Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of vacant posts remaining to be filled at all levels in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29805/23]
View answerThe tables below outline the variance between current strength and the establishment strength, by rank, within the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service as at 31 May 2023, the latest date for which such information is available.
Vacancies are filled in line with promotional arrangements, as appropriate, and by recruitment.
I have previously acknowledged the staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces, and work is ongoing to counter these. In that regard, my immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
|
Army - Strength vs Establishment by Rank (as at 31 May 2023) |
||
|
Rank |
Strength in excess of Establishment |
Strength under Establishment (Vacancies) |
|
Lt Gen |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
Maj Gen |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
Brig Gen |
-1 |
|
|
Col |
+2 |
|
|
Lt Col |
-1 |
|
|
Cmdt |
-7 |
|
|
Capt |
-35 |
|
|
Lt |
+74 |
|
|
Sgt Maj |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
BQMS |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
CS |
-9 |
|
|
CQMS |
-19 |
|
|
Sgt |
-269 |
|
|
Cpl |
-305 |
|
|
Private |
-678 |
|
|
Cadet |
+33 |
|
Naval Service - Strength vs Establishment by Rank (as at 31 May 2023) |
||
|
Rank |
Strength in excess of Establishment |
Strength under Establishment (Vacancies) |
|
Lt Gen |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
|
Maj Gen |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
|
Brig Gen |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
Col |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
Lt Col |
-1 |
|
|
Cmdt |
+6 |
|
|
Capt |
-27 |
|
|
Lt |
-6 |
|
|
Sgt Maj |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
BQMS |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
CS |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
CQMS |
-4 |
|
|
Sgt |
-113 |
|
|
Cpl |
-85 |
|
|
Private |
-118 |
|
|
Cadet |
+9 |
|
Air Corp Service - Strength vs Establishment by Rank (as at 31 May 2023) |
||
|
Rank |
Strength in excess of Establishment |
Strength under Establishment (Vacancies) |
|
Lt Gen |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
|
Maj Gen |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
|
Brig Gen |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
Col |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
Lt Col |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
Cmdt |
+4 |
|
|
Capt |
-24 |
|
|
Lt |
+11 |
|
|
Sgt Maj |
-3 |
|
|
BQMS |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
CS |
-4 |
|
|
CQMS |
At Establishment Strength |
At Establishment Strength |
|
Sgt |
-47 |
|
|
Cpl |
-66 |
|
|
Private |
-61 |
|
|
Cadet |
+8 |
