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Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2021

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Ceisteanna (244, 245)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of women currently serving in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the extent to which this number has varied over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56811/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of women currently holding senior positions in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the number of promotional posts likely to arise in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56812/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.

I am advised by the military authorities that, as at 31st October 2021, the whole time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 601 comprised of 487 Army personnel, 40 Air Corps personnel and 74 Naval Service personnel.

The strength of female personnel in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service for each of the years 2011-2020 is provided in Table 1 (attached) while the current strength is provided, in the requested breakdown, in Table 2 (attached).

In line with current policies and commitments a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. These include:

- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework.

- A Gender Equality and Diversity Officer has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces are committed to gender equality and employ a gender perspective in the planning and execution of operations both at home and overseas and in all policies and regulations. Gender Advisors are available to all Brigades and Services and trained Gender Focal Points are deployed with all overseas units and ships in order to promote a gender perspective in operations.

- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.

Vacancies, where current strength is less than the establishment strength, are filled on an ongoing, gender neutral basis. They are filled in line with promotional arrangements and, in certain cases, direct entry competitions and re-entry of ex PDF personnel. Vacancies at Private Rank are filled by general service recruitment and direct entry competition. Table 3 shows all vacancies (negative figures in Column D) as at 31st October 2021.

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.

Female Personnel Table

Permanent Defence Forces Table

Establishment by Rank Table

Question No. 245 answered with Question No. 244.
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