Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
44. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on his Department's efforts to increase the number of permanent personnel within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50886/23]
View answer45. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on recruitment and retention within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50919/23]
View answerI ask the Tánaiste provide an update on the ongoing efforts by the Department to boost numbers of permanent personnel in the Defence Forces. Additionally, I would like to hear his thoughts on the current situation regarding recruitment and retention within our Defence Forces and any plans or initiatives to address concerns.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.
The military authorities advise that at the end of October 2023, the number of personnel in the Defence Forces stood at 7,595. The establishment of the Defence Forces was recently increased to 9,589. This increase is intended to expedite implementation of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, through the creation of 89 additional promotional opportunities.
I have previously acknowledged recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces and the initiatives underway to counter these challenges such as ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment. A joint induction training centre has been established in Gormanston, with a view to increasing the throughput of recruits. The maximum age of entry has been increased to 29 years for general service recruits, apprentices, and certain specialists, and fitness test scoring has been amended to maximise induction levels. External HR expertise has also been engaged to validate Defence Forces recruitment efforts and a marine specialist recruitment body has been contracted to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.
Other initiatives include significant progress on pay with current pay rates, including military service allowance, for the ranks of three star private and able seaman in their first three years of service starting at €38,016 in Year 1, rising to €40,700 in Year 3 of service. On being commissioned, a graduate cadet starts on €47,245, and a school leaver cadet starts at €41,962 while in full-time third level education.
Private medical care has been rolled out to all ranks in the Defence Forces
The Deputies will be aware of my recent announcement on the new Naval Service patrol duty allowance to be introduced from 1 January 2024. This allowance will consolidate the current patrol duty allowance and the sea going service commitment scheme.
There have also been improvements in conditions for medical officers. My immediate focus remains on stabilising the numbers of personnel, and to facilitate capacity for further increases. This will enable us to align ultimately with the level of ambition recommended in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and agreed by Government.
I commend the Tánaiste and the efforts he has made to enhance recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. I have taken note of the commitment to increase recruitment by 2,000 by the end of 2028 , as well as the various strategies the Tánaiste has outlined that have been devised to bolster recruitment and address the existing shortfalls. The comprehensive packages encompassing aspects like pay, conditions equipment, accommodation and medical provision is evidently improving the situation substantially. What are the plans for media campaigns to attract new recruits?
Additionally, I wish to inquire about the impact of the ongoing global conflicts on individuals who may be considering careers in the Defence Forces. What is the Tánaiste doing to combat any negativity associated with the profession?
This year alone, 409 personnel have been inducted into the Defence Forces, comprising 310 general service recruits, 61 cadets and a number of others in various specialist positions. We have provided unlimited resources for media, and various campaigns are on the way for both the Naval Service and the Defence Forces more generally. General service recruitment is ongoing. There are campaigns also seeking direct-entry applications from qualified doctors, motor technicians and so forth, as well as for women in the recruitment of specialists.
On the media side-----
The Tánaiste will have a chance to come back in.
I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I note his key interest in both the marine and the Naval Service, and it is certainly an area where we certainly need additional resources to enhance the security of our offshore equipment. Our gas connectors play a pivotal role in these endeavours and the involvement of our Naval Service in this capacity is indispensable as we lay the foundations for new infrastructure offshore.
In regard to the Naval Service and psychometric testing for potential recruits, I understand there has been a six-month pause on the process since last June. Prior to this pause, it was observed that up to 54% of candidates who had undergone psychometric testing as part of the selection process did not meet the required standard. Will the Tánaiste give an update on this pause and its implications for both recruitment and induction numbers?
Before the Tánaiste replies, Deputy Durkan would like to come in.
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Again, I congratulate the Tánaiste on his progressive approach to the issues raised by a number of Deputies. Has there been a strict identification of the cause or causes of recruitment and retention difficulties in the Defence Forces? Have women been reassured by the actions to date that the Defence Forces can be a place to follow a career in safety, with an assurance it is the right place to go? Can both women and men be satisfied that the actions being taken are addressing the issues that caused a lack of security in that regard?
There were a number of issues there. The pause in psychometric testing for the Naval Service continues but we will have an evaluation of it.
Specific advertising for specialist recruitment is placed in industry-specific publications. Deputy Dillon talked about campaigns and websites. As part of the Naval Service-specific recruitment campaign, the second phase of an advertisement was launched in October of this year and it is planned that it will run until early December. The marketing strategy for the Defence Forces recruitment rebrand, “Be More with the Irish Defence Forces”, which was launched in 2022, aligns the desire of the target demographic to continuously improve and learn new skills with ensuring long-term career advancement by ably demonstrating the opportunities a career in the Defence Forces offers.
The Defence Forces continue to broadcast this message through regular visits to schools and frequent attendance at recruitment and career fair events. Transition year students can avail of placements within the organisation to undertake various programmes in a number of locations demonstrating career opportunities. In fact, Deputy Dillon attended the ploughing championships and will have seen the presentation by the Defence Forces.
On female recruitment initiatives, we have implemented specific measures to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. We have established a female-specific recruitment team, which co-ordinates the attendance of tri-service females in specific recruiting teams at national, regional and local levels.
