Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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611. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 1476 of 2 May 2017, if he will reconcile this with his answer to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1474 and 1475 of 2 May 2017 which used whole-time equivalent, as recorded by the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22672/17]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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612. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the definition of whole-time equivalent as used by the Defence Forces; the hours per week that constitute a whole-time equivalent as used by the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22673/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions 611 and 612 together.

Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) strength figures refer to the Total Strength minus personnel on Leave of Absence or Secondment. The Defence Forces do not offer a Job Sharing scheme whereby two individuals cover one appointment on a part-time basis.

With regard to reconciling the previous Parliamentary Questions referred to by the Deputy, Question Numbers 1474 and 1475 of 2 May 2017 provide both the Total Strength and Whole Time Equivalent strength. However, Question Number 1476 asked for the number of hours required for one full time equivalent position in the Defence forces and, as indicated in the response, it is not possible to provide a definitive response to this, based on the varied nature of duties.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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613. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the average hours worked per week per person in ranks (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22674/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces are a 24/7 organisation and personnel can be called upon at any time to undertake duties in relation to the tasks assigned by Government. The nature of the training and the roles discharged by members of the Defence Forces can range from general office duties, to education and instruction to security duties that can be for periods of 24 hours each. In addition, when on overseas service, on duty and on call periods are extensive and change on a daily basis. Therefore, hours worked each week will differ for members of the Defence Forces irrespective of their rank, depending on their daily and operational tasks. As a result, it is not possible to provide a definitive response concerning the average hours worked per week per person for the ranks specified.