Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Clearly there is a need for significant improvement. The findings of the survey carried out by the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, show us this. The Minister has called out some of these issues. It is concerning that Defence Forces numbers are now at 8,500, which is an all-time low. As reported by Sean O'Riordan, the RACO survey found that almost two thirds of respondents said they left the Defence Forces for better pay in the private sector. Does this not suggest the need for improvement, and quickly, to recruit people in and keep them there?

More than half of those who responded experienced a better work-life balance as a result of leaving to work in the private sector. It also reported that opinions on career management and organisational leadership were generally negative. Again, this is an issue that needs to be addressed if we are to ensure the numbers in the Defence Forces are increased and retained.

From the article by Mr. O'Riordan, I understand the latest survey by RACO mirrors findings in a 2017 survey that highlighted poor pay, lack of expertise caused by an exodus of highly trained personnel, exhaustion as a result of double and treble-jobbing to fill the gaps, and inadequate barrack accommodation. These are serious issues and are causing a lot of problems. They cause the sector to be quite dysfunctional.

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