Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The military authorities advise that, as of 31 March 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,807. The current establishment of the Defence Forces is 9,500. Sanction has recently been received for 100 extra positions to facilitate the implementation of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. This is in addition to the pending appointments of a civilian head of strategic HR and a civilian head of transformation in the Defence Forces. 

I have previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces and work is ongoing to counter these. The problem is most acute in the enlisted ranks as officer ranks remain above establishment. The military authorities advise that current recruitment initiatives include ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment, the re-entry schemes, the "Be More" recruitment campaign and a Naval Service-specific recruitment campaign.  A contract has recently been awarded to a marine specialist recruitment body to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service. The Defence Forces have established a joint induction training centre in Gormanston with a view to increasing the throughput of recruits.

A range of financial and non-financial retention measures have been introduced by the Government such as service commitment schemes, tax measures and a recent agreement to further extend the service of post-1994 privates and corporals, allowing for their continuance in service to the end of 2024. There has also been significant progress on pay. Current pay rates including military service allowances for recruits on completion of their training start at €37,147 in year 1, rising to €38,544 in year 2 and €39,832 in year 3 of service.

Arising from the completion of an early action of the Commission on the Defence Forces report endorsing the commitment in the programme for Government, I have recently secured agreement on extending the provision of healthcare to all members of the Permanent Defence Force. All personnel can now avail of private secondary medical care, a facility only available to officers up to now. This is in addition to the comprehensive primary medical and dental care available to all personnel.  

My immediate focus is on stabilising the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces and thereafter increasing strength to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

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