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Defence Forces Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 May 2017

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

Questions (41)

Peter Burke

Question:

41. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position on measures being taken to facilitate a return to service of former members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23084/17]

View answer

Oral answers (7 contributions)

I wish to ask the Minister for Defence about the position on measures being taken to facilitate a return to service of former members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Government is committed to maintaining the establishment of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service members, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. On an ongoing basis the manpower requirements of the Defence Forces are monitored in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As there is a significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force, targeted recruitment has been and is taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. As in other areas of the public service, challenges have arisen in the recruitment and retention of personnel in particular areas of expertise. I am supportive of initiatives beyond the traditional recruitment processes to fill skill gaps in this context. Facilitating a return to service by former members of the Defence Forces is one such initiative. Former members offer the twin advantages of expertise and familiarity with the military. Previously, individual requests have been dealt with on a bespoke needs basis, given the relatively low number of such applications. The applications were at officer level. However, this initiative is not without challenge and requires careful consideration. Civilian and military officials are engaged in scoping appropriate terms and conditions for the re-employment of former officers of the Permanent Defence Force. In due course the approach will be discussed with the relevant representative organisations.

I understand there are some former members of the Defence Forces who are willing to return and contribute to removing the deficits in the Defence Forces. While the matter is being addressed in a more long-term manner by the approach being taken by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to the report of the Public Pay Commission, many members of the Defence Forces must retire early or take leave for a variety of reasons. A large volume of these members are fit and healthy and still desire to work on behalf of their country. They bring a huge wealth of experience and value to the Defence Forces. Members of the Defence Forces can serve up for to 21 years in the ranks of private and corporal, subject to meeting the demands of fitness, overseas service and medical and training criteria. Members in the rank of sergeant and higher can serve up to age of 50 years, the minimum pension age. PDFORRA has made repeated calls for this limit to be extended and it could be cost-effective for the State.

I am engaged in continuous negotiations with PDFORRA specifically on that issue. On facilitating a return of ex-service members and particularly officers to the Defence Forces, I have directed both the Secretary General of my Department and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces to carry out a scoping exercise and return to me with some proposal that has been negotiated with the representative organisations to see a return of these personnel.

I thank the Minister of State for the update. How many applications have there been from ex-members to re-enter the Defence Forces? Does the Minister of State have that information? Does he believe that if the scheme was implemented, it would encourage more ex-members to return to the service? Why can such a scheme not be implemented immediately? What is the timeline for it?

My understanding is there are two such applications, one of which is in the Air Corps. My understanding is that it is from a pilot. The other is in the Army where there is a specific need in the context of EODS. As I mentioned, there are various elements to be considered in devising arrangements for re-engagement. I have instructed both the Secretary General of my Department and the Chief of Staff to come up with a proposal for the re-entry of previous employees of the Defence Forces.

That concludes Question Time for today. I apologise to those Members who did not get in. I did the best I could to keep things moving, but, unfortunately, we ran out of time.

Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.
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