Bernard Durkan
Ceist:513. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions, waiting to be filled throughout the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22393/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 9 June 2015
Ceisteanna (513)
Freagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 May 2015, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,294, comprising 7,442 Army, 766 Air Corps and 1,086 Naval Service personnel.
The following table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 May 2015, based on the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.
Promotions are ongoing within the Officer and Non-Commissioned ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. New NCO promotion competitions to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above were held in late 2014 and promotions are currently underway.
In addition, targeted recruitment will continue in 2015 so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel. It is my intention that promotions, along with targeted recruitment, will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.
PDF Strength by Rank as at 31 May 2015 versus PDF Rank Establishment of 9,500
|
Lt Gen |
Maj Gen |
Brig Gen |
Col |
Lt Col |
Cmdt |
Capt |
Lt |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
Sgt |
Cpl |
Pte/Cadet |
|
|
Army Rank Establishment |
1 |
2* |
6 |
37 |
110 |
255 |
306 |
167 |
29 |
33 |
114 |
170 |
973 |
1,437 |
3,880 |
|
Army Strength |
1 |
2 |
7 |
33 |
103 |
251 |
272 |
229 |
29 |
33 |
113 |
170 |
913 |
1,379 |
3,907** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
34 |
-62 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
60 |
58 |
-27 |
|
Air Corp Rank Establishment |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
36 |
65 |
48 |
8 |
4 |
56 |
14 |
131 |
183 |
324 |
|
Air Corps Strength |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
32 |
59 |
25 |
8 |
4 |
53 |
14 |
121 |
161 |
275** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
23 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
10 |
22 |
49 |
|
Naval Service Rank Establishment |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
45 |
81 |
41 |
6 |
7 |
75 |
15 |
226 |
180 |
402 |
|
Naval Service Strength |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
43 |
64 |
31 |
6 |
7 |
75 |
15 |
226 |
150 |
453** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
17 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
-51 |
|
Total Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0* |
-1 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
57 |
-29 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
70 |
110 |
-29 |
* For administrative record purposes, the two Major General Appointments in the Permanent Defence Force are held against the establishment for the Army. One of these posts is currently filled by an Air Corps Officer and the other by a Naval Service Officer.
** Includes 26 Army Cadets, 18 Air Corps Cadets and 11 Naval Service Cadets. There are an additional 27 personnel on career breaks/secondment, 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 Lieutenant; Sergeant Maj or/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.