Written answers
Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Department of Defence
Defence Forces Data
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of promotional positions waiting to be filled throughout the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13107/18]
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to maintaining a strength level of 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). This comprises 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence.
I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 31 January 2018, was 9,138 (Whole Time Equivalent).
The table outlines the promotional posts vacant within the PDF, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 January 2018, the latest date for which such figures are available.
The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. In this regard, promotions are ongoing within the Officer ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. The interview stage of the competition, to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above, has taken place over the last few months. Vacancies are currently being filled from this competition. It is my intention that targeted recruitment along with promotions will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.
PDF vacancies as at 31 January 2018
| Col | Lt Col | Comdt | Captain | SM | BQMS | CS | CQMS | Sgt | Cpl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | -1 | 7 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 17 | 207 | 99 |
| Air Corps | 1 | -1 | - 2 | 25 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 25 | 48 |
| Naval Service | 1 | 0 | -7 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 56 | 33 |
| Total | 1 | 6 | -7 | 79 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 17 | 288 | 180 |
* There are currently 77 Army Cadets, 38 Air Corps Cadets and 24 Naval Service Cadets in training.
** Some overseas appointments are currently not filled.
Note:
Equivalent Naval Service Ranks
Lieutenant Colonel/Commander
Commandant/Lieutenant Commander
Captain/Lieutenant (NS)
Sergeant Major/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
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