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Defence Forces Personnel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Ceisteanna (846)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

846. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of promotional posts vacant in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32981/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is committed to maintaining a strength level of 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force. This comprises 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31 May 2017 was 9,116 personnel, comprising 7,321 Army, 706 Air Corps and 1,089 Naval Service, whole time equivalent.

The table outlines the promotional posts vacant within the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 May 2017.

The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services.

In this regard, 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, is currently underway. Promotions from the order of merit lists from this competition will commence in the third quarter of 2017.

It is my intention that promotions will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.

PDF vacancies as at 31 May 2017

 

Lt Col

Comdt

Captain

SM

BQMS

CS

CQMS

Sgt

Cpl

Army

9

-

40

3

4

26

19

145

87

Air Corps

3

2

13

1

-

4

3

26

31

Navy

-

-

28

-

1

9

2

58

49

Total

12

2

81

4

5

39

24

229

167

Note : Equivalent Naval Service Ranks Lieutenant Colonel/Commander; Commandant/Lieutenant Commander; Captain/Lieutenant (NS); Sergeant Major/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.

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