Written answers

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Personnel Data

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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137. To ask the Minister for Defence the total number of women in each of the Defence Forces, at all ranks, in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47400/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The tables contain the strength of Women in the Permanent Defence Force, broken down into Army, Air Corps and Naval Service for each of the years 2008 to 2012 and to the 30th of September 2013, the latest date for which figures are available. The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. All promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit. The Defence Forces prides itself on providing a gender neutral working environment. Policies on equality are being constantly communicated to all ranks. The military authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing this matter in a continuing and proactive manner.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2008-2012 include personnel who were on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. The September 2013 strength figures have been calculated on the basis of actual numbers serving on that date, excluding those members who are on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. All future strength figures will be calculated on this basis.

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-08

-
LT
MAJ
BRIG
COL
LT
COMDT
CAPT
LT
TOTAL
SM
BQMS
CS
CQMS
SGTS
CPLS
TOTAL
PTES
CADETS
TOTAL
GEN
GEN
GEN
-
COL
-
-
-
OFFRS
-
-
-
-
-
-
NCOS
-
-
-
ARMY
-
-
-
-
1
21
48
41
111
-
-
3
1
32
108
144
200
13
468
AIR CORPS
-
-
-
-
-
2
2
4
-
-
1
-
3
10
14
13
1
32
NAVAL SERVICE
-
-
-
-
-
2
10
11
23
-
-
-
-
-
9
9
35
3
70
TOTAL
-
-
-
-
1
23
60
54
138
-
-
4
1
35
127
167
248
17
570
TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-09

-
LT
MAJ
BRIG
COL
LT
COMDT
CAPT
LT
TOTAL
SM
BQMS
CS
CQMS
SGTS
CPLS
TOTAL
PTES
CADETS
TOTAL
GEN
GEN
GEN
COL
OFFRS
NCOS
ARMY
2
19
43
47
111
3
1
32
109
145
194
12
462
AIR CORPS
4
1
5
1
4
10
15
12
1
33
NAVAL SERVICE
2
10
11
23
9
9
34
6
72
TOTAL
2
21
57
59
139
4
1
36
128
169
240
19
567

TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-10

-
LT
MAJ
BRIG
COL
LT
COMDT
CAPT
LT
TOTAL
SM
BQMS
CS
CQMS
SGTS
CPLS
TOTAL
PTES
CADETS
TOTAL
-
GEN
GEN
GEN
-
COL
-
-
-
OFFRS
-
-
-
-
-
-
NCOS
-
-
-
ARMY
-
-
-
-
1
18
41
51
111
-
-
2
1
33
109
145
200
11
467
AIR CORPS
-
-
-
-
-
4
2
6
-
-
1
-
4
9
14
12
32
NAVAL SERVICE
-
-
-
-
-
2
10
14
26
-
-
-
-
-
8
8
34
2
70
TOTAL
-
-
-
-
1
20
55
67
143
-
-
3
1
37
126
167
346
13
569
TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-11

-
LT
MAJ
BRIG
COL
LT
COMDT
CAPT
LT
TOTAL
SM
BQMS
CS
CQMS
SGTS
CPLS
TOTAL
PTES
CADETS
TOTAL
-
GEN
GEN
GEN
-
COL
-
-
-
OFFRS
-
-
-
-
-
-
NCOS
-
-
-
ARMY
-
-
-
-
2
19
46
45
112
-
-
2
1
35
119
157
194
4
467
AIR CORPS
-
-
-
-
-
2
3
5
-
-
1
-
4
13
18
7
1
30
NAVAL SERVICE
-
-
-
-
-
3
13
12
28
-
-
-
-
-
11
11
28
1
68
TOTAL
-
-
-
-
2
22
61
60
145
-
-
3
1
39
143
186
229
5
565
TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

31-Dec-12

-
LT
MAJ
BRIG
COL
LT
COMDT
CAPT
LT
TOTAL
SM
BQMS
CS
CQMS
SGTS
CPLS
TOTAL
PTES
CADETS
TOTAL
-
GEN
GEN
GEN
-
COL
-
-
-
OFFRS
-
-
-
-
-
-
NCOS
-
-
-
ARMY
-
-
-
-
2
26
43
43
114
-
-
2
-
33
120
155
209
4
482
AIR CORPS
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
2
4
1
-
-
-
4
13
18
8
30
NAVAL SERVICE
-
-
-
-
-
6
12
10
28
-
-
-
-
2
10
12
28
2
70
TOTAL
-
-
-
-
2
32
57
55
146
1
2
39
143
185
245
6
582
TABULAR STATEMENT

STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE

30-Sep-13

-
LT
MAJ
BRIG
COL
LT
COMDT
CAPT
LT
TOTAL
SM
BQMS
CS
CQMS
SGTS
CPLS
TOTAL
PTES
CADETS
TOTAL
-
GEN
GEN
GEN
-
COL
-
-
-
OFFRS
-
-
-
-
-
-
NCOS
-
-
-
ARMY
-
-
-
-
2
26
41
43
112
-
-
1
1
42
116
160
189
4
465
AIR CORPS
-
-
-
-
-
2
2
4
1
-
-
-
6
10
17
7
28
NAVAL SERVICE
-
-
-
-
-
6
12
10
28
-
-
-
-
2
10
12
26
1
67
TOTAL
-
-
-
-
2
32
55
55
144
1
-
1
1
50
136
189
222
5
560

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