Written answers
Tuesday, 8 September 2020
Department of Defence
Defence Forces Strength
Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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473. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address the high rate of turnover in the Defence Forces; his further plans to return the Defence Forces to full operational strength; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22408/20]
Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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474. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies by rank in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22409/20]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together.
The table below details the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by rank, as of the 31st July 2020:
| Establishment | Strength (WTE) | Vacancies/Over Establishment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT GEN | 1 | 1 | - |
| MAJ GEN | 2 | 2 | - |
| BRIG GEN | 8 | 8 | - |
| COL | 39 | 39 | - |
| LT COL | 139 | 136 | -3 |
| COMDT | 336 | 340 | +4 |
| CAPT | 452 | 341 | -111 |
| LT | 256 | 359 | +103 |
| TOTAL OFFICERS | 1,233 | 1,226 | -7 |
| SM | 43 | 41 | -2 |
| BQMS | 43 | 43 | - |
| CS | 246 | 234 | -12 |
| CQMS | 198 | 198 | - |
| SGTS | 1,330 | 1,060 | -270 |
| CPLS | 1,801 | 1,423 | -378 |
| TOTAL NCO's | 3,661 | 2,999 | -662 |
| PTES | 4,606 | 4,102 | -504 |
| CADETS | - | 85 | +85 |
| TOTAL | 9,500 | 8,412 | -1,088 |
Turnover levels in the Permanent Defence Force are being carefully monitored and the table above indicates where vacancies exist at present. A minus value in a cell indicates that the given rank is below establishment by that figure. A plus value in a cell indicates that the given rank is above establishment by this figure
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015) and, in that context, recruitment and inductions have resumed taking public health guidelines into account. A campaign to re-enlist former members of the Permanent Defence Force, to fill certain vacancies, is also underway. Additionally, vacancies are also filled on an ongoing basis through promotion competitions.
The report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) of 2019 contains a range of recommendations aimed at improving recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. A High Level Plan to give effect to the recommendations of the PSPC is currently being implemented.
The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments aimed at stabilising and restoring the strength of the Defence Forces. A Commission on the Defence Forces will be established and it is intended that on completion of the Commission's work, a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces will be established.
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