Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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116. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions outstanding, or waiting to be filled, in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35133/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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117. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions outstanding, or waiting to be filled, in the Navy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35134/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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118. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions outstanding, or waiting to be filled, in the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35135/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 118, inclusive, together.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 August 2015, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,082, comprising 7,337 Army, 726 Air Corps and 1,019 Naval Service personnel.

The following table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 August 2015, based on the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.

Promotions are ongoing within the Officer and Non-Commissioned ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. New NCO promotion competitions to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above were held in late 2014 and promotions are currently under way.

In addition, targeted recruitment will continue in 2015 so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel. It is my intention that promotions, along with targeted recruitment, will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.

PDF Strength by Rank as at 31 August 2015versus PDF Rank Establishment of 9,500

* For administrative record purposes, the two Major General Appointments in the Permanent Defence Force are held against the establishment for the Army. One of these appointments as at 31 August 2015 was filled by a Naval Service Officer.

** Within the Establishment figures there is provision for 10 Colonel Appointments overseas. However, with no requirement to fill 2 of the Colonel overseas appointments, no vacancy exists in the rank of Colonel in the Army.

*** Includes 19 Army Cadets, 18 Air Corps Cadets and 9 Naval Service Cadets. There are an additional 83 personnel on career breaks/secondment, who are not included in the strengths in the above table.

Note: Equivalent Naval Service Ranks Brigadier General, Commodore Colonel,Captain Lieutenant Colonel, Commander Commandant, Lieutenant Commander Captain,Lieutenant (NS) Lieutenant, Sub Lieutenant Sergeant 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.