Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2021
238. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacant promotions positions waiting to be filled in the Defence Forces as of 4 October 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49473/21]
View answerThe table below outlines the variance between current strength and the establishment strength, by rank, within Permanent Defence Force as at 31st August 2021, the latest date for which such information is available.
Vacancies, where current strength is less than the establishment strength, are filled on an ongoing basis in line with promotional arrangements and, in certain cases, direct entry competitions and re-entry of ex PDF personnel. A number of initiatives are being implemented to counter current staffing challenges and these will play a role in restoring and retaining capacity and boosting specialist numbers.
It is normal, at a particular point in time, for some ranks to be oversubscribed and others to be undersubscribed. For example, whilst there are vacancies at the rank of Captain, as can be seen in the table below, there are currently substantially more Lieutenants than are provided for in the establishment.
|
Rank |
Strength In Excess of Establishment |
Strength Under Establishment (Vacancies) |
|
Lt Gen |
At Establishment Strength |
- |
|
Maj Gen |
At Establishment Strength |
- |
|
Brig Gen |
At Establishment Strength |
- |
|
Col |
1 |
- |
|
Lt Col |
- |
-4 |
|
Comdt |
14 |
- |
|
Capt |
- |
-110 |
|
Lt |
136 |
- |
|
Sgt Maj |
- |
-3 |
|
BQMS |
- |
-1 |
|
CS |
- |
-12 |
|
CQMS |
- |
-4 |
|
Sgt |
- |
-293 |
|
Cpl |
- |
-349 |
|
Private |
- |
-383 |
|
Cadet |
58 |
