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Defence Forces Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Ceisteanna (419)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotions throughout the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in each of the past four years to date; the number of any such positions remaining to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29316/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The following tabular statement (Annex A) sets out the number of promotions which have occurred or are in train in the Army, Air Corps (AC) and Naval Service (NS) in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 2012 and to 31 May 2013, as advised by the Military Authorities. The following table (Annex B) outlines the number serving, by rank, as advised by the Military Authorities for 30 April 2013, the latest date for which figures are available. In relation to the figures provided I would like to point out to the Deputy that the Military Authorities have implemented a revised policy of reporting strength figures from 1st January 2013. With effect from this date the strength figures for the Permanent Defence Force are being calculated on the basis of actual numbers serving on the date i.e. excluding those on career breaks or leave of absence for periods exceeding eight weeks. This change in how strengths are calculated brings the strength returns for the Permanent Defence Force in line with the remainder of the Public Service.

Competitions to establish panels to fill outstanding vacancies were held last year. Promotions from the panels are currently ongoing within the Permanent Defence Force in order to fill rank vacancies. It is my intention that promotions will be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.

Annex B PDF Strength by rank as at 30 April 2013 versus PDF Rank Establishment of 9,500

9,500 Rank Establishment

Strength at 30 April 2013

Lieutenant General

1

1

Major General

2

2

Brigadier General

8

8

Colonel

41

39

Lieutenant Colonel

137

134

Commandant

336

321

Captain

452

411

Lieutenant

256

337

Sergeant Major

43

43

Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant

44

44

Company Sergeant

245

225

Company Quartermaster Sergeant

199

197

Sergeant

1,330

1,187

Corporal

1,800

1,580

Private (including Cadet)

4,606

4,634

Total

9,500

9,163

*Within the establishment figures there is provision for 10 Colonel positions overseas, however, at end of April only 8 of these were filled by Colonels, while 1 was filled by a Lt Colonel acting in the rank of Colonel, with no requirement to fill the remaining position.

Note: Equivalent Naval Service Ranks

Brigadier General/Commodore

Colonel/Captain

Lieutenant Colonel/Commander

Commandant/Lieutenant Commander

Captain/Lieutenant (NS)

Lieutenant/Sub Lieutenant

Sergeant 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.

Promotions in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service: 2009 to 31 May 2013

Annex A

 

CPL

SGT

CQMS

CS

BQMS

BSM

TOTAL NCO

LT

CAPT

COMDT

LT COL

COL

BRIG GEN

MAJ GEN

LT GEN

TOTAL OFFR

TOTAL

2009

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 -

 -

-

-

-

Army

54

23

10

2

 0

1

90

26

3

9

4

4

3

1

0

50

140

AC

5

5

1

5

 0

 0

16

3

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

4

20

NS

2

4

 0

 0

 0

0

6

0

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

3

9

Total

61

32

11

7

0

1

112

29

4

10

6

4

3

1

0

57

169

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

 -

-

-

-

 -

-

-

-

-

-

-

Army

1

17

8

1

 0

 0

27

19

53

10

6

5

0

0

1

94

121

AC

3

6

0

1

 0

 0

10

1

5

0

0

1

0

1

0

8

18

NS

0

9

 0

 0

 0

0

9

13

3

0

2

2

0

0

0

20

29

Total

4

32

8

2

0

0

46

33

61

10

8

8

0

1

1

122

168

2011

 -

-

-

-

 -

 -

-

-

-

-

-

-

 -

-

-

-

 -

Army

122

3

0

1

7

8

141

0

44

21

23

7

0

0

0

95

236

AC

29

4

 0

 0

1

2

36

0

5

6

3

1

1

0

0

16

52

NS

36

1

0

 0

2

1

40

0

17

4

5

1

1

0

0

28

68

Total

187

8

0

1

10

11

217

0

66

31

31

9

2

0

0

139

356

2012

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Army

92

6

4

26

10

7

145

34

60

66

28

14

4

1

0

207

352

AC

17

0

3

5

0

0

25

3

4

7

0

0

0

0

0

14

39

NS

30

48

8

33

3

2

124

1

6

14

2

0

0

0

0

23

147

Total

139

54

15

64

13

9

294

38

70

87

30

14

4

1

0

244

538

2013 to 31 May

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Army

30

179

23

23

0

0

255

6

0

6

2

1

0

0

0

15

270

AC

14

37

1

15

0

2

69

2

0

2

1

1

0

0

0

6

75

NS

0

5

1

2

0

0

8

3

6

3

0

0

0

0

0

12

20

Total

44

221

25

40

0

2

332

11

6

11

3

2

0

0

0

33

365

Barr
Roinn