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  • Defence Forces Personnel Strength Figures

    Defence Forces Strength

    28. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and reserves has fluctuated in the past ten years; if any changes in recruitment practice is envisaged to address any issues emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33782/16]

    Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The following tabular statement outlines the extent to which the whole-time equivalent strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps has fluctuated over the last ten years.

    As of the 30th September, 2016, the strength of the PDF (whole-time equivalent) was 9,044 personnel. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence.

    The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. Personnel are posted on the basis of operational needs across the organisation both at home and abroad. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment takes place so as to maintain personnel numbers at or near the agreed strength levels.

    All efforts are currently being directed at recruitment in order to return the Defence Forces to their approved establishment. Regular competitions are held for recruitment of enlisted personnel, cadets and other staff.

    To reduce the number of occasions an applicant must present in a military installation during a General Service competition, the Defence Forces are now conducting fitness tests and competency based interviews on the same day.

    The following tabular statement (Table 2) sets out the extent to which the effective strength of the Reserve has fluctuated over the last ten years.

    In terms of the Reserve, the 2015 White Paper on Defence sets out a developmental path for the organisation. It also provides that the overarching establishment of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) is to be set at 4,169 personnel, consisting of 3,869 Army Reservists and for the expansion of the establishment of the four NSR Units from currently 200 personnel to 300.

    A key challenge is to recruit and train sufficient personnel to meet the Reserve establishment provided in the White Paper. I am committed to accelerating induction into the Reserve, in tandem with expanded recruitment into the PDF.



    Table 1 – PDF Strength Fluctuation

    Year Army Naval Service Air Corps Total Approved Strength
    2006 8532 1082 865 10479
    2007 8512 1077 845 10434
    2008 8507 1070 832 10409
    2009 8095 1031 807 9933
    2010 7752 1032 766 9550
    2011 7650 997 791 9438
    2012 7510 1058 791 9359
    *2013 7434 1023 779 9236
    2014 7457 1057 766 9280
    2015 7309 1083 748 9140
    2016 (to end Sept) 7247 1079 718 9044



    * Strength figures from 2013 on are Whole Time Equivalents



    Table 2 – RDF Strength Fluctuation

    Year Reserve Defence Force Approved Strength
    2006 9134
    2007 8408
    2008 7671
    2009 6644
    2010 6083
    2011 5220
    2012 4978 *
    2013 3655 *
    2014 2302
    2015 2280
    2016 (to end Sept) 2095


    * 2012 & 2013 – Due to the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force there is a significantly larger margin of error applicable to these figures.

  • #2
    Based on these figures, the linear trend projection means that if things keep going the way they are going, Army Personnel will number 6,500 by the year 2020. (Army strength projection will be 5,700 in the year 2025).

    Reserve personnel strength linear trend projection is zero by 2018

    Air Corps linear trend projection is 600 in the year 2025

    Comment


    • #3
      Defence Forces Strength - 2025 - Copy.pdf

      Graph

      Comment


      • #4
        Defence Forces Strength

        37. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current effective strength of the Permanent Defence Forces in terms of the actual numbers of trained personnel available for operational taskings on a daily basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33847/16]

        Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) is calculated in terms of whole-time equivalents. This data is collated on a monthly basis. As of the 30th September, 2016, the strength of the PDF (whole-time equivalent) was 9,044 personnel. Of this figure, 175 are recruits and 160 are cadets, meaning there are 8,709 operationally available personnel.

        The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, which includes personnel in training, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence.

        The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. Personnel are posted on the basis of operational needs across the organisation both at home and abroad. Members of the Defence Forces are assigned to specific units, which are stationed at various military installations throughout the country, each having a defined area of taskings in line with the roles of the Defence Forces outlined in the White Paper.

        With the support of the Chief of Staff, I am confident that we shall retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks assigned by Government, both at home and overseas.

        Comment


        • #5
          DAIL ANSWERS Wednesday 9th November 2016

          Overseas Missions

          212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which he expects Irish troop deployment overseas in respect of EU or UN missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34027/16]

          Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): As of 01 November 2016, Ireland is contributing 496 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world, along with deployments to two standby Battlegroup Headquarters and a range of international organisations and National Representations.

