Defence Forces Strength

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2010

Tuesday, 1 June 2010

Ceisteanna (376)

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

394 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 18 May 2010, if he will provide in terms of whole time equivalents a breakdown by rank of the members of the Permanent Defence Forces prior to the introduction of the moratorium; if he will further provide the same information relating to those currently employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22740/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 March 2009 was 10,325 and 9,856 as at 30 April 2010. A breakdown of these strengths, according to formation and rank, is provided in the tabular statements.

As previously advised in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 18 May 2010, I am acutely aware of the impact of the moratorium on the Permanent Defence Force, particularly in light of the very high turnover rate that is part of any military organisation. 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 figure reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

Targeted recruitment will be carried out in 2010 to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces. In this regard, advertisements were recently placed for recruitment to the Naval Service and some further recruitment to the Defence Forces is also under consideration in the same context. In addition, officials from the Department are continuing to engage with the Military Authorities in relation to the review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Permanent Defence Force in light of the Government decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 serving personnel.

I am advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and overseas.

STRENGTH OF THE DEFENCE FORCES 31-Mar-09

	LT GEN	MAJ GEN	BRIG GEN	COL	LT COL	Comdt	CAPT	LT	Total Offrs	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	Total NCOS	PTES	Cadets	Total
Army	1	3	7	41	131	300	231	376	1,090	32	37	134	254	1,049	1,496	3,002	4,304	37	8,433
Air Corps			1	1	12	31	56	45	146	7	4	52	13	130	176	382	292	13	833
Naval Services			1	2	12	41	42	60	158	6	6	75	15	214	174	490	398	13	1,059
Total	1	3	9	44	155	372	329	481	1,394	45	47	261	282	1,393	1,846	3874	4,994	63	10,325

STRENGTH OF THE DEFENCE FORCES 30-Apr-10

	LT GEN	MAJ GEN	BRIG GEN	COL	LT COL	Comdt	CAPT	LT	Total Offrs	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	Total NCOS	PTES	Cadets	Total
Army	1	2	6	33	114	289	278	348	1,071	25	28	126	237	990	1,401	2,807	4,126	32	8,036
Air Corps			1	2	13	28	66	38	148	7	4	50	13	130	164	368	276	5	797
Naval Service			1	2	11	38	49	57	158	4	6	72	16	213	161	472	375	18	1,023
Total	1	2	8	37	138	355	393	443	1,377	36	38	248	266	1,333	1,726	3,647	4,777	55	9,856