Results 41-60 of 162 for defence forces strength speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The First Line Reserve (FLR) is intended to provide a pool of trained personnel who are available at short notice to supplement Permanent Defence Force (PDF) units in times of emergency. There is currently no set establishment for the FLR. The existing regulatory framework provides for former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) to join the Army Reserve or Naval Service Reserve. This...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: As at 31 December 2023, the number of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 559. The table below sets out the number of women in each branch, and the number of discharges from the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 December 2023. - Army Air Corps Naval...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: As of 31 December 2023, the effective female strength is 178, of which 171 are in the Army Reserve and 7 are in the Naval Service Reserve. The military authorities have advised that for each of the years 2020 to 2023, the number of female discharges from the Reserve Defence Force is as follows: RDF Discharges (Female) 2020 2021 2022 2023 ...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (1 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Chair and members. I welcome this opportunity to engage with the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to consider the 2024 Revised Estimates for the defence Vote group. I have a short opening statement that sets out the overall position and updates members on some recent developments in the defence sector. Last September, the Strategic Framework - Transformation of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (1 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...that, but when we make comparisons, we have to be aware that other countries may have different systems. In any event, I take his point. I am very keen that we would significantly increase the strength of the RDF. It is currently at 1,407. The Army Reserve was at 1,323 at the end of last year, while the Naval Service Reserve was at 84. The strength of the First Line Reserve was 282....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (1 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...that. I will look at the lateral transfer programme. I am sure there are no objections to people transferring, but I will see whether there is an active policy to encourage people to join our forces. I will discuss that with the military leadership. Deputy Brendan Smith has been in touch regarding Cavan Barracks. We will look at that issue but the building could have been out of use...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (31 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that, as at 31 December 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,550 personnel. I have previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces and, to counter these, there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives currently underway. These include ongoing general service and direct entry...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: As at 31 December 2023, the strength of the PDF was 7,550 personnel. Of that strength, 364 personnel were in full time induction training of varying duration, comprised of 86 recruits, 116 Private 2 star, 103 Cadets, 12 Air Corp Trainee Military Aircraft Systems Technician and 47 Air Corp Apprentice Technicians. The establishment for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was recently...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...take Questions Nos. 52 and 65 together. I thank the Deputy for raising the question. As I outlined earlier to Deputies, the military authorities have advised that as of 31 December 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,550 personnel. A total of 750 personnel were discharged in 2023 and 415 personnel were inducted. The Commission on the Defence Forces stated in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that as of 31 December 2023, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,550 personnel. A total of 750 personnel discharged in 2023 and 415 personnel were inducted. A table containing the requested breakdown by branch of these figures will be provided to the Deputy. Every effort is being made to increase the strength of our Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government is committed to a range of actions to address key issues identified in recent reviews of the Defence Forces. The Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which I published last September, brings together into one overarching document, the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) contained a number of recommendations on the Reserve Defence Force. Two recommendations from the report, denoted as ‘Early Actions’, related to the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) and the development of a Regeneration Plan for the Reserve. The ORA has been established and is currently staffed by 7...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: Government has progressed a number of key measures arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which improve pay and conditions. It is also worth noting in this regard that the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: ...to be organised both in and out of normal working hours, at weekends and during academic and traditional holiday periods. The primary function of training and education in both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is to develop and maintain capabilities necessary to enable personnel to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The scheduling of training in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (23 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: The 2024 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) provides an allocation of €1.25 billion in Defence Group funding, an increase of €40 million over 2023. The Defence Vote Group includes the Defence and Army Pensions Votes. The allocations for 2024 are €933 million for the Defence Vote and €317 million for the Army Pensions Vote. This significant level of funding will further...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Jan 2024)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. The First Line Reserve (FLR) is intended to provide a pool of trained personnel who are available at short notice to supplement Permanent Defence Force (PDF) units in times of emergency. There is currently no set establishment for the FLR. The existing regulatory framework provides for former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF)...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: ...the estimated number of personnel who will be required to retire on age grounds from next year up to 2028, if they serve their full contract term. It should be noted that many personnel leave the Defence Forces before reaching mandatory retirement age. The table outlining projected mandatory retirement figures, which should be read bearing in mind this caveat, will be provided to the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy asked for the figure and I have given it in my reply. We are, of course, conscious of a recruitment and retention issue within the Defence Forces. I identified a long list of measures we have taken to improve allowances and improve the situation overall for members of our Defence Forces in order to attract new members and encourage retention. There are issues around recruitment...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The total allocation provided for the Defence Vote Group for 2024 is €1.231 billion, comprising of €921 million for Vote 36 - Defence and €310 million for Vote 35 - Army Pensions. This is an overall increase of €21 million on 2023. For 2024, the key priority is to progress the transformation of the Defence Forces, with a programme of work as outlined in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: With its approval of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, the Government committed to a range of actions to address pay and recruitment issues in the Defence Forces. These include a number of projects undertaken to bolster the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces, and cover a range of measures which will improve pay and conditions. It is also worth noting in this...