          As of 01 November 2016

          1. UN MISSIONS
          (i) UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ 30
          UNIFIL 53rd Infantry Group 181
          UNIFIL Sector West HQ 4
          (ii) UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria 13
          (iii) MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) 3
          (iv) MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) 4
          (v) UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast) 1
          (vi) UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) HQ, 6
          Golan Heights, Syria
          UNDOF 54th Infantry Group 129
          TOTAL 371

          UN MANDATED MISSIONS
          (vii) EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) 7
          (viii) EUTM Mali (EU-Led Training Mission) 18
          (ix) KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo ) HQ 12

          2. OTHER DEPLOYMENTS
          Naval Service Humanitarian Mission in Mediterranean L.É. Samuel Beckett 57
          TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS 465
          ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE)
          (i) OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina 1
          (ii) Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna 1
          TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH OSCE 2

          3. EU MILITARY STAFF
          Brussels 4

          4. EU BATTLE GROUP
          German-led Battle Group 2016 - HQ, STRASBOURG 10
          UK-led Battle Group 2016, UK 5

          5. MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF
          (i) Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York 1
          (ii) Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna 1
          (iii) Military Representative to EU (Brussels) 4
          (iv) Liaison Officer of Ireland, NATO /PfP (Brussels) 2
          (v) EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium 1
          (vi) Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium 1

          TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS 496

          Comment


          • #6
            Defence Forces Strength

            37. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current effective strength of the Permanent Defence Forces in terms of the actual numbers of trained personnel available for operational taskings on a daily basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33847/16]

            Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) is calculated in terms of whole-time equivalents. This data is collated on a monthly basis. As of the 30th September, 2016, the strength of the PDF (whole-time equivalent) was 9,044 personnel. Of this figure, 175 are recruits and 160 are cadets, meaning there are 8,709 operationally available personnel.

            DAIL ANSWERS Wednesday 9th November 2016

            Overseas Missions

            212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which he expects Irish troop deployment overseas in respect of EU or UN missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34027/16]

            Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): As of 01 November 2016, Ireland is contributing 496 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world, along with deployments to two standby Battlegroup Headquarters and a range of international organisations and National Representations.

            Total DF Personnel Strength = 9,044
            Total DF Operational Strength = 8,709

            Total DF Personnel O/S = 496

            Total On-Island Operational Strength = 8,213

            Total On-Island Operational Strength as a percentage of ECF Establishment (9,500) = 86%
            Last edited by TangoSierra; 11 November 2016, 14:39.

            Comment


            • #7
              The ECF was before the change to a 2 brigade structure

              Comment


              • #8
                The reserve numbers are fking shocking but not a surprise. I have the numbers in a file somewhere of RDF/FCA numbers going back to 1970 through the Troubles and this is so bad its gone beyond farce. There's a huge block in the system before the enlistment phase - as someone who's been involved for 25+ years in the process its shocking

                Paradoxically we've a huge access to whatever we want !
                "Are they trying to shoot down the other drone? "

                "No, they're trying to fly the tank"

                Comment


                • #9
                  Trellheim spot on I remember when I joined mid 70,s we were told total strength was approx. 25/30k bodies bugger all gear and Gucci equipment but loads of enthusiasm and drive , fast forward to now and the contrast is stark !!!
                  Bohs till I die

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    A more simple and straightforward question to the Dail might be:

                    'When and where was the fundamental decision/change in process made that facilitated a 77% drop in Reservist numbers in 10 years?'

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      In an example of previously available (reservist) personnel numbers; in 1994 and without a huge amount of notice, 'Operation Braveheart' (!) was able to deploy about 500 members, full time, for about 6-7 weeks of that summer, and those numbers were supplemented for 1-2 weeks of that period by hundreds more.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        The thing is units where hanging onto people who were on paper only to make things look better (my unit wasn't one of these), the current figures are much more realistic.

                        Why a big drop around 2008? People who hadn't appeared since the 2005 reorg (they may have been posted somewhere they couldn't go or may have only existed on paper) were discharged after the 2 years non effective.

                        Same thing happening now after the 2013 reorg.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by WhingeNot View Post
                          In an example of previously available (reservist) personnel numbers; in 1994 and without a huge amount of notice, 'Operation Braveheart' (!) was able to deploy about 500 members, full time, for about 6-7 weeks of that summer, and those numbers were supplemented for 1-2 weeks of that period by hundreds more.
                          In the early naughties, on my PNCO there was a full coach of people from the East on the prelim weekend so that's about 50 (there may have even been 2 coaches (there was a huge amount of people there)). Approx 28 completed it.

                          There was around 10 this year completed it

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            DAIL ANSWERS 10th November 2016

                            Defence Forces Strength

                            347. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the most up to date figures for the strength of the Permanent Defence Force with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34297/16]

                            Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 September 2016, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,044. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment continues to take place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. The current General Service recruitment campaign commenced in April 2016.


                            The following tabular statements indicate the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 30th September 2016 across all three services and ranks, broken down by gender. The figures provided are for whole time equivalent posts.


                            With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, it is intended to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.


                            Army
                            Rank Male Female Total
                            Lieutenant General 1 0 1
                            Major General 2 0 2
                            Brigadier General 6 0 6
                            Colonel 32 1 33
                            Lieutenant Colonel 104 2 106
                            Commandant 226 31 257
                            Captain 218 42 260
                            Lieutenant 133 20 153
                            Sergeant Major 29 0 29
                            Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant 32 0 32
                            Company Sergeant 101 1 102
                            Company Quartermaster Sergeant 159 2 161
                            Sergeant 823 57 880
                            Corporal 1170 114 1284
                            Private 3661 175 3836
                            Cadets 96 9 105
                            Total 6793 454 7247


                            Air Corps
                            Rank Male Female Total
                            Brigadier General 1 0 1
                            Colonel 3 0 3
                            Lieutenant Colonel 12 0 12
                            Commandant 31 2 33
                            Captain 45 5 50
                            Lieutenant 22 0 22
                            Sergeant Major 7 1 8
                            Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant 3 0 3
                            Company Sergeant 55 0 55
                            Company Quartermaster Sergeant 12 1 13
                            Sergeant 110 5 115
                            Corporal 138 11 149
                            Private 218 10 228
                            Cadets 25 1 26
                            Total 682 36 718


                            Naval Service
                            Rank Male Female Total
                            Brigadier General 1 0 1
                            Colonel 2 0 2
                            Lieutenant Colonel 13 0 13
                            Commandant 42 9 51
                            Captain 36 13 49
                            Lieutenant 32 2 34
                            Sergeant Major 6 0 6
                            Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant 7 0 7
                            Company Sergeant 74 0 74
                            Company Quartermaster Sergeant 15 0 15
                            Sergeant 170 7 177
                            Corporal 123 8 131
                            Private 472 18 490
                            Cadets 25 4 29
                            Total 1018 61 1079



                            Defence Forces Reserve

                            348. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the most up to date figures for the strength of the Reserve Defence Forces; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34298/16]

                            Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): As of 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are available, the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force was 2,095, of which 279 are female personnel. Of the 2,095 personnel, 1,971 (256 females) are Army Reservists and 124 (23 females) are Naval Service Reservists.


                            The White Paper on Defence (2015) sets out an overall establishment figure of 4,169 for the RDF. Following the reorganisation of the Defence Forces in 2013 into a new ‘Single Force’ structure, ongoing monitoring of the implementation process has indicated that the establishment of the Naval Service Reserve should be revised to 300 which will bring the overarching establishment figure of the entire RDF to 4,169 personnel.


                            Recruitment campaigns are conducted on an annual ongoing basis. The current campaign which commenced in September 2015, was paused for a time to administer recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force and has since recommenced. As of 21st October 2016, a total of 4,686 applications have been received (of which 583 are female).


                            The White Paper confirms that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the PDF in times of crisis and to participate in ceremonial events. The implementation of measures set out in the 2015 White Paper will provide opportunities for certain members of the RDF to undertake new duties. I am sure that this and other White Paper initiatives will be a motivating factor in encouraging more people to join the Reserve.


                            I believe that the Reserve Defence Force is an important asset to the State. I value the contribution of all of its members who volunteer their time and service so willingly and I am fully committed to its ongoing and future development.


                            Defence Forces Recruitment

                            349. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits the Defence Forces have taken on to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34299/16]

                            Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 September 2016, was 9,044, comprising 7,247 Army, 718 Air Corps and 1,079 Naval Service. These figures exclude 68 personnel who are on secondment/career break.


                            The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. Personnel are posted on the basis of operational needs across the organisation both at home and abroad and not on a regional basis. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels.

                            I am advised by the Military Authorities that, to date in 2016, a total of 518 additional recruits have been inducted into the Defence Forces. This includes 372 General Service Recruits that have been enlisted into the Army and 47 General Service Recruits that have been enlisted into the Naval Service, to date in 2016. This year some 99 Cadets have been inducted into the Defence Forces. It is envisaged that there will be a total intake of circa 700 inductees to the Defence Forces, consisting of General Service Recruits and Cadets, in 2016.

                            I am further advised that 56 Reserve Defence Force Recruits have been enlisted to date in 2016. A recruitment campaign for the Reserve Defence Force is currently underway and further details are available on www.military.ie.

                            With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, it is intended to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by TangoSierra View Post
                              DAIL ANSWERS 10th November 2016

                              Defence Forces Recruitment

                              349. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits the Defence Forces have taken on to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34299/16]

                              Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 September 2016, was 9,044, comprising 7,247 Army, 718 Air Corps and 1,079 Naval Service. These figures exclude 68 personnel who are on secondment/career break.
                              Total DF Personnel Strength = 9,044
                              Total DF Operational Strength = 8,709

                              Total DF Personnel O/S = 496

                              Total Personnel on Secondment/Career break = 68

                              Total Available Strength = 8,145

                              Comment

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