Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Defence when he will be making an announcement regarding recruitment into the Defence Forces. [15850/10]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Defence when recruitment will commence for the Permanent Defence Force in view of the decline in numbers over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15929/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.

Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes.

I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 March 2010 was 9,877, comprising 8,051 Army, 800 Air Corps and 1,026 Naval Service personnel. As numbers in the Permanent Defence Force have dropped below 10,000, recruitment will be carried out in 2010. Detailed planning on the number of general service personnel to be recruited, and the timing of such recruitment in 2010, is currently ongoing within the Department and the Defence Forces in the context of the available resources and operational priorities.

With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, I intend to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies. I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and overseas.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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The Minister's answer is not much different from the last reply that was provided in this regard, which was on 11 March. It contains nothing specific. My concern is that the Defence Forces are now down to 9,877 which is 123 below the 10,000 level. Some 400 troops are returning from Chad and by the end of the year we may have only 70 troops serving abroad. Is there a danger, therefore, that there may be a temptation not to go ahead with recruitment? It is most important that young people are recruited into the Defence Forces as soon as possible. Quite apart from careers in the armed forces, there is also the issue of taking people off social welfare in some instances and, in other instances, releasing jobs that others can take up. Is there not a case for having a recruitment competition whereby panels could emerge from which people could be called throughout the year as positions become available? As things are progressing, it seems that at best it may be quite late in the year before recruitment takes place, but that is not good enough in this day and age.

The Minister referred to the Defence Forces being a credible organisation. I am concerned, however, that with more of our troops at home, there may be a temptation in the current economic climate not to recruit. In that case, the strength of the armed forces would not come back up to 10,000.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy O'Shea is right in that we all have to contend with the difficulties thrown up by the current economic situation. However, as I explained in the original answer, the Department and the military authorities are discussing exactly where the most serious need arises. There is a requirement within the Army itself and there are also specialist roles in the Naval Service and Air Corps. We have just been talking about the Naval Service's role in many important areas. All of that is being examined and I understand from the officials on both sides that progress is being made.

In the couple of weeks I have been in this job, I have only had an opportunity to visit three barracks. It was educational to talk to staff in the barracks and hear their concerns directly about the make up of numbers and their requirements. At this point, although not having quite read myself fully into the job, it is clear to me that we need to undertake recruitment. In the initial stages, it will be important to recruit for those areas which have specific requirements. I am well disposed to Deputy O'Shea's suggestion that panels be set up because people retire for a variety of reasons and further vacancies will be likely to arise. I am concerned to ensure that the strength in all cases in the various sectors will be sufficient to enable the Army to carry on its functions in a credible manner. I think we would all agree that is desirable.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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When does the Minister expect to announce that recruitment will take place for the Defence Forces? In the 2007 programme for Government a commitment was given that not alone would the numbers reach 10,500, but also that there would be 300 personnel in training at any one time. However, that commitment was subsequently renegued on by the Government. The McCarthy report suggested numbers should be reduced to 10,000 but numbers have fallen below that. It is important the numbers are restored to 10,000 as soon as possible. When will recruitment commence? A large number of officers and ordinary members of the Defence Forces appear to be leaving prematurely and taking early retirement. Has the Minister analysed the reason people are leaving early and could he put any incentives in place to encourage them to remain longer? Early retirement seems to be a problem currently.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I accept the point made by Deputy Deenihan with regard to the 2007 programme for Government. It is true that things have changed very dramatically in economic terms since then. The McCarthy report recommended a reduction in numbers from 10,500 to 10,000 and that has been agreed. In response to Deputy O'Shea, when we start recruiting, we should in the initial phase try to ensure people are recruited to areas where there is more urgent need. There is considerable urgency in some areas, but I have not completed consideration of reports from the Department and military officials with regard to those areas. This is an important starting point, but I cannot tell the Deputy exactly how long it will take to start. There will be no delay on my side and judging by indications from both the Department and the military authorities, they are very keen to proceed to ensure we have the necessary numbers in all areas.

The issue of early retirement is an interesting question. In the current economic climate, what is happening is the opposite to what I would have expected. One could understand that in an era when alternative employment opportunities were readily available, army people with their skill sets would be attractive to employers and would be attracted to that option, but there are far fewer such opportunities available now. We are examining the situation to see why people are continuing to leave. I also have considerable concern with regard to the age profile, which is something that had to be addressed some decades ago. This issue is a concern that is separate from the numbers issue and recruitment will be necessary to address it.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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It is encouraging that the Minister has indicated he sees merit in the idea of recruitment panels. Before the ban on recruitment was introduced, an individual in my constituency was about to be called, but then the ban was introduced and as a result he was not recruited. He went off then to either New Zealand or Australia. If panels were put in place as early as possible, people with particular skills suited to the Defence Forces might not emigrate. People should be let know they are on a panel and their position on it. If they knew it was likely they would be called, they would be less likely to emigrate. Speed is of the essence in that regard. If we wait to draw up the total requirement in detail, too much time will pass. Whereas not having people in positions at an early date may save the State money, there is a wider agenda to be served. We must get the process going as quickly as possible. It is important that young people are given hope in the current situation.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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There would not be an appreciable saving in the event of a delay of a month or so and that should not be a consideration. Recruitment should be targeted at areas where the most immediate need arises. While I am well disposed to the idea of panels, I realise one of their major downsides is the uncertainty of recruitment. In one year 50 people might be recruited from a panel, in another year 80 people might be recruited and then, perhaps in a downturn, only ten might be recruited. It is very difficult to judge a reasonable annual expectation of the number of people to be recruited from a panel. However, panels also have some merit and I will raise the issue with Department officials and the military authorities. In the recruitment campaign we should target the areas of most immediate need and try to address them. We have a shortfall of 123 or 127 personnel currently, which is a small number. I would be happier to target recruitment at areas with specific needs.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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How many vacancies will be advertised or has the Minister decided yet how many places will be offered? Obviously, more people will leave from various ranks before the end of the year. Concern about the gratuity also has an influence on people's decisions. They fear the gratuity may be taxed in the budget. It would be no harm if the Minister cleared up that issue. It is important to remember that people will leave this year and more will leave next year. Therefore, any recruitment that will take place should compensate for those people.

The Minister's predecessor had a campaign to attract more women into the Defence Forces. The number of female personnel in our Defence Forces is among the lowest in Europe. Would the Minister consider making a special effort to target more female applications and to make the Army a more attractive career for women? I have been campaigning for some time for a crèche in the Curragh. Will the Minister make this a priority as the need has existed for some time?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with Deputy Deenihan that a number of people will leave and that this must be taken into account in the context of the recruitment campaign. This would give additional flexibility in areas where there are particular needs. I am not in a position to give any advice with regard to the issue of the gratuity. It is one of the great imponderables with regard to the public sector generally that many people who might not consider retirement otherwise see the gratuity issue as a factor. It is impossible to predict how great a factor this is in the military area as much as in any other area.

I would like to be able to establish a means to recruit more women to the Defence Forces and, having recruited them, to retain them for a longer period. Both Department and military personnel have raised this issue with me. It is something we must try to address, particularly in view of the fact that it seems to be addressed more successfully in other countries than has been the case here.