Written Answers Nos. 339-350
339. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide details of the proposed duties of members of the Defence Forces who will participate in the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10837/23]
View answer340. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the units of the Ukrainian armed forces that will be trained by members of the Defence Forces as part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10838/23]
View answer341. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces will be involved in any other activities other than training Ukrainian forces in demining as part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10839/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 339 to 341, inclusive, together.
As you are aware, on 21 February the Government approved the participation of up to 30 Defence Forces’ personnel in the newly established European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The primary role of the Defence Forces will be to provide training to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in one or more EU Member States in which the training will take place.
These trainers will be supplemented by a small number of staff positions based in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) staff based in Brussels, Belgium and in the multi-national Special Training Command (STC) in Strausberg, Germany.
In respect of training, Ireland’s Defence Forces has significant expertise in a number of areas where we believe we can bring some added-value to the mission, including in areas such as C-IED training (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices), EOD training (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Medical Combat and Engineering.
Given that the DF have capacity to provide training in a relatively limited number of areas, it will be necessary to match that capacity with the identified training needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). Until such time as this is done, it is difficult to anticipate exactly when and in what areas the DF will commence the delivery of such training. However, it is hoped that the delivery of training can commence relatively soon.
Depending on the matching of the DF's limited training capacity with the identified training needs of the UAF, it is expected that small training teams will be deployed for short periods, not normally for more than a few weeks at a time.
342. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will detail both the maximum and the current strength levels of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10842/23]
View answer343. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will detail both the maximum and the current strength levels of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10843/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.
The following table details the current strength and establishment of the Permanent Defence Force, as of the 31 January 2023.
|
Current Strength (WTE) |
Agreed Strength |
|
|
Permanent Defence Force |
7,959 |
9,500 |
|
Army |
6,459 |
7,520 |
|
Air Corps |
706 |
886 |
|
Naval Service |
794 |
1,094 |
Ongoing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged. My immediate focus is now on stabilising the staffing situation in the Defence Forces and thereafter in bringing the strength to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
344. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current total strength of Air Corps personnel; and if he will provide a breakdown of the number of qualified military pilots, cadet pilots in training, qualified military aircraft maintenance technicians, qualified military avionics technicians and military apprentices in training of both aforementioned disciplines. [10844/23]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Air Corps, as at 1 March 2023, is 706 whole time equivalent personnel.
The table below shows the breakdown requested.
|
Personnel Stream |
Strength as at 01/03/2023 |
|
Qualified pilots |
96 |
|
Cadets currently completing military training* |
14 |
|
Young officers in pilot training |
8 |
|
Qualified Military Aircraft Technicians |
175 |
|
Qualified Military Avionics Technicians |
29 |
|
Apprentice Military Aircraft Technicians |
62 |
*Cadets are scheduled to commence their Pilot Wings course once they graduate as Officers.
A Military Aircraft Technician (MAT) is an individual who has qualified from an Air Corps apprenticeship, or a direct entrant deemed to have the appropriate qualifications to work on aircraft in the various maintenance roles. Personnel in these roles cover the broad range of disciplines within the Air Corps e.g. avionics technicians, aircraft mechanics, crew leaders, and aircraft inspectors.
All MATs are employed in the maintenance of aircraft. At any one time, they may be employed in any of the broad range of maintenance disciplines, be in training, or serving overseas. The total number of qualified MATs is therefore inclusive of those who may be assigned to avionics duties, or any of the other disciplines, at any one time.
As outlined, there is a strong training pipeline for MATs consisting of 62 apprentices. Of these apprentices, 19 are undergoing basic military training. The remaining 43 are undergoing their qualification process and will, on successful completion, be streamed into rotary, fixed-wing or avionics technician categories.
345. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service operations and patrols cancelled to date this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10845/23]
View answerThe Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. In terms of fishery protection the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary.
A total of 24 scheduled Naval Service patrol days have been cancelled this year up to 28 February. This includes 12 cancelled planned patrol days for LÉ Róisín before she was placed in operational reserve with effect from 1 February. A further 12 patrol days have been cancelled due to mechanical or personnel issues.
Notwithstanding some challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime surveillance operations.
346. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of women in the Defence Forces, by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10846/23]
View answer347. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women in the Defence Forces who are currently serving overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10847/23]
View answer348. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women members of the Defence Forces who have left this year, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10848/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 346 to 348, inclusive, together.
As at 31 January 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 563 whole time equivalent female members of the Permanent Defence Force out of a total WTE strength of 7,959. On the same date, 27 female members were serving overseas in addition to 1 female seconded to the UN.
The requested breakdown of the total female strength of 563, by rank, is as follows.
|
OFFICER |
LT GEN |
MAJ GEN |
BRIG GEN |
COL |
LT COL |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
59 |
45 |
52 |
|
|
OTHER RANKS |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGT |
CPL |
PTE |
CADET |
|
0 |
0 |
7 |
12 |
55 |
100 |
217 |
13 |
Two females were discharged from the Defence Forces in January 2023. Typically, discharges include personnel who leave for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges and would also include any trainees who exited prior to completion of their initial training.
In line with current policies and commitments, and the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, a number of initiatives are in place with a view to increasing the level of female participation in the Defence Forces. Additionally, special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework.
My immediate focus is now on stabilising the staffing situation in the Defence Forces and thereafter in bringing the strength, of both males and female members, to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
349. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10849/23]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF. The White Paper on Defence is quite clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve and the Government remains fully committed to this.
The strength of the Reserve Defence Force, as of 31 January 2023, is set out below.
|
Service |
Total Effective Personnel |
|
Army Reserve |
1,386 |
|
Naval Service Reserve |
73 |
|
First Line Reserve |
277 |
The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations, including on the future structure and role of the RDF.
A High Level Action Plan (HLAP) that sets out the Government’s response to the Report has also been approved with some specific initiatives including the immediate commencement of planning for the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs with the priority objective of developing a regeneration plan for the Reserve Defence Force.
The Deputy may also be aware that the 2022 recruitment drive for the RDF was advertised across a number of media channels. Recruit Liaison Officers across the Reserve conducted local recruitment to attract applicants for this campaign and over 1000 applications were received, which is very encouraging.
In 2022, to the end of year, 90 RDF recruits were inducted into the Defence Forces and the processing of eligible applicants is continuing. A further 4 have been inducted in 2023 as of February 28. The military authorities have advised me that once this body of work is completed, consideration will be given to the launch of a further recruitment campaign in mid 2023.
350. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women in the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10850/23]
View answerIt is Government policy to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve. As of 31 January 2023, the effective female strength of the RDF is 187 members.
In line with current policies and commitments, a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Defence Forces. For example:
- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework, including a Female Recruitment Standing Committee reporting on initiatives, with dedicated female recruitment teams proposed. In addition, a female specific "Always on" (constant targeting of the female demographic) campaign commenced in October 2021.
- The Defence Forces actively engage with schools to conduct career talks and regularly attend events aimed at future career choices for schools.
- A Gender Equality and Diversity Officer has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces are committed to gender equality and employ a gender perspective in the planning and execution of operations both at home and overseas and in all policies and regulations. Gender Advisors, generally at Commandant level, are available to all Brigades and Services and trained Gender Focal Points are deployed with all overseas units and ships in order to promote a gender perspective in operations.
- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.
Initiatives in place to recruit individuals to the Reserve include supports provided to maximise RDF recruitment including use of social media, promotion through the Defence Forces Press Office and outreach activities by RDF members. In addition, a number of measures to streamline the recruitment and induction process for the RDF are in train and it is hoped that they will yield a positive outcome.
The Report from the Commission on the Defence Forces included a number of recommendations relating to gender and diversity in the Defence Forces. A High Level Action Plan (HLAP) that sets out the Government’s response to this report was also approved. A number of these recommendations have been identified as early actions, including the appointment of a senior Gender Advisor at Colonel level, options for female participation at General Staff level, review of fitness standards, and the development of gender, diversity and unconscious bias training.
Some specific initiatives specifically relating to the RDF include the immediate commencement of planning for the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs with the priority objective of developing a regeneration plan for the Reserve Defence Force. In addition, a further recommendation that the Defence Forces Women's network be extended to members of the Reserve has already been implemented.
I would reiterate that the Government remains fully committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Force activities.
