Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:
151. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the current establishment number for Defence Forces personnel, permanent, reserve and civilian support staff; the way these figures compare to the number of personnel in 1999, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10956/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.
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. I am now in a position to do so.
The table below sets out the establishment and the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in 1999 and as at 28th February 2021. As there is no establishment set for civilian employees, the table only details the civilian employee strength for the same periods.
|
|
|
PDF
|
|
RDF
|
|
Civilian Employees
|
|
|
Establishment
|
Strength
|
Establishment
|
Strength
|
Establishment
|
Strength
|
|
1999
|
11,500
|
11,044
|
22,785
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
1,245
|
|
2021
|
9,500
|
8,551
|
4,069
|
1,574
|
N/A
|
457
|
In the table above:
1. PDF strength figures prior to 2013 include personnel on secondment or career break. Strength figures from 2013 are given exclusive of those personnel.
2. RDF figures for 1999 relate to An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (FCÁ) and an Slua Muirí, forerunners of the current Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve.
3. While the Establishment of the FCA and an Slua Muirí in 1999 was 22,110 and 675 respectively (22,785 in total), due to public expenditure restrictions in place, it was not permitted to exceed a strength of 16,712 at that time. ‘Actual’ strength figures for 1999 are not available.
4. The RDF strength figures for 2021 are for effective members as at 28th February 2021.
A key factor in the reduction in civilian employee numbers was the major reorganisation of the Defence Forces in 2012 into two full strength brigades. The Department works with the Defence Forces in identifying priority vacancies and civilian personnel are recruited on the basis of operational needs across the organisation.
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).
Recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged. To address these a range of initiatives, such as re-commissioning and re-enlistment of former personnel saw an inflow of PDF experience across 2020. While Covid 19 impacted on the numbers inducted in 2020, inductions and training were resumed during the year taking public health guidelines into account.
The PSPC report on recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces made a range of recommendations with a view to addressing recruitment and retention issues and these have been progressed through a series of projects. In addition, the independent Commission on the Defence Forces is tasked with examining a range of issues, including recruitment and retention.
