Dáil debates
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Priority Questions
Defence Forces Strength.
4:00 pm
Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Defence the strength of the Army ranger wing as a percentage of its establishment; the measures that are being adopted to address the current shortfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27978/07]
Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The strength of the Army ranger wing, ARW, as a percentage of its establishment is in the region of 90%. The strength is sufficient to meet anticipated operational requirements. The ARW actively pursues a policy of recruitment to maintain strength levels and the delivery of required military capabilities. The unit recruits from all services with a continual advertising campaign by means of: road shows and seminars in brigades, corps, the Naval Service and Air Corps conducted by ARW personnel; and advertising in the Defence Forces Connect magazine and An Cosantóir journal.
Induction is by ARW selection courses run on an annual and biannual basis as required. Interest from Permanent Defence Force, PDF, personnel in joining the ARW remains at a very high level. All serving members of the PDF are entitled to apply, provided they are medically fit and have attained the rank of at least three-star private or equivalent. Successful passing of the selection course demands the highest levels of fitness, motivation and competency. There is a continual review of criteria for entry. However, it is critical that the high standards required for entry into the ARW are maintained in order to deliver the strategic capabilities and specialised response required by the Government.
Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister of State have the establishment figure for the ARW? I understand that five people left the wing this year and have not been replaced. Last year 100 people applied to join the Army ranger wing. Eventually approximately three were recruited. However, this year only 15 people applied and no course has taken place. Obviously if five people left this year and there is natural wastage it is clear that the Army ranger wing numbers will be depleted. Would the Minister of State agree that this is the elite wing of our Army? If we agree to go to Chad the ARW will be the forerunner of the main mission and will prepare the ground. They are highly trained and as good as any in the world. They can parachute and dive. They are medics and all-rounders. It is important that this wing of the Army is maintained at its present level and people should be encouraged to join. If the Minister of State can give me the figures, he might also be able to explain why there has been a fall-off in numbers and people are not applying to join the rangers.
Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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For security and operational reasons it has not been military practice to publish exact details of the establishment or actual strength of the ARW. There is merit in sticking to that position. It is critical that the high standards required for entry into the unit are maintained. However, the unit and operation staff review entry standards on an ongoing basis. Regarding the numbers, following the ARW deployment in Liberia there was a significant increase in the number of applicants as a result of the positive exposure to other PDF personnel. A constant interest is displayed by personnel on entry standards to the ARW. In the past two years the number of applicants presenting for the selection course has decreased and this may be attributed to increased opportunities available to soldiers serving overseas.
The Deputy is right to highlight that this is an elite group with very high standards. We are certainly interested in continuing to promote the need to maintain the standards and numbers of this elite corps.
Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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These people value their position and status. Just to have their service valued in the same way as the people going to Chad, the extra â¬150 that they earn above what they would earn in other sections of the Army may not be a sufficient incentive for people to join the rangers. Obviously they are more exposed to injury. If they get injured in their duties for the Army ranger wing, they are likely to be discharged from the Army, as they would not meet the medical requirements to rejoin mainstream Army activities. I ask the Minister to consider increasing the allowance for membership of the wing and to consider the issue of being discharged from the Army following a serious injury because of the stricter requirements in mainstream defence activities in the country now.
Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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It is not appropriate for me to comment on unresolved claims submitted under the conciliation and arbitration scheme. I believe a number of factors motivate members of the Defence Forces regarding the ARW, including the nature of the activities, training and roles of the ARW, as well as personal motivation. We want to see all these matters resolved by agreement with the association. Discussions under the scheme are confidential to the parties involved and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on that aspect.
I greatly value the role of this elite corps. I have had personal experience of seeing them in operation. They work to a very high standard and are very effective and professional in the work they do. Many different factors motivate people to join up. We are very conscious of the need to maintain those high standards and I will take on board the points made by the Deputy.