Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2022
191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Naval Service is being upgraded in line with the recent report; the extent to which recruitment is a major part of this reorganisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58646/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which recruitment continues to remain an ongoing issue in the Defence Forces with particular reference to all branches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58650/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Army including the Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58651/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which recruitment to the Air Corps is enhanced with a view to bringing the strength of the force in line with modern requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58657/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he remains satisfied that the Air Corps is being reorganised in line with the recently published reports on the Defence Forces; if its strength is sufficient to meet requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58660/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 191, 195, 196, 202 and 205 together.
As at 31 October 2022, the strength of the Defence Forces was 8,074 comprised of 6,541 Army, 715 Air Corps and 818 Naval Service Personnel. The strength of the Reserve Defence Forces, comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve, and the Naval Service Reserve, was 1,810 personnel, the Army Reserve accounting for 1,419 of that figure.
Arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Government has approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability that will require an additional 2,000 personnel beyond the current establishment figure of 9,500.The Defence Forces are developing strategies to achieve increased recruitment and to address the current shortfall in numbers, across all branches of the Defence Forces.
To address existing staffing challenges, General Service and Direct Entry recruitment is ongoing and has resulted in 358 inductions as of 31 October 2022 with further inductions due to take place before the end of the year. There were 42 Cadets inducted in November across the Army, Air Corps, and the Naval Service. A separate recruitment competition has also been launched specifically for Air Corps recruits, who in the past were drawn from the wider General Service recruitment pool.
The re-entry schemes for former personnel have boosted specialist numbers. The terms & conditions and scope of Direct Entry competitions remain under consideration as does the maximum recruitment age for all competitions. The 'Be More' recruitment campaign, launched this year, highlights the career opportunities available in the Defence Forces and also the wider benefits of membership, in line with one of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces that these be made known.
My focus is now on bringing the strength of all branches of the Defence Forces to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
