Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:72. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies at each rank in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19311/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 2 May 2018
Ceisteanna (72)
Freagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are available, was 8,993 (Whole-Time Equivalent) comprising 7,229 Army, 717 Air Corps and 1,047 Naval Service Personnel. The following table outlines the total vacancies by rank, based on the agreed establishment for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. In this context, it is my intention that recruitment and promotions will continue in order to fill rank vacancies.
Targeted recruitment will continue to ensure that the Permanent Defence Force can continue to deliver all operational outputs required by government both at home and overseas. Recent 2018 Cadetship and General Service recruitment competitions have just closed and it is anticipated that 800 new entrants will be inducted to the Defence Forces across all services and competition streams in 2018.
|
Rank |
9,500 Rank Establishment |
Strength at 31 March 2018 |
Vacancies by Rank |
|
Lieutenant General |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Major General |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Brigadier General |
8 |
8 |
0 |
|
Colonel |
39 |
38 |
1 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
139 |
131 |
8 |
|
Commandant |
336 |
329 |
7 |
|
Captain |
452 |
365 |
87 |
|
Lieutenant |
256 |
239 |
17 |
|
Sergeant Major |
43 |
39 |
4 |
|
BQMS |
43 |
43 |
0 |
|
CS/FS/BS |
246 |
230 |
16 |
|
CQMS/FQMS |
198 |
178 |
20 |
|
Sergeant |
1,330 |
1,028 |
302 |
|
Corporal |
1,801 |
1,589 |
212 |
|
Private |
4,606 |
4,636 |
-30 |
|
Cadets |
Not applicable |
137 |
Not applicable |
|
Total |
9,500 |
8993 |
644 |
**Additionally there are 73 personnel on career breaks and 3 personnel on secondment who are not included in the strengths in the table.