Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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101. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacant engineer room artificer technicians currently in the Naval Service; when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36548/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The military authorities have provided the following requested information, as at 13 September 2024, in respect of Engine Room Artificers in the Naval Service:

*includes 16 personnel undergoing training to become Engine Room Artificers.

Vacancies are filled in line with promotional arrangements, as appropriate, and by recruitment. A direct entry competition for Engine Room Artificers is ongoing and, as of the 31 August 2024, attracted 15 applications.

In an effort to remove all potential obstacles to recruiting and retaining personnel, the Government agreed to increase the maximum retirement age for Permanent Defence Force personnel to 62. This facilitated an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles (General Service Recruits, Cadets and certain specialists including Engine Room Artificers) with a current recruitment age below 39 years.