David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 21: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made by him and the military authorities in relation to the necessary structural and rank changes to the Permanent Defence Forces to meet operational requirements under the Employment Control Framework; if he has received proposals in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47414/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force. Government approval was secured in the context of budget 2010 for a level of 10,000 all ranks. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes. In 2011, the Permanent Defence Force, like all areas of the public service, will operate on a reduced budget. I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 30 November 2010 was 9,502, comprising 7,704 Army, 769 Air Corps and 1,029 Naval Service personnel.

The official confirmation and details were received on 18 October 2010 from the Department of Finance on the employment control framework (ECF) for the Defence Forces. The ECF is based on a figure of 10,000 all ranks Permanent Defence Force personnel, appropriately configured across the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps to enable them meet the roles assigned by Government.

Officials from the Department together with the military authorities are in the process of reviewing the structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Permanent Defence Force in accordance with the upper limits in ranks provided for in the ECF. Thereafter a detailed proposal will be submitted to me.

Detailed proposals on foot of the review of the structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Permanent Defence Force, within the reduced numbers and reduced resources, will include a phased plan for promotions. This will seek to address the priority posts to be filled in relation to the re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Forces.

The official confirmation of numbers, provided by the ECF and the criteria of the National Recovery Plan 2011 - 2014 are now being considered by the military authorities and officials of the Department, for the purpose of outlining a structure capable of meeting the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces.

Overall numbers in the Permanent Defence Force, including numbers serving at various ranks will be subject to ongoing control and monitoring by the Department of Finance on a monthly basis. This is to ensure compliance within the overall parameters and controls set by Government for each sector. The ECF also sets out that it will be necessary to underpin the re-organisation with the required amendments to regulations and administrative instructions.

While these are challenging times, my priority is to ensure that the Defence Forces are organised, equipped and staffed in a manner which will ensure that they can continue to deliver the services required of them by Government.

I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

According to the Minister's reply, the Permanent Defence Forces appears to be 500 under strength. Is the Minister allowed to bring the Defence Forces to a strength of 10,000, all ranks? Does this mean he has a flexibility to increase the numbers by, approximately, 500? Has he plans to do that in the immediate future?

Does the Minister know when the review will be completed? Has he asked the military authorities and his officials when the review might be completed and when it might be presented to him?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With regard to Deputy Stanton's first question, Deputies will be aware that a recruitment process is under way currently. Those who have been recruited in that process are not included in the numbers given in my reply. In the initial phase, approximately 40 personnel will be assigned to each of the divisions. I have organised the recruitment process in such a way that it is open to being worked on as the opportunity presents itself. That must be done within the financial constraints. It is important that the ECF and the allocation of posts be based of the 10,000 figure. That is how we will move forward.

The difficulty anticipated by Deputy Stanton would only arise at the end of the current phase of recruitment when a new phase begins. That will be this time next year or a little later. For the moment, the recruitment process is under way and there is considerable flexibility there.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister did not answer my second question. When does he expect to get the review into his hands and take action on the ECF?

The Minister also spoke about phased promotions. Can he indicate when these might begin? Is the ECF not a crucial element in them? Will he let us know if there are surplus posts in the organisational structure that may need to be taken out as part of the employment control framework? Is that part of the reason he is not making decisions on this?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The implementation of the ECF has been the subject of discussions between the representative groups and Department officials, and considerable progress has been made. We went over this ground at yesterday's meeting with the representative associations. Difficulties that had been encountered up to that point were advanced somewhat.

There is an implementation body that deals with issues arising from the Croke Park agreement. It will meet next week, perhaps on 20 December. Organisations that are parties to the agreement have the right to attend the meeting in question, at which some of the issues to which the Deputy referred will be dealt with. I understand that promotional posts will begin to be filled in the early part of the new year. The process of filling these posts will continue throughout 2011.

The Deputy also referred to surplus posts. I understand that at present quite a number of people are acting up in various capacities. On the previous occasion on which I answered parliamentary questions in the House, I stated that this figure was more than 100. Even though I offered that number from memory, it turned out to be correct. Most of the posts in question will be replaced by the permanent posts on offer under the ECF. I am not sure whether there are surplus posts and I would be surprised if such posts existed.