Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of women in the Defence Forces as of today in view of the forthcoming anniversary of the implementation of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1979, which enabled women to join the Defence Forces; the percentage proportions of women in the Defence Forces in 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010; the equivalent proportions among equivalently sized armies in the European Union; if he is satisfied with the number of women in the Defence Forces; his plans to increase the proportion of women joining the Defence Forces; if he is further satisfied that all necessary changes have been made to ensure the Defence Forces provides a supportive environment for all Defence Forces members irrespective of gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9306/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of female personnel serving in the Permanent Defence Forces on 31 January 2010, the last date for which figures are available, was 565, of which 461 were serving in the Army, 32 in the Air Corps and 72 in the Naval Service. In terms of ranks the breakdown of female personnel serving on 31 January 2010 was 143 officers, 169 non-commissioned officers and 253 privates. The percentage of female personnel serving on 31 January was 5.7% of overall strength of the force on that date.

The percentage of female personnel serving on 31 December 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005 was as follows: 31 December 1985, 60 or 0.42%; 31 December 1990, 99 or 0.75%; 31 December 1995, 186 or 1.47%; 31 December 2000, 433 or 4.08%; 31 December 2005, 527 or 5.04%.

The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. All promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit.

My Department does not have access to statistics regarding the percentage of female members in other national armed forces.

The Defence Forces prides itself on providing a gender neutral working environment. Policies on equality are being constantly communicated to all ranks. The military authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing this matter in a continuing and proactive manner.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The statistics came out fast so I did not pick them all up. There are two points in this regard. When the height requirement was reduced there was an expectation of a greater entry by women into the Defence Forces. That has not happened. In comparison to other countries, in particular the United States, we do not seem to attract the same numbers of women into the Defence Forces. If the Minister of State has the information to hand, will he say what additional incentives are being provided in order to attract young females into the Defence Forces?

One of the principal requirements in this regard, for example, was for the Defence Forces to provide a crèche in the Curragh. The former Minister set up a committee to consider that, which reported and made a strong recommendation. There is a crèche in Leinster House for a smaller number of people whereas there are 2,000 people in the Curragh. Will the Minister of State tell us the status of that crèche at present? Is there a programme for visiting schools in order to promote the Defence Forces among schoolchildren?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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On the last point, I note that all four of us present come from a teaching background. In my experience, while I would not say there is marked reluctance on the part of career guidance staff to encourage girls to join the Defence Forces, I agree this makes it all the more important-----

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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That makes that case that they should promote and sell it in the schools.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I agree wholeheartedly and believe it is something we should strongly encourage.

With regard to the steps that have been taken to provide a supportive environment for Defence Forces members, the development and maintenance of a positive and supportive work environment is a key objective of the Defence Forces management. In recent years, a range of measures has been introduced, including the recommendations of the independent monitoring group as part of the modernisation agenda of the Defence Forces. Among the key steps taken are a charter committing all ranks to supporting a service environment that encourages and supports the right to dignity at work.

A major educational awareness programme is ongoing throughout the Defence Forces, backed up by a new administrative instruction on interpersonal relationships. Some 232 designated contact persons have been fully trained and are deployed throughout all Defence Forces posts and barracks, both countrywide and overseas. These designated contact persons facilitate the operation of the formal and informal procedures that may be used by any party wishing to institute a complaint, for example, an independent confidential freefone helpline and counselling service was set up for members of the Permanent Defence Force in March 2003.

Further review and implementation of the recommendations was conducted by the independent monitoring group and reported on in December 2008, with the group making in excess of 40 recommendations. The report confirms that the culture of the Defence forces organisation is evolving positively. It notes that organisational developments within the Defence Forces are a tribute to the vision and work of senior management and acknowledges the commitment and input of all personnel in affecting significant change.

As Deputy Deenihan rightly said, in 2006, the minimum height requirement for joining the Defence Forces was reduced from 5' 4" to 5' 2", which increased the potential recruitment pool of females from 60% to 90% of the female population. In 2007, the Department of Defence received a report from TNS-MRBI entitled "Retention and Recruitment of Women in the Defence Forces". This research was commissioned with a view to identifying areas where action could be taken to maximise the number of women applicants to the Defence Forces.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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If I understand the figures correctly, the number of women in the Defence Forces has gone from 0.42% in 1985 to 5.7% at present.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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It was 5.04%, or 527 persons, in 2005. The relevant figures for the years in question are 60, 99, 186, 433 and 527.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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What strikes me about the figures the Minister of State has provided as of 31 January 2010 is that there is a higher proportion of women at officer level than at either NCO or private level. Is it correct that there is a higher percentage at officer level? Is this a conscious policy that is being implemented by the Defence Forces? Have the Defence Forces targets they wish to reach? If so, is there a timescale for achieving them?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I will give the total figures. For female officers, there are 111 in the Army, five in the Air Corps and 23 in the Naval Service, giving a total of 139. For female non-commissioned officers, there are 145 in the Army, 15 in the Air Corps and nine in the Naval Service, giving a total of 169. For female privates and cadets, there are 194 privates and 12 cadets in the Army, 12 privates and one cadet in the Air Corps and 34 privates and six cadets in the Naval Service, giving a total of 240 privates and 19 cadets. There are two female officers in the rank of lieutenant-colonel, one of whom is currently serving in an acting capacity as colonel and filling the post as director of the Medical Corps.

All competitions for promotion within the Defence Forces are open to all qualified members, both male and female. The determining factor when deciding between candidates for promotion is their qualification for the post in question and gender is not a factor.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I will allow Deputy Deenihan to ask a brief supplementary question.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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It is an important matter.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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They are all important.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Some 25% of the Reserve Defence Force comprises women whereas only 5.7% of the Permanent Defence Force are women, which is a major difference. Will the Minister of State look to the RDF to provide incentives for women to transfer to the PDF?

With regard to future recruitment, how many women will be recruited or has a quota been set to improve the figures? Finally-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy has asked eight questions in total.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Some 8% of the complaints made by Defence Forces personnel to the Ombudsman were from women. Is this proportionate to the number of women who have left the organisation?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to the targets for females, the Defence Forces is an equal opportunities employer and all competitions for entry to the force are run on the basis of equality principles. When recruiting to the Defence Forces, recruitment is always undertaken to ensure the most suitable and qualified candidates come to the fore and gender does not play any role in how such posts are filled.

I take Deputy Deenihan's point that further efforts should be made, including promoting the Defence Forces through career guidance exhibitions, visits to schools and so on, which is important. I was involved in two commissioning ceremonies of the Reserve Defence Force. I noticed there was a much better balance between the sexes at those ceremonies than I had seen at other ceremonies.