Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the reason that the strength of the military was allowed to decline given the numerous questions submitted over the past ten years, the reply to which was to the effect that the strength of the forces would be maintained at 9,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13760/22]
View answerThe strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31st January 2022, was 8,467 personnel. I am very aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment and have previously acknowledged the ongoing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. I have also previously emphasised the Governments ongoing commitment to returning to the agreed strength.
It is for this reason, to counter these current staffing challenges and play a role in restoring and retaining capacity, that various initiatives are being implemented including,
- Commitment schemes in the Air Corps and Naval Service
- A special tax credit for seagoing Naval Service personnel
- A re-entry scheme for former personnel
- Ongoing recruitment, including direct entry competitions
- The ongoing review of the scope, and terms and conditions, of direct entry competitions to improve intakes
- Significant progress on pay within the Defence Forces arising from the Public Service Pay Commission recommendations and increases from recent pay agreements
In addition, in light of the particular challenges faced by the Defence Sector, the Government tasked the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) to undertake a comprehensive review and analysis of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. The recommendations of this report were subsequently progressed through a series of specific projects.
Furthermore, the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces included, inter alia, consideration of staffing and recruitment and retentions matters. The commission’s report was published on 9 February 2022. The next stage in the process will involve careful consideration of the recommendations and in-depth discussion and inter-departmental consultation. Once all recommendations have been carefully considered and an approach discussed, I intend to bring a proposed response to the report’s recommendations and a high-level action plan to the government for consideration.
My focus remains on restoring all branches of the Defence Forces to their full capacity and in that context, as outlined above, there has been significant work undertaken to date.
