Gino Kenny
Question:34. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline his proposals to tackle the recruitment crisis in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5169/23]
View answerThursday, 2 February 2023
Questions (34, 69)
Alan Dillon
Question:69. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the progress made by the Government in terms of reaching the targeted number of Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5028/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 69 together.
The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces made it clear that the level of ambition (LOA) for the Defence Forces needed to be elevated beyond that at which it was operating. In that context, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to LOA 2. This will require an additional 2,000 personnel beyond the current establishment figure of 9,500.
The Defence Forces are developing strategies to achieve increased recruitment and to address the current shortfall in numbers. The target is to realise a Defence Forces strength of 11,500 by 2028, incorporating an appropriate civilian component.
There are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives currently underway aimed at countering ongoing staffing challenges. In respect of recruitment, there is ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment. A separate recruitment competition has also been launched specifically for Air Corps recruits. Direct entry competitions are ongoing as are the re-entry schemes for former members of the Permanent Defence Force. The 'Be More' recruitment campaign, launched last year, highlights the career opportunities available in the Defence Forces and also the wider benefits of membership.
Retention measures include service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and Naval Service, and the sea-going naval personnel tax credit. Agreement has also been secured to allow for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals and on an interim arrangement, for sergeants.
There has been significant progress on pay as a result of increases arising from the Public Service Pay Commission report, from recent pay agreements, and the early implementation of some of the recommendations of Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF). The implementation of two of these recommendations, namely personnel of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman rank being paid the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank; and the removal of the requirement for that cohort to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank, have had a substantial impact on starting pay rates in the Defence Forces, and compare very well to starting pay rates across the public service. The pay rates including Military Service Allowance for the ranks of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman, in their first three years of service start at €36,418 in Year 1, rising to €37,788 in Year 2, and €39,050 in Year 3 of service.
My focus is on bringing the strength of the Defence Forces to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.