Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2021
292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions to be filled in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25473/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below outlines total number of vacancies that existed in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31st March 2021, the latest date for which such information is available, broken down into the three Branches:
|
Total |
Army |
Naval Service |
Air Corps |
|
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
2 |
4 |
- |
- |
|
Commandant |
- |
11 |
- |
- |
|
Captain |
92 |
49 |
21 |
22 |
|
Lieutenant |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
|
Sergeant Major |
4 |
- |
1 |
3 |
|
Company Sergeant |
15 |
6 |
- |
9 |
|
Company Quartermaster Sergeant |
8 |
7 |
1 |
- |
|
Sergeant |
258 |
146 |
78 |
34 |
|
Corporal |
347 |
239 |
54 |
54 |
Vacancies are filled on an ongoing basis in line with promotional arrangements and, in certain cases, direct entry competitions.
It is normal, at a particular point in time, for some Branches and ranks to be oversubscribed and others to be undersubscribed. For example, whilst there are 11 vacancies at the rank of Commandant in the Army on the date in question, the rank of Commandant is oversubscribed by 3 in the Air Corp and by 8 in the Naval Service on the same date. Similarly, whilst there are vacancies at the rank of Captain, there are currently substantially more Lieutenants than are provided for in the establishment and the overall number of Officers exceeds the establishment figure.
