Written answers

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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242. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which recruitment to the Defence Forces is required; if recruitment is planned at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47421/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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247. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps remains adequate to meet any exigencies of an emergency or ongoing nature; if further recruitment is required to achieve optimum strength; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47426/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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248. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total number of women currently in the Defence Forces; the extent to which these numbers have fluctuated over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47427/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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249. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if it is recognised that the strength of the Defence Forces needs to be maintained at a level that is capable of meeting any and all requirements arising from emergency or other situations such as natural disasters; if he is satisfied that overseas deployments can continue to be met notwithstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47428/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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252. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total number of women currently serving in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, the extent to which the numbers have fluctuated over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47431/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 242, 247 to 249, inclusive, and 252 together.

The Permanent Defence Force (PDF) female strength and the total PDF strength, over the past 10 years and as at 31st August 2021, is outlined in following table.

PDF Female Strength and Total PDF Strength 2011 - 2021

PDF Female Strength* by Branch PDF Strength*
Year Army Air Corps Naval Service Total Total
2011 469 29 66 564 9,375
2012 484 30 68 582 9,293
2013 448 34 64 546 9,236
2014 464 35 64 563 9,279
2015 458 33 61 552 9,140
2016 466 34 68 568 9,126
2017 496 34 70 600 9,173
2018 498 35 68 601 8,957
2019 501 34 63 598 8,659
2020 496 39 68 603 8,572
**2021 492 39 72 603 8,550

* Wholetime Equivalent

** As at 31st August 2021

The White Paper on Defence 2015 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 Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces

While I have acknowledged there are staffing challenges, the manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is carefully monitored and I am satisfied there is sufficient capacity to effectively undertake all assigned tasks.  Furthermore, the following initiatives continue to be implemented to counter those challenges and play a role in restoring and retaining capacity and boosting specialist numbers:

- Continuing traditional recruitment.

- The scope of direct entry competitions was expanded in 2021 and competition terms and conditions continue to be revised to further improve intakes.

- Ongoing re-enlistment & re-commissioning former PDF members who possess the skills to fill specialist posts.

- Commitment scheme for Flying Officers in the Air Corp along with a Naval Service Commitment Scheme and an extension of a sea-going tax credit aimed at retaining experienced personnel.

- 15 projects, undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC Report on Recruitment and Retention, are mostly completed.

Additionally, the independent Commission on the Defence Forces is examining a range of recruitment and retention matters and I look forward to receiving their recommendations, which will be considered and implemented as appropriate.

With the support of the Chief of Staff, I remain committed to maximising recruitment and retention of both men and women to maintain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles both at home and abroad.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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243. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to address reported incidents of bullying or sexual abuse in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47422/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I listened with concern to the women who recounted their experiences on the Women of Honour programme on RTE Radio on the 11 September 2021.

On Tuesday of this week, I met with participants from the Women of Honour group and with a group of serving female members of the Defence Forces, where I had the opportunity to listen carefully to their experiences, in what were very informative meetings.  I would like to express my deep appreciation to the women, both former and serving members, for highlighting this serious matter and for taking the time to meet with me.  Participants from the Women of Honour group met with the Secretary General and a senior official from my Department last Thursday and I understand this was also a productive meeting.

It is clear to me, the Chief of Staff, and the Secretary General that there are very strong views that the culture that is pervading, and the application of the current policies, systems and procedures in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault have not, and are not, serving all Defence Forces personnel well.  I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to anyone who has suffered during their time in the Defence Forces and to assure them that the State will carry out an Independent Review, which will be undertaken by external and entirely independent and unbiased experts in this field.  This Review will examine the effectiveness of these policies, systems and procedures. 

The terms of the Review, which are in the process of being finalised, are being reviewed in light of  recent meetings with the Women of Honour group and with serving female personnel.  Further engagement with the Women of Honour Group on the Terms of the Review is proposed.  In addition engagement with other stakeholders, including with the Representative Associations, is also scheduled, and will additionally inform the terms.

The Commission on Defence Forces established in December 2020, is due to report by end December 2021 and their views will additionally be an important aid to the Independent Review.

Finally, I wish to assure the Deputy that I, as Minister, and both the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General are fully committed to ensuring that each and every single member of the Defence Forces, both male and female, has the right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties in a safe workplace, underpinned by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, or harassment.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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244. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the basis on which personnel who were awarded compensation on foot of specific injuries incurred while in active service are having their awards deducted from the pension entitlement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47423/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am taking it that the Deputy is referring to the provisions of Section 13(2) of the Army Pensions Act 1923, as amended.

The Army Pensions Acts provide for the grant of pensions and gratuities to former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in respect of permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad) or due to disease attributable to or aggravated by overseas service with the United Nations. 

Section 13(2) of the Army Pensions Act 1923, as amended, provides that “Any compensation which may be received from or on behalf of the person alleged to be responsible for the act which caused the wounding ... may be taken into consideration in fixing the amount of any pension, allowance or gratuity which might be awarded under this Act to or in respect of such person and if such compensation is received after the award of any such pension or allowance the Minister may review the award and, having regard to the amount of such compensation, either terminate or reduce the amount thereof.” 

The underlying objective of section 13(2) is to take into consideration compensation from whatever source paid ‘on the double’ for the same disablement.

In a case where Section 13(2) applies, the applicant or his/her solicitors are advised of the provisions of Section 13(2). They are invited to make submissions as to how much, if any of the compensation should be taken into account in fixing the rate of disability pension.  The Minister then makes a bona fide decision based on a consideration of all circumstances of the case, including the annuity value of the compensation awarded.

The Deputy may wish to note that the Courts, in various previous judgements, have upheld the Minister’s statutory right to take into consideration that part of the damages which can properly be regarded as general damages or that part which can properly be regarded as referable to loss of earnings, as he considers proper.

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