I understand that at the end of February there were in excess of 7,500 personnel enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force. This is just over 4,000 short of the ambition outlined in the programme for Government. We need to increase enlistment by 50%, which is a substantial target to achieve. Would the Tánaiste have any indication at this stage when he would hope to at least get the enlistment above the 8,000 figure because it is important that we get back to a critical enlistment across all aspects of the Permanent Defence Force?
Sentiment score: 0.25
It is good to know there is stabilisation. Hopefully, stabilisation and an increase in enlistment would give more momentum to recruitment and obviously to the important retention aspect as well. The programme for Government has a welcome commitment to build on improvements in the recruitment process, including a nationwide programme for transition year and third level students and better representation of women at all levels of the Defence Forces. Are there particular measures being implemented this year to implement those commitments? Also, there is a commitment to examine incentives and structural changes to make a military career accessible to a wider range of candidates and to encourage existing personnel to extend their military careers. Far too often, I have seen very young people leave the Defence Forces with the ludicrous situation a few years ago where some people had to leave after 20 years' service. There were young women and men in their early forties who were forced to retire. It made no sense whatsoever. Most of them have gone on to other careers. I made representations on behalf of many of them but they could not be kept on because of the contract they went in under. I sincerely hope that no organ of the State will ever introduce such a type of recruitment and terms of employment in the future.
Sentiment score: 0.22
I thank the Tánaiste for his further response. I genuinely believe that if we had a stronger Reserve Defence Forces, it would be a great conduit for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force. I represented two Border constituencies during many bad years on this island. I saw the importance of the Reserve Defence Forces along the Border working in the communities that I have the privilege of representing and living in. Over the years the Reserve Defence Forces recruited many young people who may have been vulnerable to other unsavoury groups. Many of those young people went on to have star careers in the Permanent Defence Force. We should have a strengthened Reserve Defence Forces. It can be an extra welcome ingredient in getting more people enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force. The Tánaiste will have the opportunity to talk to some of the people who would have served in the Border areas during the bad days. Unfortunately, that went on for many decades. I knew many Army personnel at all levels who I lived among and who I came across in my daily activities because their presence was needed in our communities. They will give the Tánaiste a clear and positive message about the importance of the Reserve Defence Forces and what they could do in the future, not going back to the work that they did in the past but as a recruitment process to strengthen the Permanent Defence Force as well as carrying out their own important work.
Sentiment score: 0.22
I ask this question on behalf of Deputy O'Meara. As the Tánaiste will know, Uachtarán na hÉireann today paid tribute to members of the Civil Defence. Ireland's Civil Defence has been in existence for 75 years. I am sure we all compliment them on the great work they do in our local communities. I welcome the Tánaiste's announcement during the week regarding instructor allowances for officers in the Defence Forces. The announcement of instructor payments for officer members who are heavily relied on to plan, supervise and deliver crucial training along with their non-commissioned instructor colleagues is a vital measure in recruitment and retention, which we spoke about earlier. Will the Tánaiste let us know when this particular measure will be implemented?
Sentiment score: 0.27
I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I will ask just one further supplementary question, given that other Members are waiting to ask questions also. The Tánaiste will be aware of another issue of interest to Defence Forces' organisations, which is the finding of the defence sector arbitration board on 18 November. It upheld a ruling that the terms and conditions the director of military prosecutions should be amended to remove the prohibition on that officeholder holding membership of a representative association. I believe this issue may have not yet come to the Tánaiste's attention. I do not believe that person should be barred from holding membership of a representative organisation if he or she so wishes.
Sentiment score: 0.20