Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016
986. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and 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. [27440/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 July 2016, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,025, comprising 7,233 Army, 718 Air Corps and 1,074 Naval Service, whole time equivalent 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 July 2016, based on the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.
Promotions are ongoing within the Officer ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. A new NCO promotion competition, to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above, will be held in Q4 2016/Q1 2017.
In addition, targeted recruitment will continue in 2016 so as to maintain the serving strength at or close to 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.
|
Table |
Lt Gen |
Maj Gen |
Brig Gen |
Col |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
Sgt |
Cpl |
Pte/ Cadet |
|
Army Rank Establishment |
1 |
2 |
6 |
34 |
110 |
257 |
306 |
167 |
29 |
32 |
115 |
169 |
973 |
1,438 |
3,880 |
|
Army Strength |
1 |
2 |
5 |
31 |
108 |
259 |
272 |
153 |
29 |
32 |
104 |
161 |
892 |
1,293 |
3,891*** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
1* |
3** |
2 |
-2 |
34 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
8 |
81 |
145 |
-11 |
|
Air Corps Rank Establishment |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
14 |
36 |
65 |
48 |
8 |
4 |
56 |
14 |
131 |
183 |
324 |
|
Air Corps Strength |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
12 |
33 |
52 |
22 |
8 |
3 |
55 |
14 |
119 |
150 |
246*** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
13 |
26 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
33 |
78 |
|
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 |
51 |
49 |
28 |
6 |
7 |
74 |
15 |
179 |
132 |
517*** |
|
Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-6 |
32 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
47 |
48 |
-115 |
|
Total Vacancies by Rank |
0 |
0 |
1* |
3** |
4 |
-5 |
79 |
53 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
8 |
140 |
22 6 |
-48 |
*Within the Establishment figures there is provision for 2 Brigadier General Appointments overseas. However, with no requirement to fill 1 of the Brigadier General overseas appointments, no vacancy exists in the rank of Brigadier General in the Army.
**Within the Establishment figures there is provision for 10 Colonel Appointments overseas. However, with no requirement to fill 1 of the Colonel overseas appointments, only 2 vacancies existed in the rank of Colonel in the Army on 31 July 2016.
***Includes 29 Army Cadets, 15 Air Corps Cadets and 14 Naval Service Cadets.
There are an additional 65 personnel on career breaks/secondment, who are not included in the strengths in the table.
Note:Equivalent Naval Service RanksBrigadier General/CommodoreColonel/CaptainLieutenant Colonel/CommanderCommandant/Lieutenant CommanderCaptain/Lieutenant(NS)Lieutenant/Sub LieutenantSergeant Mayor/Warrant OfficerBattalion Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Chief Petty Officer Company Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Petty OfficerCompany Sergeant/Chief Petty OfficerSergeant/Petty OfficerCorporal/Leading SeamanPrivate/Able Seaman
