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For Oral Answer on : 02/02/2023
Question Number(s): 32,53 Question Reference(s): 4780/23, 4781/23
Department: Defence
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION



* To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of enlisted members, by rank, who left the Naval Service in 2021 and 2022, respectively, in tabular form; the reasons for leaving; the policies in place to encourage the retention of personnel in the Naval Service; the effectiveness of these policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– David Stanton T.D.


For ORAL answer on Thursday, 2 February, 2023.

* To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of enlisted members, by rank, who left the Air Corps in 2021 and 2022, respectively, in tabular form; the reasons for leaving; the policies in place to encourage the retention of personnel in the Air Corps; the effectiveness of these policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– David Stanton T.D.


For ORAL answer on Thursday, 2 February, 2023.

REPLY

The attached tables contain the requested details of enlisted personnel who discharged from the Air Corp and the Naval Services, in 2021 and 2022.


The Government has previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Naval Service, and the Defence Forces in general.  Challenges have existed in recruiting and retaining certain specialists which can prove difficult to retain as there are competing demands for such specialists in other sectors. In response to the specific challenges in the Naval Service, a comprehensive Naval Service Regeneration Plan is being progressed and monitored by a high-level civil/military team. The aim of this plan is to address issues, including Human Resource matters, facing the Naval Service. A number of the staffing measures in the plan have already been implemented.
 
A number of other retention initiatives are also currently underway. These include service commitment schemes in the Air Corps and Naval Service, and the sea-going naval personnel tax credit. Agreement has also been secured to allow for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals and on an interim arrangement, for sergeants.
 
Pay has improved as a result of increases arising from the Public Service Pay Commission report, from recent pay agreements, and the early implementation of some of the recommendations of Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF). The implementation of two of these recommendations, namely personnel of Private 3 Star/Able Seaman rank being paid the full rate of Military Service Allowance (MSA) applicable to the rank; and the removal of the requirement for that cohort to ‘mark time’ for the first three years at that rank, have had a substantial impact on starting pay rates in the Defence Forces, and compare very well to starting pay rates across the public service.
 
Arising from the Commission on the Defence Force report, Government has approved a move, over a six-year period, to realise a Defence Forces strength of 11,500 by 2028, incorporating an appropriate civilian component. The Defence Forces are developing strategies to achieve this and to address the current shortfall in numbers.

Naval Service Enlisted Discharges 2021, by Rank and Discharge Reason.

DISCHARGE REASON WO SCPOCPOSPOPOLSA/SO/SRECAPPRCADET TOTAL
At his own request after 12 years’ service000030000003
At his/her own request000000000011
At his/her own request on compassionate grounds 000000001001
Below defence forces medical standards000011300005
Discharge by purchase000005240170046
Expiry of PDF service000000000000
On pension after 21 years’ service01701612000027
On termination of engagement0120343000013
Total Discharges02902311320180196

Naval Service Enlisted Discharges 2022, by Rank and Discharge Reason

REASONWOSCPOCPOSPOPOLSA/SO/SRECAPPRCADETTOTAL
At his own request after 12 years’ service000034100008
At his/her own request000010100013
Below defence forces medical standards000000200002
Discharge by purchase00001724060038
Expiry of PDF service000020000002
On pension after 21 years’ service00811261000028
On termination of engagement0022341000012
Total Discharges00103222130060193

Air Corp Enlisted Discharges 2021, by Rank and Discharge Reason

REASON SGT MAJBQMSCSCQMSSGTCPLPTE 3*PTE 2*RECAPPRCADETTOTAL
At his own request after 12 years’ service000013000004
At his/her own request000000000022
Below defence forces medical standards000110300005
Discharge by purchase00000010002012
Expiry of PDF service000000100001
On pension after 21 years’ service0030444000015
On termination of engagement003010200006
Total Discharges00617720002245

Air Corp Enlisted Discharges 2022, by Rank and Discharge Reason

REASONSGT MAJBQMSCSCQMSSGTCPLPTE 3*PTE 2*RECAPPRCADETTOTAL
At his own request after 12 years’ service000001100002
At his/her own request000000200013
Below defence forces medical standards000011000002
Discharge by purchase00000213102018
Expiry of PDF service000000200002
On pension after 21 years’ service0032993000026
On termination of engagement104021100009
Total Discharges1072121422102162