Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Defence if he will indicate the number of military posts vacant or otherwise awaiting to be filled at all ranks in the Army, Navy and Air Corps as at 1 January 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the extent to which all or part thereof have been filled to date or remain to be filled including promotions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49030/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The strength of the Permanent Defence Force all ranks for the years 2008 to 2012 is as follow; 2008 – 10,409, 2009 – 9,906, 2010 – 9,550 and 2011- 9,438. Figures are based on the strength at the end of December for each year as statistics are compiled for the end of each month rather than the beginning of the month. The total number of vacancies all ranks are therefore as follows: 2008 – 91; 2009 – 594; 2010 – 450; 2011 – 62. Table A outlines the strength, broken down into Army, Navy and Air Corps, and the total vacancies, by rank, based on the rank establishment of 9,500 versus the strength of 9,028. These figures relate to 30 September 2012 which is the latest date for which figures are available.

In relation to promotions I announced a major re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force on Tuesday, 17 July, 2012. The re-organisation will involve the relocation of Permanent Defence Force units and personnel and the disestablishment of certain units. At this stage detailed information is not available as to which personnel may move to new locations with their units or the number of personnel who will wish to remain in the locations affected by the re-organisation. These issues, including the effect of the changes on promotion posts to be filled and the location of such posts are currently being worked through as part of the implementation process which includes discussions with the Representative Associations. Therefore, it is not possible to definitely state at this time where and what promotions will be implemented over the remainder of this year.

Table B outlines the promotions within the Permanent Defence Force which have been carried out to 30 October 2012. Promotions will be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.

TABEL A - PDF Strength by rank as at 30 September 2012 versus PDF Rank Establishment of 9,500

TABLE B

The number of promotions which have occurred in the PDF in 2012 to 30 October are as follows: