Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of all branches of the Defence Forces; if further recruitment is required to bring each branch of the Forces up to optimum strength; if issues regarding salary, pay and conditions are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47105/21]
View answer99. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the measures being taken to reach the approved threshold of 9,500 in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47121/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 99 together.
As at 31st August 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 8,550 personnel comprised of 6,927 Army personnel, 723 Air Corps personnel and 900 Naval Service personnel. While the Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, there are a number of factors, many of which are hard to predict, which will impact on the timeframe within which this will be achieved.
I have acknowledged the on-going staffing challenges in the Defence Forces and these have been well-documented. Initiatives to counter those challenges and play a role in restoring and retaining capacity and boosting specialist numbers include:
- Continuing Recruitment, which has resulted in a total of 406 personnel being inducted as at 27th September. A further 95 General Service recruits have accepted offers and will commence training on the 4th October. The Cadet competition is at offer stage and the process is expected to close on the 22nd October. Further inductions are also anticipated.
- The scope of direct entry competitions was expanded in 2021, from 10 competitions, to also include a new Air Corps Aircraft Technician competition which resulted in 3 recent inductions. Additionally, direct entry terms and conditions continue to be revised to further improve intakes. In 2021, the maximum age of entry for Technicians was increased to 29 and flexibility in the starting rate of pay of some Naval Service specialists was progressed.
- The re-entry campaign for former members of the PDF continues and has resulted in 1 re-commissioned officer and 28 re-enlisted personnel, to date, in 2021.
- The sea-going service commitment scheme and an extension of a tax credit, both for sea-going Naval Service personnel, are examples of targeted measures that I have introduced which are aimed at retaining experienced personnel. This follows the reintroduction of a successful service commitment scheme for Flying Officers in the Air Corps.
There has been significant progress on pay arising from increases from recent pay agreements, the most recent of which was a 2% increase on annualised salaries from 1st October 2020. The new public service pay agreement “Building on Momentum” provides for an increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on October 2021, with further increases to follow.
I am confident that the pay benefits delivered by the Public Service pay Agreements, in tandem with the implementation of the PSPC's recommendations will improve recruitment and retention challenges currently being experienced by the PDF. 15 projects, most of which are now complete, were undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC’s recommendations. These included projects focused on a broad range of non-pay measures and also included 4 projects relating to immediate pay which have provided immediate benefits to PDF members totalling some €10m, as well as initiatives that will lead to further improvements. I have recently received the final report for the Review of Recruitment project and the Workforce Planning Project is being progressed through the joint civil/military Strategic Human Resources Group. These projects will inform recruitment and retention policy.
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.
My focus remains on retaining and restoring the PDF to its full capacity but there is no quick fix to the challenges facing the Defence Forces today. As I have outlined, there has been significant work undertaken to date, and such work continues, but it will take time to see the full effect of the measures introduced.
More information is available at the following link: Ranks
