Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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14. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces have a target for gender balance among members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52906/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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. Significant progress has been made by the Military Authorities in addressing gaps between male and female participation in the Defence Forces, with an increase of 23% of female participation in the PDF since 2002. However, it is recognised that more work needs to be done to meet the gender target for recruitment of females of 20% which was set by the Military Authorities in 2007.

As of 31 October 2013, there are currently 558 women out of a total strength of 9,222 serving in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). This represents 6% of the overall strength of the Defence Forces and a 23 % increase of female representation in the PDF since 2002. A key impediment in achieving the target gender balance is the lack of female applicants relative to males. A number of specific initiatives have been implemented to increase female participation in the Defence Forces including:

- the introduction of best practices in recruitment, such as the adjustment of physical standards for female applicants,

- special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment,

- there is balanced composition between men and women on recruitment and selection boards.

- all promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit,

- a Gender Advisor has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces.

While Defence Forces policies have been developed to support greater female participation, a key issue in recruiting and retaining female personnel lies in societal perception and attitudes to female soldiers and officers, how such careers are presented through the education and career guidance systems in our schools and colleges, and how society views the role of women in a fully inclusive and equal workplace where all soldiers and officers, irrespective of gender, are required to be available for duties on a 24/7 basis and are required to serve overseas. To a large extent, the solution to these societal issues lies outside the Defence Forces. That said, I believe that there is a need to continue to develop and promote strategies to increase female participation in the Defence Forces. To this end, I have requested the Chief of Staff to establish a Working Group to examine levels of participation of women in the organisation at all levels. The data gathered as part of this review will inform current recruitment policies aimed at increasing participation by women in the Defence Forces.