Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2022
115. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotions pending throughout the Defence Forces by branch and rank in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13462/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table attached outlines the variance between current strength and the establishment strength, by Branch and by rank, within Permanent Defence Force as at 31st January 2022, the latest date for which such information is available.
Vacancies, where current strength is less than the establishment strength, are filled on an ongoing basis in line with promotional arrangements and, in certain cases, direct entry competitions and re-entry of ex PDF personnel. A number of initiatives are being implemented to counter current staffing challenges and these will play a role in restoring and retaining capacity and boosting specialist numbers.
It is normal, at a particular point in time, for some ranks to be oversubscribed and others to be undersubscribed. For example, whilst there are vacancies at the rank of Captain overall in the PDF, as can be seen in the attached table, there are currently substantially more Lieutenants than are provided for in the establishment.
