Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

816. To ask the Minister for Defence the current compliment of staff at Custume Barracks, Athlone; the timeframe for the new recruitment process in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13325/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the current strength of personnel in Custume Barracks, Athlone is 872. With regard to recruitment, I announced the launch of a new recruitment campaign for Enlisted Personnel in both the Permanent and the Reserve Defence Force on Friday 7th March 2014. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel and this current campaign will enable us to do that. The Defence Forces plan to induct up to 400 personnel to the Permanent Defence Force (both Army and Navy) and up to 500 personnel to the Reserve Defence Force (both Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve) in 2014. This will be the first intake of recruits to the Reserve following on from the reorganisation of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Force in line with the ‘Single Force Concept’ whereby Reserve Units are embedded into Permanent Defence Force Formations.

Applicants for recruitment to both the Permanent and Reserve Defence Force will be required to complete broadly similar assessments including physical fitness and interview assessment. The recruitment competition for both the Permanent and Reserve Defence Force is being run through a centralised online application system on the Defence Forces website .

It is intended that the new recruits will join the Defence Forces in August or September 2014.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

817. To ask the Minister for Defence the total number of Irish Defence Forces personnel currently posted overseas on various missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13367/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

819. To ask the Minister for Defence the total number of personnel current posted from the Army, Navy and Air Corps at various trouble spots overseas under the aegis of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13369/14]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

834. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the current peacekeeping missions in which the State has a role; if he expects to see further requests from the UN for Irish involvement in any other peace keeping operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12881/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 817, 819 and 834 together.

As of 01 March 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 404 Defence Forces personnel to 14 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas, and the total number of personnel currently posted from the Army, Navy and Air Corp to various overseas operations under the aegis of the EU, are listed in the tabular statements attached.

The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 204 personnel, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 112 Defence Forces personnel.

Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia with six (6) personnel, the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with eight (8) personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven (7) personnel; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with twelve (12) personnel; and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with seven (7) personnel. Four (4) personnel were deployed in August 2013 for service with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan. Ireland also contributes 26 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions, 3 personnel to the Nordic Battle group headquarters in Sweden and 15 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.

Defence Forces participation in all overseas missions is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The overall drawdown of ISAF personnel is currently underway and the withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel will be coordinated in this context. While it is anticipated that Irish personnel will complete their service with the mission in September 2014, this will be kept under review in the context of the proposed NATO led follow on training advisory and assistance mission.

As regards future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy and the degree of risk involved are amongst the factors considered.

Apart from the recent deployment of personnel to the UNDOF mission, no new deployments are envisaged at this time.

The current contribution of some 404 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.

AS OF 01 MARCH 2014

Irish Defence Forces personnel deployed to missions under the aegis of the EU (21 March 2014)