Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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66. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of discharges currently pending in the Army, the Naval Service, the Air Corps and the reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36187/20]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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76. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of applications, inductions and discharges in the Army, the Naval Service, the Air Corps and the reserve in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36186/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 76 together.

The tables below set out the information requested by the Deputy on the number of discharges from 2017 to 2019 and to 30th September 2020. 

As of the 12th November there were 14 Permanent Defence Force (PDF) discharges pending -2 in the Air Corps and 12 in the Army.  Additionally there were 5 Reserve Defence Force discharges pending.

Within the PDF, the term 'discharges' encompasses personnel who left for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges and, as can be seen in the attached document, also includes a number of trainees who exited prior to completion of their initial training.

I accept that there are on-going difficulties in the Defence Forces, and these have been well-documented.

The Public Service Pay Commission Report and implementation of the High Level Plan - strengthening Our Defence Forces - Phase 1, is a key part of the response to address recruitment and retention challenges

The recent announcement of a sea-going service commitment scheme for Naval Service personnel is an example of a measure aimed at retaining experienced personnel and follows the reintroduction of a successful service commitment scheme for Flying Officers in the Air Corps.

The restoration of capacity in the Defence Forces will take time. The Programme for Government provides that a Commission on the Defence Forces will be tasked with examining a range of issues. This will provide an opportunity to chart the future direction of the Defence Forces. There is also a commitment to establish a pay review body for the Defence Forces when the Commission has completed its work.