Defence Forces Personnel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 May 2013

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Ceisteanna (313)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women serving at all ranks, in the Army, Navy and Air Corps has increased over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21554/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The tables set out the number of women by rank serving in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps at 31 December for each of the years 2003 to 2012, and at 31 March 2013, the latest date for which figures are available. These figures show that at 31 March 2013 there were a total of 565 serving in the Permanent Defence Force, a figure which equates to 6.15% of the overall strength of the Permanent Defence Force on that date. This compares favourably with a figure of 4.6% of women serving in the Permanent Defence Force on 31 December 2003. 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. 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.

The Defence Forces prides itself on providing a gender neutral working environment. Policies on equality are being constantly communicated to all ranks. The military authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing this matter in a continuing and proactive manner.

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF WOMEN IN THE ARMY 2004 - 31 MARCH 2013

-	LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
-	GEN	GEN	GEN		COL				OFFRS							NCOS
31-Dec-03					1	11	30	33	75			3	1	10	87	101	206	15	397
31-Dec-04					1	14	35	33	83			2	1	10	100	113	220	18	434
31-Dec-05					1	16	38	33	88			3	1	10	103	117	225	18	448
31-Dec-06					1	14	43	41	99			3	1	15	104	123	224	9	455
31-Dec-07					1	18	44	40	103			3	1	23	102	129	216	8	456
31-Dec-08					1	21	48	41	111			3	1	32	108	144	200	13	468
31-Dec-09					2	19	43	47	111			3	1	32	109	145	194	12	462
31-Dec-10					1	18	41	51	111			2	1	33	109	145	200	11	467
31-Dec-11					2	19	46	45	112			2	1	35	119	157	194	4	467
31-Dec-12					2	26	43	43	114			2		33	120	155	209	4	482
31-Mar-13					2	26	41	43	112			2	1	40	111	154	199	4	469

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF WOMEN IN THE AIR CORPS 2007 - 2012

-	LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
-	GEN	GEN	GEN		COL				OFFRS							NCOS
31-Dec-03							1	2	3			1			7	8	9	1	21
31-Dec-04							2	1	3			1			9	10	7	1	21
31-Dec-05							2	1	3			1		1	11	13	5	1	22
31-Dec-06							2	2	4			1		1	11	13	14	1	32
31-Dec-07							3	2	5			1		1	10	12	15	1	33
31-Dec-08							2	2	4			1		3	10	14	13	1	32
31-Dec-09							4	1	5			1		4	10	15	12	1	33
31-Dec-10							4	2	6			1		4	9	14	12		32
31-Dec-11							2	3	5			1		4	13	18	7		30
31-Dec-12							2	2	4	1				4	13	18	8		30
31-Mar-13							2	2	4	1				6	10	17	7		28

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF WOMEN IN THE NAVAL SERVICE 2007 - 2012

-	LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
-	GEN	GEN	GEN		COL				OFFRS							NCOS
31-Dec-03							2	14	16						1	1	44	5	66
31-Dec-04							3	16	19						2	2	36	2	59
31-Dec-05							6	11	17						3	3	37	2	59
31-Dec-06							8	10	18						7	7	38	6	69
31-Dec-07							10	8	18						7	7	40	6	71
31-Dec-08						2	10	11	23						9	9	35	3	70
31-Dec-09						2	10	11	23						9	9	34	6	72
31-Dec-10						2	10	14	26						8	8	34	2	70
31-Dec-11						3	13	12	28						11	11	28	1	68
31-Dec-12						6	12	10	28					2	10	12	28	2	70
31-Mar-13						6	12	10	28					2	10	12	27	1	68