Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of promotions approved or pending at all ranks in the Defence Forces over the past two years; the numbers nominated but not yet approved; when approval is likely to be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23765/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The number of promotions approved or pending at all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force for the period 1 June 2008 – 1 June 2010 is provided in the tabular statements overleaf.

Resulting from the Government Decision regarding the reduction of public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, recruitment, promotions and acting up appointments in the Permanent Defence Force were suspended in 2009. However, in order to maintain the ongoing operational capability of the Defence Forces, a limited number of exceptions to the application of the measures to the Permanent Defence Force were sought from the Department of Finance.

As was announced on 24 November 2009, the Minister for Finance approved an allocation of 50 promotions, for the Permanent Defence Force. These promotions were approved to address priority operational and command requirements. Military management subsequently reviewed existing vacancies in all ranks across the organisation as a whole, so as to prioritise those to be filled from the approved promotions.

Following on from this review, a total of 13 officer promotions and 30 enlisted promotions have been completed to date. A further 4 enlisted promotions will be completed as soon as the administrative procedures relating to them have been completed. The residual 3 approved promotions will be used to fill priority posts arising in the next few months.

In addition to the 50 promotions, sanction was also received during 2009 for the filling of the following posts on promotion; Director of Military Prosecutions, Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), 2 posts at Brigadier General level and 10 NCO promotions that were in progress prior to the moratorium. Furthermore, the Department has recently received approval from the Department of Finance for the filling of the Military Judge post. The number of promotions approved or pending at all ranks in the Reserve Defence Force for the same period is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Number of promotions approved in the PDF 1 June 2008 – 1 June 2010

Number of promotions pending in the PDF at 1 June 2010