Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
12. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of personnel who have joined each branch of the Defence Forces in each of the past two years and in the first quarter of 2024; the number who have retired or left each service branch over the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21846/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra13. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of applications to join that the Defence Forces have received since the start of 2023; how many were interviewed; how many were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22097/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31 March stood at 7,510 personnel comprised of 6,087 Army, 701 Air Corps and 722 Naval Service personnel. Tables containing the specific breakdown of inductions, discharges, applications, interviews and numbers offered employment, as requested by the deputies, will be provided.
The military authorities further advise that the reasons for high attrition rates within the recruitment process include a high percentage of applicants who submit their applications but do not engage with the process thereafter, or do not present at the various stages of the induction process. Additionally applicants can be ineligible, be unable to achieve security clearance, or fail at the various stages of the recruitment process.
Turnover levels in the PDF are carefully monitored and the Commission on the Defence Forces stated in their report that they were satisfied that, in broad terms, levels of average turnover are not out of line with other military organisations internationally. The level of turnover in the PDF in 2023 was some 10% which includes those in training. Personnel leave the PDF for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at the end of contract and voluntary discharges. A high percentage of those who leave the PDF do so with some form of pension.
I have acknowledged there are recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces, This government will continue to work to ensure the Defence Forces remains an attractive option as a career choice for both existing and potential members. This commitment was demonstrated by the €1.23 billion allocated for the Defence Sector in Budget 2024, which included a provision for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel in 2024.
Considerable efforts are being made to address these challenges. A number of financial and non-financial retention initiatives are being implemented including an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 60, with a further increase to 62 anticipated, the doubling of the Naval Service Patrol Duty allowance, tax measures, and the extension of the provision of private secondary healthcare to all members of the PDF, in addition to significant progress on pay
I would stress that there is no lack of interest in joining the Defence Forces as evidenced by a total of 9,479 applications received across all competitions in 2023.
Inductions and Discharges, by Year and Branch, from 2022 to 31 March 2024
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Total |
|
Inductions |
||||
|
Army |
377 |
311 |
105 |
793 |
|
Naval Service |
28 |
68 |
31 |
127 |
|
Air Corp |
30 |
36 |
12 |
78 |
|
Discharges |
||||
|
Army |
716 |
600 |
133 |
1,449 |
|
Naval Service |
102 |
95 |
14 |
211 |
|
Air Corp |
73 |
60 |
11 |
144 |
Applications, Attended Interview and Employment Offers for the Permanent Defence Force from 2023 to 31 March 2024
|
- |
2023 |
2024 |
Total |
|
Applications |
9,479 |
2,165 |
11,644 |
|
Attended Interview |
1,229 |
317 |
1,546 |
|
Employment Offers |
484 |
148 |
632 |
