Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Defence the percentage of women at all levels in the Defence Forces; the way this percentage compares with other European Union defence forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38099/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of women at all ranks in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38399/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 8 and 223 together.

The number of female personnel serving in the Permanent Defence Force on 30 September 2010, the last date for which figures are available, was 557, of which 456 were serving in the Army, 32 in the Air Corps and 69 in the Naval Service. In terms of rank, the breakdown of female personnel serving on 30 September 2010 was 143 officers, 167 non-commissioned officers and 247 privates. The percentage of female personnel serving on 30 September was 5.79% of the overall strength of the force on that date.

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 has 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. The Department does not have access to statistics on 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.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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It seems there is a very slight reduction in the number of women serving compared to the information given out by Deputy Killeen's colleague two years ago. There is a higher percentage of women serving at the rank of captain and lieutenant. The total figure for officers was 9.2% at that time. The Minister's predecessor addressed the issue of women in 2006 by reducing the height requirement from 5 ft. 4 in. to 5 ft. 2 in., increasing the potential recruitment pool of women from 60% to 90% of the female population. Has the reduction in the minimum height requirement brought about an improvement in the number of female applicants? Two years ago, the percentage of women serving at NCO level was 4.09%. This seems to be quite low. What are the Minister's comments on these observations?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy O'Shea is correct. The percentage of women eligible increased from 60% to 90% of the population through the decision of the then Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, in 2006. In 2007, the TNS MRBI study was commissioned to examine the retention and recruitment of women to the Defence Forces. I have asked for information on the applications to the current recruitment drive. The final figures are not available but for one of the divisions the percentage of female applicants may be lower than 2%. I will revert to the Deputies when I receive the final figures on this. If that turns out to be the final figure, it seems an extraordinary change. Heretofore, the number recruited slightly exceeded the percentage of applicants at the initial phase. It is too early to know if this will be the case but I am concerned about what I am hearing because we would be moving in the opposite direction. This would be undesirable and we may have to take action in respect of recruitment policy. We have discussed the subject of retention in a previous Question Time and concerns exist, although it is not as dramatic as the matter I have just mentioned.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Did the TNS MRBI survey from March 2007 make a number of recommendations and can the Minister tell us what has been done to implement those recommendations? Can he point to recommendations implemented? There was a recommendation that women need role models in the Permanent Defence Force. Has anything been done in that regard? What has been done to promote a dual gender image for the Permanent Defence Force rather than the current masculine image? Does the Minister have plans in this regard?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I understand some progress has been made on virtually all of the recommendations arising from the TNS MRBI survey. Some of the recommendations are under way in respect of family friendly policies in the Defence Forces. It will be difficult to judge in the short term but one expects, over a period of five to ten years, to see a marked improvement in retention figures. However, if that was undermined at the recruitment end by a lower cohort of applicants, one would have a particular challenge that requires a different approach.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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A high level of satisfaction expressed by serving female members in the TNS MRBI study. On the subject of job security, pay, benefits and the variety of work on offer the rate of satisfaction was 70% or 80%. Is it timely to gauge the level of satisfaction again? This may have some bearing on the drop-off the Minister referred to in respect of female applicants. If these figures turn out to be true, something is seriously amiss and this must be identified and addressed.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The bulk of the recommendations arising from the 2007 report related to internal matters and much work has been done in that regard. The external issue of presenting a particular image is somewhat more challenging and the problem appears to be borne out if the application figures are as low as is indicated. This may be a function of a larger cohort of males being available and interested than was the case previously. The total number of female applicants may be static but may represent a smaller percentage of the total application cohort. We must examine this in great detail. My initial reaction to updating the survey findings is that the 2007 is fairly recent. I do not have a closed mind in that regard.