George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
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231. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies which arose at principal officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of these vacancies filled between internal and external methods; the number of vacancies each year at principal officer level filled by mobility; the number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by his Department since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63021/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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There are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF), established pursuant to the provisions of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), which was placed on a Statutory basis on 1 December 2024. The staffing of these bodies is included in the information set out below.

A total of 23 vacancies arose at Principal Officer level between 2022 and to date in 2025 from replacement of officers who left the Department and new positions. 13 of the vacancies were filled following various internal competitions and the remainder through external methods, seven positions were filled through advertised mobility and three on assignment from the Public Appointments Service.

A total of 15 internal competitions were held since 2010 for various positions at principal officer grade. The Department subscribes fully to the implementation of the Commission for Public Service Appointments’ Codes of Practice when administering internal competitions.