John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

233. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the maximum and the current strength levels of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61078/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

234. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the maximum and the current strength levels of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61079/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

The table below provides a breakdown, by Branch, of the whole time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 31st October 2021 which is the latest date for which such data is available, along with those of the agreed establishment.

The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed establishment of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).

I have previously acknowledged the current staffing issues within the Defence Forces, particularly within the Naval Service.A range of actions have been taken to address these issues which includes the 15 projects undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC Report on Recruitment and Retention. Most of these projects have been completed with others being considered in the context of wider public sector pay arrangements.

Other measures undertaken, aimed at retaining capacity, include two Commitment Schemes, one in the Air Corps which has had a stabilising effect on pilot numbers and one in the Naval Service to incentivise sea going duties. In addition, a sea-going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270, introduced in 2020, was extended for the current tax year and increased to €1,500, and will be further extended into 2022.

Concurrent recruitment initiatives have been, and continue to be, undertaken which complement the above retention measures in countering current staffing challenges. Recruitment in 2021 has resulted in 577 inductions as at 15th November which includes 78 inductions into the Naval Service.

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.

My focus remains on retaining/restoring all branches of the Defence Forces at their full capacity, but there is no quick fix to the current challenges. In that context, I would reiterate that there has been significant work undertaken to date, and such work continues, but it will take time to see the full effect of the measures introduced.