Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The evidence that there is a serious problem in the Defence Forces is the number of soldiers at all levels who are choosing to leave the service. The decline over recent years left the force with just 8,847 personnel at the end of March, which is some 653 members below the current agreed strength. I would like to specifically focus on the pay and conditions of our soldiers. Pay and conditions are now so poor that young people are quitting as quickly as they can after training. To quote one member, "DF [the Defence Forces] has been turned into a JobBridge". Living quarters for young recruits are shocking and the buildings used are not fit for purpose. In fact, recruits say they are expected to live in Third World conditions. Instead of going to the medical service provided, soldiers are going to credit unions for loans for private mental health treatment because they would suffer if the Defence Forces knew they had problems.

It is truly shocking to hear the stories shared in testimony from a focus group included in a report within the Defence Forces called "Workplace Climate in the Defence Forces". The authors of the report have recommended better pay and have advised senior officers to face up to the problems exposed by the research. A number of privates spoke of struggling to survive, often depending on their parents. One quote included in the report was:

I can’t get a mortgage. Some members are even on Family Income Supplement. We would be better off on the dole as we would have no bills

Another soldier said:

People are sleeping in cars. Two people in Athlone couldn’t afford to pay to stay in the barracks or commute home so they stayed in their cars at the weekends

Another said: "I have to live with my parents along with my wife and kids".

There is clear evidence that there is a need for serious change and this change must be initiated by the Government. The overall health of our Defence Forces, which is a major arm of our State security, reflects poorly on us as a State. Our Defence Forces have had an excellent reputation worldwide for generations. It is unacceptable for the Government to allow morale to reach such a low ebb . Action is required to restore our Defence Forces to where they should be.

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