Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corps; the extent to which these numbers have altered in each of the past five years and to date in 2011 and for whatever purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25261/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 August 2011, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,513 comprising 7,722 Army, 786 Air Corps and 1,005 Naval Service Personnel.

In the five year period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010 the overall strength of the Permanent Defence Force reduced from 10,446 to 9,550. This represents an 8.6% decrease over the period. The latest monthly strength figures (31 August 2011) show a further decrease in strength of 37 personnel.

The Government is currently undertaking a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and my Department has submitted a report as part of that process. The outcome of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure will determine the future envelope available for Defence.

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.

A table outlining the end of year strengths of the Permanent Defence Force from 2005 to 2010 together with the latest end of month strength (31 August 2011) is set out below.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Defence the total number of promotions pending or position waiting to be filled at all levels in the Defence Forces; when it is expected that all such positions will be filled and appointments concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25262/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Official confirmation and details relating to the Employment Control Framework (ECF) were received on 18 October 2010 from the Department of Finance. The ECF is based on a figure of 10,000 all ranks Permanent Defence Force personnel, appropriately configured across the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps to enable them meet the roles assigned by Government.

The number of positions by rank in the Permanent Defence Force as of 31 August 2011 currently waiting to be filled, as compared with the Employment Control Framework for the Permanent Defence Force, are outlined in the attached tabular statement. Officials from the Department together with the Military Authorities are in the process of reviewing the structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Permanent Defence Force in accordance with the upper limits in ranks provided for in the ECF subject to a final decision on the estimates for Defence.

In this regard the Government is currently undertaking a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and this will inform the resource envelope available for Defence over the coming years and the priorities within Defence.

The expenditure review and the ongoing review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Defence Forces are factors which must be considered in any future decision relating to the filling of promotional vacancies.

Strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31st August, 2011 as compared with ECF figures