Written answers

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Strength

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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17. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the target date to reach the allowed establishment figure of 9,500 Defence Forces personnel as outlined in A Programme for A Partnership Government. [1804/19]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces will achieve their establishment strength of 9,500 during 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1859/19]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 19 together.

The Government remains committed to achieving the strength target of at least 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). There are a number of factors, some of which are hard to predict, which will impact on the timeframe within which this will be achieved. As at 31 December 2018, the most current figures provided by the military authorities, the whole time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force was just below 9,000 personnel, 8,957 to be exact.

Recently, I met with senior civil and military officials to review recruitment plans for 2019. A range of options to enhance recruitment were considered. The target for inductions in 2019 is approximately 800 personnel. As outlined, the precise net gain in strength will be dependent on a variety of factors. This includes the number of trained personnel that depart, the achievement of recruitment targets and the number of trainees that successfully complete training. This can vary year on year.

I have acknowledged that challenges do exist in recruiting and retaining some specialists such as Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, and certain Technicians. These specialist can prove difficult to retain where, as in the current economic environment and jobs market, there are demands for such specialists in other sectors. I understand that this is a challenge being faced by military forces elsewhere and is not confined to Ireland.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Service Pay Commission has been tasked with examining recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Sector. This work is underway and when the Public Commissions reports, its findings will be considered at that point.

In addition to traditional recruitment methods, a range of alternative recruitment approaches are being developed, aimed at addressing such vacancies in specialist areas. A scheme has been introduced which permits former Officers with specialist skills to re-enter the Permanent Defence Force and arrangements are in train to provide a similar scheme for former enlisted personnel.

Currently there is direct entry provision for those with professional qualifications which is utilised for the recruitment of Medical Officers and Engineers. A working group is examining the scope for greater use of such direct entry recruitment for certain specialist positions.

With regard to other retention measures, there are a range of actions outlined in the White Paper on Defence (2015) which are aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Defence Forces. These include HR initiatives which impact on retention such as providing career development opportunities and accreditation. The criteria for extending service beyond twelve years have been revised and this has ensured that personnel who would have had to depart could remain. An examination of age profiles for enlisted personnel has been prioritised and this is being progressed. In addition, the military authorities have introduced further initiatives to enhance work-life balance and this is also to be welcomed.

The Government is committed to retaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.

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