Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda for the next ten years. It also considers the defence capabilities required so the Defence Forces can successfully deliver on the roles assigned by the Government. In this context, the White Paper on Defence also highlights a number of medium and long-term strategies in the area of manpower planning. The White Paper addresses the need to review and develop rolling medium-term planning requirements so as to deliver an effective and efficient workforce mix in terms of age profile, skills, competencies and experience, and current policies to support this will be further developed and implemented. To that end, a number of White Paper projects are currently under way and are being jointly developed by military and civil personnel.

The Government is committed to maintaining the establishment of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising 7,520 Army personnel, 886 Air Corps personnel and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. On an ongoing basis, the manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force, targeted recruitment has been, and is currently, taking place to maintain the agreed strength levels. As with other areas of the public service, challenges have arisen in regard to the recruitment and retention of personnel in particular areas of expertise.

I am advised by the military authorities that a total of 590 general service recruits were enlisted into the Permanent Defence Force in 2016, of whom 501 were enlisted in the Army and 89 were enlisted in the Naval Service. In addition, 100 cadetships were awarded following the 2016 cadetship competitions in the Naval Service, Army and Air Corps.

I am advised by the military authorities that their planned target is to induct approximately 850 to 900, or just 900, new entrants to the Defence Forces across all services and competition streams in 2017. I am further advised that, to date in 2017, a total of 106 general service recruits have been enlisted.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

A new general service recruitment campaign was launched on 23 February 2017 and the 2017 cadetship competition was launched last week. Direct-entry competitions are also held as required, from which specialist appointments are filled. An Air Corps apprentice class was also inducted in March 2017.

Promotions are ongoing within officer ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. A new NCO promotions competition to fill vacancies to the ranks of sergeant and above has been launched. From this, promotions will commence in quarter 3 of 2017.

The purpose of the Defence Forces climate survey, published in 2016, was to inform consideration of the ongoing human resource and strategic needs of the Defence Forces. The survey findings point to challenges for the Defence Forces, particularly in the areas of leadership, communication, organisational culture, the working environment and active management of personnel expectations. However, many positives also emanated from the survey, especially in relation to the commitment of personnel to the values and mission of the organisation, high levels of work satisfaction, pride in the organisation and positive views on culture and work support. The responses to the issues raised in the climate survey resulted in the formulation of an action plan, which is being led by the Chief of Staff.

My Government colleagues and I recognise the important role the Reserve Defence Force has played in contributing to Ireland’s defence capability and we recognise the voluntary service which has been the hallmark of the Reserve. The Government appreciates the service of the members of the Reserve and the White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve. Recruitment to both the Permanent Defence Force and Reserve Defence Force remains a priority in 2017.

Despite the challenges facing the organisation, I believe we now have the structures in place to continue to deliver a more effective, energetic and sustainable organisation. With the support of the Chief of Staff, I am confident that we shall retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks assigned by Government, both at home and overseas.

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