Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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54. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way he plans to address the issues of manning levels and retention of experience in the Defence Forces as identified by the University of Limerick in its focus group report 2017; his views on claims from military sources that the reduction in training periods was diluting the professionalism of the Defence Forces; and if the current strength of the Defence Forces is just over 8,900, which is 600 below the strength required to carry out its basic duties despite the recent recruitment drive. [44034/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces Climate Survey was commissioned on foot of a recommendation contained in the third and most recent Report of the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG) which was established to oversee the implementation of recommendations relating to harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment within the Defence Forces.

The focus group report referred to by the Deputy is a follow up to the first phase of the Climate Study. It further explores the issues raised in the original survey. The comments quoted therein cover a wide range of issues relating to human resources management including, amongst others, pay and conditions (particularly pay for the lowest paid members of the Defence Forces), vacancies, recruitment and retention, promotion systems, performance management, leadership, culture, morale, stress and work-life balance.I was briefed on the Report at the end of June and I met with the Representative Associations on 13 July 2017, ahead of its official publication a week later.

I subsequently tasked civil and military management with examining the report and identifying those issues which are priorities. While work to progress many of the issues was already underway as part of the implementation of the White Paper on Defence, I have directed that certain White Paper projects be brought forward and that work commence on these immediately.

I have directed civil and military management to initiate a broader view of contracts for enlisted personnel and to bring forward recommendations for my consideration. I have also requested proposals in respect of retaining specialists, providing for re-entry and where appropriate, direct entry, for my consideration and I expect to be in receipt of these shortly.

The Government is committed to maintaining the establishment of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel,as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. Targeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place across the range of recruitment streams namely, general service, cadets, apprentices and direct entry officers. The commencement of over 300 NCO promotions will be significant in terms of filling vacancies within the establishment, while providing career development opportunities for personnel.

The changes to the Recruit Training Syllabus referred to by the Deputy were made by the Military Authorities following a routine review, which identified elements of training being deemed more appropriate to a later stage within the development cycle of the enlisted soldier than heretofore had been the case. Such reviews are intended to ensure that training syllabi remain efficient and effective.

I am satisfied that Defence Forces training continues to equip members of the Defence Forces to fully discharge the roles assigned by Government.