Defence Forces Strength.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2008

Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Ceisteanna (152, 153)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

207 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the strength by rank and gender of the Army, Navy and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43093/08]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

210 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of women at senior officer level in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43096/08]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 210 together.

There are twenty-three (23) females at senior officer level in the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 October 2008. This consists of twenty-two (22) at Commandant or equivalent rank and one (1) at Lieutenant-Colonel rank. A detailed breakdown of the strength by rank and gender of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are in the following Tabular Statement. The Government is 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 Forces activities. Female strength in the Permanent Defence Force has increased from 468 at the end of 2001 to 575 as at 31 October 2008. Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. All promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit.

STRENGTH OF MALES IN THE DEFENCE FORCES 31-Oct-08
	LT GEN	MAJ GEN	BRIG GEN	COL	LT	Comdt.	Capt.	LT COL	Total Offrs.	SM	BQMs	CS	CQMs	SGTs	CPLs	Total NCOs	PTEs	Cadets	Total
Army	1	3	7	41	130	288	189	305	964	32	36	132	251	1021	1347	2816	4272	58	8,110
Air Corps			1	2	13	32	53	42	143	7	4	47	14	131	163	366	279	13	801
Naval Service			1	2	12	41	33	48	137	6	7	76	15	216	166	486	370	10	1,003
Total	1	3	9	45	155	361	275	395	1244	45	47	255	280	1368	1676	3668	4921	81	9,914
STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE DEFENCE FORCES 31-Oct-08
	LT GEN	MAJ GEN	BRIG GEN	COL	LT COL	Comdt.	CAPT	LT	Total Offrs.	SM	BQMs	CS	CQMs	SGTs	CPLs	TotalNCOs	PTEs	Cadets	Total
Army					1	20	48	41	110			3	1	30	106	140	208	13	471
Air Corps							3	2	5			1		3	10	14	13	1	33
Naval Service						2	9	12	23						9	9	36	3	71
Total					1	22	60	55	138			4	1	33	125	163	257	17	575
STRENGTH OF THE DEFENCE FORCES 31-Oct-08
	LT GEN	MAJ GEN	BRIG GEN	COL	LT COL	COMDT	CAPT	LT	Total Offrs.	SM	BQMs	CS	CQMs	SGTs	CPLs	TotalNCOs	PTEs	Cadets	Total
Army	1	3	7	41	131	308	237	346	1074	32	36	132	252	1051	1453	2956	4480	71	8,581
Air Corps			1	2	13	32	56	44	148	7	4	48	14	134	173	380	292	14	834
Naval Service			1	2	12	43	42	60	160	6	7	76	15	216	175	495	406	13	1,074
Total	1	3	9	45	156	383	335	450	1382	45	47	256	281	1401	1801	3831	5178	98	10489