Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
545. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacancies at each rank currently in the Defence Forces; if further recruitment is likely in the Defence Forces in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25538/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 March 2013, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,189, comprising 7,375 Army, 781 Air Corps and 1,033 Naval Service personnel. The attached table outlines the total vacancies, by rank, based on the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. In this context it is my intention that promotions will continue in order to fill rank vacancies. Targeted recruitment will continue to ensure that the Permanent Defence Force can continue to deliver all operational outputs required by Government both at home and overseas. To this end, it is intended that further general service recruitment will take place from the existing competition panel during 2013. A recruitment competition for the intake of cadets was recently advertised, the closing date for which was 26 May 2013. All promotions along with targeted recruitment will be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to defence.
PDF Strength by rank as at 31 March 2013 versus PDF Rank Establishment of 9,500
|
- |
9,500 Rank Establishment |
Strength at 31 March 2013 |
Vacancies by Rank |
|
Lieutenant General |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Major General |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Brigadier General |
8 |
8 |
0 |
|
Colonel |
41 |
39 |
*2 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
137 |
135 |
2 |
|
Commandant |
336 |
326 |
10 |
|
Captain |
452 |
422 |
30 |
|
Lieutenant |
256 |
339 |
-83 |
|
Sergeant Major |
43 |
43 |
0 |
|
Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant |
44 |
44 |
0 |
|
Company Sergeant |
245 |
222 |
23 |
|
Company Quartermaster Sergeant |
199 |
196 |
3 |
|
Sergeant |
1,330 |
1,142 |
188 |
|
Corporal |
1,800 |
1,622 |
178 |
|
Private (including Cadet) |
4,606 |
4,712 |
-106 |
|
Total |
9,500 |
9,253 |
247 |
*Within the establishment figures there is provision for ten Colonel positions overseas, however, at end of March only eight of these were filled with no requirement to fill remaining two. There are an additional 64 personnel on career breaks who are not included in the strengths in the above table.
Note: Equivalent Naval Service Ranks
Brigadier General/Commodore
Colonel/Captain
Lieutenant Colonel/Commander
Commandant/Lieutenant Commander
Captain/Lieutenant (NS)
Lieutenant/Sub LieutenantSergeant Mayor/Warrant Officer
Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Chief Petty Officer
Company Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Petty Officer
Company Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer
Sergeant/Petty Officer
Corporal/Leading Seaman
Private/Able Seaman
