James Lawless
Ceist:89. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strength of the permanent Defence Force as of 1 June 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28295/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 June 2023
Ceisteanna (89, 92)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:92. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to improve recruitment and retention rates in the Defence Forces. [29552/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 92 together.
The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 May 2023, the latest date for which such figures are available, was 7,764 personnel.
I have previously acknowledged the staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces, and work is ongoing to counter these.
Sanction has recently been received for 100 extra positions to facilitate the implementation of the report on the Commission on the Defence Forces. This is in addition to the pending appointment of a civilian Head of Strategic HR, and the recently appointed civilian Head of Transformation, within the Defence Forces.
In response to the specific challenges in the Naval Service, a comprehensive Naval Service Regeneration Plan is being progressed. The aim of this plan is to address issues, including Human Resource matters, facing the Naval Service. As part of a Naval Service specific recruitment campaign, a Naval Service recruitment advertisement launched last week and will be rolled out across all media platforms in the coming weeks. A contract has recently been awarded to a marine specialist recruitment body to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.
The military authorities advise that current Defence Forces recruitment initiatives include ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment, the re-entry schemes and the 'Be More' recruitment campaign. The maximum age of entry was recently increased to 29 years old for General Service Recruits, Cadets, Air Corps Apprentices and certain specialists. In addition, the Defence Forces have established a Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston, with a view to increasing the throughput of recruits.
A range of financial and non-financial retention measures have been introduced by Government such as service commitment schemes, tax measures, and recent agreement to further extend the service of post-94 Privates and Corporals allowing for their continuance in service to the end of 2024. There has also been significant progress on pay. Current pay rates including Military Service Allowances for recruits on completion of their training, start at €37,147 in Year 1, rising to €38,544 in Year 2, and €39,832 in Year 3 of service.
My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.