Defence Forces Strength.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2010

Wednesday, 21 April 2010

Ceisteanna (19)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

55 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the review with the military authorities into structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces in view of the decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 personnel, which was due to be completed in March 2010; if the Department of Finance has sanctioned the outcome as produced by the review; the timescale for the implementation of the review; the nature of cost implications from the review and its implementations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15658/10]

Freagraí ó Béal (5 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Tony Killeen

Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes.

I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 March 2010, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,877 and I have already provided the details of those figures.

The now approved strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 10,000 represents a reduction of 500 over the previous approved strength. Officials from the Department are continuing to engage with the military authorities on a review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces in light of the Government decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 personnel. This review is expected to be completed before the end of next month. Following on from this review, discussions will commence with the Department of Finance to agree an overall structure for the Defence Forces, which is sustainable within a figure of 10,000 serving personnel in the Permanent Defence Force.

Since the review is not yet completed it is not possible to comment on the nature of cost implications resulting from it and its implementation. I am glad to say that while these are challenging times, the Defence Forces have risen to the challenge and are organised, equipped and staffed in a manner which will ensure that they can continue to deliver the services required of them by Government. I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

How many ranks remain unfilled at the moment? How many officers are acting up? Would he agree with me that if ranks remain unfilled it affects the entire operational capacity of the Defence Forces and could affect their day-to-day running? Some feedback I am getting indicates that if the promotions fail to take place in the near future it will add to frustration and lead to a drain from the forces. With the numbers reduced to 10,000 it is reasonable to expect that all posts within that structure should be filled as soon as possible when it is agreed. How will the moratorium affect promotions in the Defence Forces and the filling of vacancies? Will that not be considered when the new structures are agreed? Will the moratorium affect promotions where vacancies already exist and where people have been more or less informed that they will be placed in certain positions? How will the moratorium affect that? When will these vacancies be filled? Will the moratorium affect the filling of these vacancies or promotions?

We have a new Minister for Defence. When can we expect him to announce a new Chief of Staff?

Deputy Tony Killeen

I do not have information on the final question at this point. However, I will inform the Deputies as soon as that information becomes available.

To the best of my recollection there are approximately 100 people in acting-up posts and perhaps approximately 50 promotions to address parity, operational and command requirements. If that is incorrect I will come back to the Deputy in that regard. As I explained in the original reply, there are ongoing discussions with the Department of Finance on the implications of the issues the Deputy raised on people acting up at various levels and the filling of command positions at various levels, which need to be addressed in the context of the operational capacity of the Defence Forces in any event. That is progressing and I would hope the matter would be addressed in the very near future.

Deputy Brian O’Shea

This is a fundamental question. Obviously with a review of structures against a background of a reduction of 500 in personnel complement it means that some posts will be suppressed or not filled, which will have an impact on promotions. Will the completion of the review have a bearing on the date for the announcement of recruitment into the armed forces generally? While we are considering the structures at a higher level, obviously there are adjustments at a lower level. Until all that is clear, is there a possibility that this will unduly delay the recruitment process?

Deputy Tony Killeen

I expect the review will be completed by the end of May, which is not a very long time away. An overall structure then needs to be agreed with the Department of Finance. The Deputy is correct that that could have implications for the kind of recruitment that would be undertaken. If that were to be a long drawn out process I would be unhappy if the impact were to delay ordinary recruitment, particularly if as we go along, as I am finding already, there are areas where recruitment is becoming quite urgent and needs to be addressed. In an ideal world I would like to do the two in parallel or close together, but that may not be possible. The recruitment imperative might drive that as the priority.