Written Answers Nos. 215-225
215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces including Reserve, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the number of women in each branch of the services; the likelihood of recruitment or replacements following retirements in 2017 and over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44248/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table below sets out the information requested by the Deputy as of 30 September 2017.
|
Army |
Navy |
Air Corps |
Army Reserve &Naval Service Reserve |
|
|
Strength (WTE) |
7,282 |
1,075 |
705 |
1,916 (effective) |
|
Female Strength (WTE) |
486 |
65 |
35 |
279 (effective) |
The 2015 White Paper on Defence commits to maintaining the strength of the PDF at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. In that regard, there is significant ongoing recruitment at both enlisted and officer level. A range of recruitment methods are being employed including direct entry competitions for specialist positions and the scope to further expand direct entry is being considered.
There have been two General Service Recruitment Campaigns this year.
A campaign was launched in February 2017 so as to provide a panel of recruits for this year. This campaign resulted in a total of 5,210 applicants (of which 661 were female), broken down as follows:
- Army – 3,785 (479F)
- Naval Service – 1,425 (182F)
A new General Service Recruitment Campaign was launched in September 2017 and closes on the 27 October, 2017. This will provide a panel for recruit inductions in 2018. There have been 2,172 application so far (of which 283 were female), broken down as follows:
- Army – 1,594 (185F)
- Naval Service 2017 – 578 (98F)
So far in 2017, 566 enlisted personnel have been inducted together with 99 Officer Cadets. It is estimated that approximately 800 personnel will be inducted by end 2017.
With regard to the Reserve Defence Force, a General Service Recruitment campaign was conducted between 26 July 2017 and 6 September 2017. There were 1,221 applicants to this campaign of which 162 were female. These applications remain under administration through the recruitment process by the Brigades and Formations.
The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with operational requirements of each of the three services. As stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence, continuous recruitment is the lifeblood of the Defence Forces providing young, motivated and enthusiastic personnel to replenish military formations for operational deployments. Over the course of the White Paper, the Government are committed to retaining a PDF establishment of 9,500 serving personnel. To this end, the Defence Forces will review and develop rolling medium term manpower planning requirements so as to deliver an effective and efficient workforce mix in terms of age profile, skills, competencies and experience, and current personnel policies to support this will be further developed and implemented.
With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, the Government is committed to retaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.
216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which discussions continue to take place at EU level with a view to assuring a high degree preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack; if the Defence Forces continue to be adequately briefed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary responsibility for security matters and the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. There is significant engagement on an ongoing basis with respect to international terrorism with other countries in the EU.
Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
There is ongoing and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including ATCP deployments and a wide variety of military training activities are specifically designed to counter or respond to possible security emergencies. Regular coordination and liaison meetings also take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues.
218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which he remains satisfied with the ability of the Defence Forces to respond to an emergency that might arise; if the quality and extent of the military equipment available remains in line with best international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44251/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister with Special Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces, including the availability of specialised equipment, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas.
In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to emergencies caused by severe weather events, such as the storms and flooding, rests with the three designated principal response agencies, namely, the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Service Executive. The Defence Forces provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) role.
At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency and that the command structure within the Defence Forces is compatible with the requirements in this area.
The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, commensurate with operational requirements, is available for deployments in response to emergency situations. The most important asset that the Defence Forces can provide is personnel, equipped with personal protective equipment, to operate during extreme weather events and with the capacity to support and sustain those personnel if deployed.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources available to them, including a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government. This includes the provision of relevant assistance in response to any emergency situations that may arise.
219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Air Corps and Naval Service continue to co-operate in air and sea rescue missions; the availability of adequate trained personnel to meet all contingencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44252/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which all military aircraft, fixed wing and helicopters, remain available and in operational order to the Air Corps in the event of emergency and search and rescue operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44256/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 223 together.
My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks including supporting the Irish Coast Guard. With particular reference to Search and Rescue, since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region. Both the Naval Service and the Air Corps continue to provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an “as available” basis in line with a Service Level Agreement which sets out their roles and responsibilities in this regard. The Defence Organisation will continue to provide air and sea support, as available, to the Irish Coast Guard in respect of Coast Guard search and rescue operations.
I am satisfied that the resources are available to the Defence Forces, to enable the fulfilment of all roles assigned by Government.
220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which young unemployed persons have been able to join the Defence Forces; if a specific programme exists in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44253/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplication to join the Defence Forces is open to all. There is no specific advertising or recruitment aimed at those who are unemployed. The Defence Forces require men and women from all backgrounds that possess a strong sense of duty, enjoy working as part of a team, and are looking for a rewarding yet challenging career.
The White Paper on Defence committed the Government to putting in place a new employment support scheme with the direct involvement of the Defence Forces. Following an evaluation of a pilot programme and Ministerial approval, two iterations of the programme will be conducted in 2017.
The objective of this 10-week scheme is to help develop a path to economic independence for participants, aged between 18 and 24 years, who are at a serious disadvantage owing to their current socio-economic situation. The scheme is designed with the specific aim of equipping participants with life and other marketable and certifiable skills which will assist them both in their capacity to participate fully in society as well as their ability to enter the workforce and or to pursue further education for this purpose.
Participants retain any Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection benefits that they are currently entitled to for the duration of the Scheme. Participation on the scheme is wholly voluntary for the relevant cohort of jobseekers and there is no penalty applied for non-participation or engagement in the programme. Participants do not receive any payment from the Department of Defence.
221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces can be mobilised in the event of natural disasters including flooding in view of the preferability of early deployment and the need to use specialist equipment in such situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44254/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces and all others involved in dealing with major natural disasters can be called into action at short notice; if the overall chain of command for dealing with such disasters has been adequately fine tuned to ensure maximum response in the minimum time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44258/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 225 together.
At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency and that the command structure within the Defence Forces is compatible with the requirements in this area.
In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to emergencies caused by severe weather events, such as storms and flooding, rests with the three designated principal response agencies, namely, the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Service Executive. The Defence Forces provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority role.
Major Emergency Plans have been developed by local and regional authorities and these Plans identify the procedures for requesting assistance from the Defence Forces.
The Defence Forces retains a wide range of specialist skills which can be deployed in such circumstances. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment are available for deployment in response to any emergencies that may arise. The Operations Directorate in Defence Forces Headquarters manages the necessary cross-service coordination in responding to requests for support. These arrangements have proved effective in all emergencies encountered to date.
I am satisfied that the assistance provided by the Defence Forces is provided in a co-ordinated way and that the tried and tested arrangements work well in response to emergencies.
222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which promotional vacancies remain to be filled in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44255/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to maintaining a strength level of 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). 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 of 30 September 2017, the strength of the PDF was 9,062 (Whole Time Equivalent).
The following table outlines the promotional posts vacant within the PDF, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 August 2017, the latest date for which such figures are available.
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.
The interview stage of a new NCO promotion competition, to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above, has taken place over the last few months. Vacancies are currently being filled from this competition.
It is my intention that promotions will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.
PDF vacancies as at 31 August 2017
|
Col |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Captain |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
Sgt |
Cpl |
|
|
Army |
2 |
4 |
-2 |
35 |
3 |
6 |
31 |
27 |
159 |
91 |
|
Air Corps |
0 |
3 |
2 |
14 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
27 |
32 |
|
Navy |
0 |
1 |
-6 |
28 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
2 |
58 |
52 |
|
Total |
2 |
8 |
-6 |
77 |
5 |
7 |
44 |
32 |
244 |
175 |
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.
