Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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139. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of posts throughout the Defence Forces waiting to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4889/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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144. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of promotions pending throughout all branches of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4894/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 144 together.

The table below outlines the number of vacancies, that exist in the PDF as at 31st December 2020. Vacancies are filled on an ongoing basis in line with promotional arrangements and, in certain cases, direct entry competitions. Vacancies at Private Rank are filled by general service recruitment and direct entry competition.

It is normal, at a particular point in time, for some ranks to be oversubscribed and others to be undersubscribed. For example, whilst there are vacancies at the rank of Captain there are currently substantially more Lieutenants than are provided for in the establishment.

Vacancies as at 31st December 2020

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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140. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women in the Defence Forces has fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4890/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As at 31st December 2020, the latest date for which such data is available, the number of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 603.

The table below shows the number of women in the Permanent Defence Force in each of the last 5 years.

The White Paper on Defence 2015, which provides the current defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon, contains a number of initiatives and projects designed to encourage more women to apply for the Defence Forces and to increase female participation at all ranks.

The commitment to increase participation by female personnel in all aspects of Defence Forces operations is further exemplified in the Defence Forces Equality Policy and the Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan, which outlines the Organisation’s commitment to gender equality.

The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.