Defence Forces Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Ceisteanna (345)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

345. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the number of maintenance and technician vacancies in 2019 and 2020; the number of applications received; the number of positions filled in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7909/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

It has not been possible to gather the required information in the turnaround time for PQs. I will revert to the Deputy when I am in a position to reply.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to the above-referenced Parliamentary Question and my original reply stating that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. The military authorities have advised that they do not record the information on vacancies and the number of vacancies filled, in the manner requested but they have calculated the information set out in the following two tables: Table 1: Vacancies* by Corps and Brigade as at 31st December in each year specified:

		1 Brigade		2 Brigade		DFTC		DFHQ
	2019	2020	2019	2020	2019	2020	2019	2020
ORD	12	10	20	20	41	41	0	0
TPT	12	11	36	34	23	22	0	0
CIS	11	6	18	16	6	4	26	24
ENG	33	27	34	32	4	0	0	0

*Vacancies are a calculation of the agreed establishment strength less the current whole time equivalent (WTE) strength for enlisted personnel.

Table 2: Number of Vacancies* filled per Corps at the end of each year specified:

		1 Brigade		2 Brigade		DFTC		DFHQ
	2019	2020	2019	2020	2019	2020	2019	2020
ORD	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0
TPT	2	0	1	1	2	3	0	0
CIS	1	1	1	3	1	3	2	4
ENG	0	2	0	1	0	3	0	0

*Figures provided above are an aggregate of enlisted personnel inducted into, less those exiting from, the relevant Corps/Brigade. Personnel exit for a variety of reasons including on promotion, transfer requests, departure from the Defence Forces etc.

Table 3: Numbers of Applications for Trainee Technician Schemes:

Corps	2019	2020
Ordnance	0	95
Transport	84	107
CIS	61	78
Engineers	160	205

Across the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), many specialities are developed in-house, which can result in a long lead in time to qualification. To fill vacancies in a speedier fashion, a range of alternative recruitment approaches have been developed further such as campaigns to recruit specialists by direct entry and the recommissioning and re-enlistment schemes.