 - 2021
|
PDF Female Strength* by Branch |
PDF Strength* |
||||
|
Year |
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
Total |
Total |
|
2011 |
469 |
29 |
66 |
564 |
9,375 |
|
2012 |
484 |
30 |
68 |
582 |
9,293 |
|
2013 |
448 |
34 |
64 |
546 |
9,236 |
|
2014 |
464 |
35 |
64 |
563 |
9,279 |
|
2015 |
458 |
33 |
61 |
552 |
9,140 |
|
2016 |
466 |
34 |
68 |
568 |
9,126 |
|
2017 |
496 |
34 |
70 |
600 |
9,173 |
|
2018 |
498 |
35 |
68 |
601 |
8,957 |
|
2019 |
501 |
34 |
63 |
598 |
8,659 |
|
2020 |
496 |
39 |
68 |
603 |
8,572 |
|
**2021 |
492 |
39 |
72 |
603 |
8,550 |
* Wholetime Equivalent
** As at 31st August 2021
The White Paper on Defence 2015 contains a number of initiatives and projects designed to encourage more women to apply for the Defence Forces and to increase female participation at all ranks. The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces
While I have acknowledged there are staffing challenges, the manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is carefully monitored and I am satisfied there is sufficient capacity to effectively undertake all assigned tasks. Furthermore, the following initiatives continue to be implemented to counter those challenges and play a role in restoring and retaining capacity and boosting specialist numbers:
- Continuing traditional recruitment.
- The scope of direct entry competitions was expanded in 2021 and competition terms and conditions continue to be revised to further improve intakes.
- Ongoing re-enlistment & re-commissioning former PDF members who possess the skills to fill specialist posts.
- Commitment scheme for Flying Officers in the Air Corp along with a Naval Service Commitment Scheme and an extension of a sea-going tax credit aimed at retaining experienced personnel.
- 15 projects, undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC Report on Recruitment and Retention, are mostly completed.
Additionally, the independent Commission on the Defence Forces is examining a range of recruitment and retention matters and I look forward to receiving their recommendations, which will be considered and implemented as appropriate.
With the support of the Chief of Staff, I remain committed to maximising recruitment and retention of both men and women to maintain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles both at home and abroad.
