Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

5. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 12 July 2018, if the figures provided include those on leave prior to being discharged and those that have been granted transfers to the Army. [35832/18]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

10. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of enlisted Naval Service members with discharges pending as of 1 August 2018. [35885/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 10 together.

I have been advised by the military authorities that the figures provided in Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 12^thJuly 2018, do not include the following:

- those on leave prior to discharge,

- transfers to the Army,

- transfers to the First Line Reserve.

The military authorities have advised that, as at 01 August 2018 there were 37 discharges pending for enlisted Naval Service personnel and, of these, 15 discharges were awaiting final approval and for date of discharge to be set.

With the support of the Chief of Staff I am committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces can continue to operate effectively across all roles assigned by Government, both at home and overseas. I am satisfied that membership of the Defence Forces remains an attractive career prospect for men and women who wish to serve their country.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

6. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if it is Defence Forces policy that all those that leave the Naval Service engage in an exit interview; if records of these interviews are collected; if so, if those records are ever reviewed to detect patterns that may be driving persons to leave; and if an audit of records of exit interviews has ever been conducted in order to ensure that proper records are being kept. [35833/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Military life places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals and, given the rigours of military life, there is understandably a relatively high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. This is not new and the Permanent Defence Force has always had a level of turnover that exceeds other areas of the public service. This is a feature of military organisations internationally.

Exit questionnaires are given to personnel by the Defence Forces as part of the administrative processing of their departure. Completion of such questionnaires, which are anonymous and confidential, is voluntary but personnel are encouraged to do so. Additionally, voluntary exit interviews are conducted on certain personnel.

The military authorities have advised that records of surveys and interviews are regularly reviewed in order to assist with the identification of trends and explanations for personnel leaving the organisation and that an audit of the records has been conducted. While this information is analysed by the Defence Forces, any conclusions must take into account the voluntary nature of this information and gaps that may exist in providing a comprehensive account of the reasons for departure.