Defence Forces Personnel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Ceisteanna (612, 613, 614)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

612. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by rank in the Army; the number for the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20915/20]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

613. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by rank in the Naval Service; the number for the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20916/20]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

614. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by rank in the Air Corps; the number for the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20917/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 612 to 614, inclusive, together.

The attached document contains the information in tabular form, as requested by the Deputy.

Strength by Branch and by Rank

The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining, the agreed strength of the PDF at 9,500 personnel.  However, the capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train recruits in 2020 was severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation but those aspects of the induction process that could be conducted remotely continued throughout the year and inductions/training have been resumed taking public health guidelines into account. 

The report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) of 2019 contains a range of recommendations aimed at improving work-force planning, recruitment and conditions of service for members of the Defence Forces. A High Level Plan to give effect to the recommendations of the PSPC is being implemented.

It should be noted that as the High Level Implementation Plan contains short, medium and long term measures, the full impact of these measures will take time to determine. There are also a range of external variables which impact on recruitment and retention and which can change and these will be carefully monitored to assess their effect as they arise.

The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments aimed at stabilising and restoring the strength of the Defence Forces. An independent Commission will be established to undertake a comprehensive review of the defence requirements of the State. This review will include, inter alia, consideration of pay, allowances, recruitment retention and career progression of members of the Defence Forces. It is also intended that on completion of this review, a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces will be established.