Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the outstanding vacancies in the Defence Forces on 31 December 2012 and his plans to fill these. [6121/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The attached table, which I propose to circulate, outlines the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 December 2012 the latest date for which figures are available, and the total vacancies, by rank, based on the rank establishment of 9,500. Competitions to establish panels to fill outstanding vacancies were held last year. Promotions from the panels are currently ongoing within the Permanent Defence Force in order to fill rank vacancies. It is my intention that promotions along with targeted recruitment will be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.

PDF Strength by rank as at 31 December 2012 versus PDF Rank Establishment of 9,500

* Within the establishment figures there is provision for 10 Colonel positions overseas, however 8 of these are currently filled with no requirement to fill remaining 2 at present.

Note:

Equivalent Naval Service Ranks

Brigadier General/Commodore

Colonel/Captain

Lieutenant Colonel/Commander

Commandant/Lieutenant Commander

Captain/Lieutenant(NS)

Lieutenant/Sub LieutenantSergeant Mayor/Warrant Officer

Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Chief Petty Officer

Company Quartermaster Sergeant/Senior Petty Officer

Company Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer

Sergeant/Petty Officer

Corporal/Leading Seaman

Private/Able Seaman