manning levels, the future.

[batterysgt]

if anyone is interested some years back on this forum I plotted AR strength back to the 1960s off of oireachtas debates down the years

Can you up date and share here again.

[na grohmiti]

The only element of the DF that have gained any personnel is the NSR

This was greatly necessary, the units, post reorg, had dropped below levels of sustainability.
Any chance trell, that you keep the numbers here to those just relating to the NS and NSR? There are enough discussions on AR and Army strength elsewhere on this site.

[ancientmariner]

Its merely granting a credit that already existed for other seafarers. It's being sold to the DF as a lotto win.

seafarers always got tax credits. In the north sea environment the Brit revenue are returning all tax less National Insurance to seafaring applicants but with extensive form filling and voyage evidence.
As regards other manning matters in this thread , it is an indictment of Military training and a dilution of seafaring solidarity and cohesion, that we cannot train our own cooks . The problem is an able rate has a large range of military duties in addition to his professional rating which requires at least 12 weeks of non-stop training to get basics right, followed by branch training for another period before advancement to O/Sea and Able rate. This will be an additional training burden that must be carried out to fit in new cook entrants.

[DeV]

seafarers always got tax credits. In the north sea environment the Brit revenue are returning all tax less National Insurance to seafaring applicants but with extensive form filling and voyage evidence.
As regards other manning matters in this thread , it is an indictment of Military training and a dilution of seafaring solidarity and cohesion, that we cannot train our own cooks . The problem is an able rate has a large range of military duties in addition to his professional rating which requires at least 12 weeks of non-stop training to get basics right, followed by branch training for another period before advancement to O/Sea and Able rate. This will be an additional training burden that must be carried out to fit in new cook entrants.

We can and do.... problem is they are leaving !

[ancientmariner]

Rather than recruit trained chefs we should canvas candidates about to complete their courses at the IT's or catering schools and enlist them specially as cook recruits. They should then undergo the recruit syllabus and then be rated Able Cook .

[DeV]

Rather than recruit trained chefs we should canvas candidates about to complete their courses at the IT's or catering schools and enlist them specially as cook recruits. They should then undergo the recruit syllabus and then be rated Able Cook .

In effect they are, the candidates have to have a QQI Level 6 (but don’t need experience).

They will do a 16-20 week basic course followed by 9 week DE Chefs Conversion Cse.



There seem to have been plenty of DF chef’s Cses over the last few years so I’m guessing there is a bit of a brain drain and the DF is finding it difficult to replace them.


Question is (and I did see a case in an ODF report), why don’t the DF survey people who already hold outside qualifications and see if they want to take up relevant appointments ?

[ancientmariner]

In effect they are, the candidates have to have a QQI Level 6 (but don’t need experience).

They will do a 16-20 week basic course followed by 9 week DE Chefs Conversion Cse.



There seem to have been plenty of DF chef’s Cses over the last few years so I’m guessing there is a bit of a brain drain and the DF is finding it difficult to replace them.


Question is (and I did see a case in an ODF report), why don’t the DF survey people who already hold outside qualifications and see if they want to take up relevant appointments ?

Glad to see the matter in hand as outlined in your reference to basic and conversion courses. military Cooks of decent standard often double job in Hotels and restaurants and are easily weaned away by money or a bit of the business.

[ancientmariner]

We can and do.... problem is they are leaving !

In today's Irish examiner there is a piece on the shock of a group of Dail members visiting recruit and other accommodations in the CTC. it included mould, cold, and the standard blocked toilets. These are the same Dail members who oversaw the E 1.6m printer and E41m E-voting machines and allowed millions of Defence funds to be returned unspent annually. This year they are happy to return E60m of children's budget unspent. Kehoe's excuse was it would cost millions-so what- it will be there as a legacy for all future recruits and trained men. PDFORRA should be ashamed of themselves that there isn't a written agreed standard for Service conditions for accommodation, dining, medical and hospital support.

[DeV]

https://pdforra.ie/news/?p=1725

[ancientmariner]

In today's Irish examiner there is a piece on the shock of a group of Dail members visiting recruit and other accommodations in the CTC. it included mould, cold, and the standard blocked toilets. These are the same Dail members who oversaw the E 1.6m printer and E41m E-voting machines and allowed millions of Defence funds to be returned unspent annually. This year they are happy to return E60m of children's budget unspent. Kehoe's excuse was it would cost millions-so what- it will be there as a legacy for all future recruits and trained men. PDFORRA should be ashamed of themselves that there isn't a written agreed standard for Service conditions for accommodation, dining, medical and hospital support.

It is interesting to examine closely the budget structure of the neighbouring nation. It runs at about £46b and is about 1.8% of GDP. about 25% goes on personnel and 34% on various equipment and it's support . The expenditure on buildings and infrastructure reaches 19.5%. They allow nearly 4% for R&D and they have a separate trading agency that buys and trades Defence equipments. If we were meeting western budget standards we would be spending E5bn on Defence and housing our personnel.