Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 55, 62, 64 and 65 together.

The current whole-time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force for the end of September is estimated at just over 9,000 personnel. The Government remains committed to returning to and maintaining the agreed strength of the PDF at 9,500 personnel, as set out in the White Paper on Defence 2015. In order to achieve this target, there are significant recruitment opportunities available in the PDF at both enlisted and officer level for eligible individuals who wish to have a rewarding and positive career in the service of the State. The PDF continues to offer excellent career opportunities for serving personnel and new entrants. General service recruitment campaigns, an officer cadetship competition, a competition for Air Corps apprentices, a competition for the Defence Forces School of Music instrumentalists and the 2018 Reserve Defence Force, RDF, recruitment campaigns all took place this year, and the applications are being progressed.

In addition, the Defence Forces medical corps is accepting applications from suitably qualified medical doctors, and the Naval Service has a number of opportunities for bridge watch-keeping officers, marine engineering officers and electrical engineer officers. Arising from the general service recruitment campaigns held earlier this year, new recruits will be inducted between September and the end of November. The 95th class of 85 recruits was inducted on 24 September. A second general service recruitment campaign was launched on 10 September 2018 and will close on 7 October 2018. I expect the Chief of Staff to propose similar plans for 2019. Final figures for numbers enlisted in 2018 will not be available until after the year's end. As of 25 September 2018, some 414 personnel have been inducted in 2018 and inductions will continue for the rest of the year. The bulk of inductions are weighted towards the second half of the year. Recruitment progress will be reviewed at year end and this will inform the approach in 2019.

The level of training and experience gained by members of the Defence Forces makes them attractive to private sector employers. The Defence Forces are not unique in this regard, and this is experienced by other parts of the public service and other military organisations internationally.

Additional information not given in the House

In 2016, the Government established an independent Public Service Pay Commission to provide objective analysis and advice on the most appropriate pay levels for the public service, including the Defence Forces. This informed the most recent pay agreement. Under my direction, the Department raised recruitment and retention issues as part of the submission to the commission. The Government has tasked the commission with examining these challenges in the defence sector in more detail. This work has commenced and the Department has submitted detailed material. The commission has commenced surveying members of the Defence Forces and is facilitated in this work by military management. With the support of the Chief of Staff, the Government is committed to retaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and abroad.

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