Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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381. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the direct entry or recruitment for specialist positions in the Defence Forces in the past 20 years; the reason for such policy rather than internal promotion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18564/17]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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382. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he or officials from his Department had discussions with the military authorities regarding vacancies in specialist positions in the Army and Air Corps, in particular those impacting on the effective running of services; and if direct entry recruitment for those positions has been considered. [18565/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.

The intake of Cadets into the Permanent Defence Force is normally carried out on an annual basis, taking into consideration the operational requirements of the Defence Forces and the resource envelope allocated to Defence. The 2017 Cadetship competitions were launched on 22 March 2017. Direct Entry Competitions are also held as required from which specialist appointments are filled. The purpose of Direct Entry Competitions is to recruit people with specialist qualifications or skills in order to fill vacant appointments in the Defence Forces.

A recruitment campaign for the appointment of Direct Entry Naval Service Officers, in the Operations Branch, Marine Engineer Branch and Electrical Engineer Branch of the Naval Service, is currently on-going. This campaign does not preclude existing Defence Forces personnel from applying for such competitions. Nor is there a prohibition on existing personnel being assigned to specialist functions where their qualifications permit such internal redeployment. In relation to promotional vacancies, promotions are ongoing within the Officer ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. A new NCO promotion competition, to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above, has been launched.

Promotions from the Order of Merit Lists from this competition will commence in Q3 2017. Promotions at Corporal rank take place at formation/service level when vacancies arise within Units and where there are qualified personnel in these Units to fill the appointments.

In relation to specialised functions within the Air Corps, I am advised that Department officials have recently met with the military authorities to explore options available in relation to the filling of same, these discussions are ongoing. The Deputy may wish to note that any such proposals will fall to be discussed under the Defence Conciliation & Arbitration scheme.

It is my intention that targeted recruitment, along with promotions, will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.