Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2024
131. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for the discharge rates in the Defence Forces for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 to date, in tabular form; the measures being taken to ensure that the current level of recruitment can address the level of discharge rates in the ranks throughout the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29798/24]
View answerThe following table details the total level of turnover in the PDF in 2022, 2023 and in 2024 as at 31 May, and the corresponding breakdown between trained personnel and those in training.
|
Year |
Overall Turnover Level |
In-Training |
Trained |
|
2022 |
11.19% |
1.92% |
9.26% |
|
2023 |
10% |
1.42% |
8.58% |
|
2024 |
3.81% |
0.79% |
3.02% |
Turnover levels in the PDF are carefully monitored and the Commission on the Defence Forces stated in their report that they were satisfied that, in broad terms, levels of average turnover are not out of line with other military organisations internationally.
In respect of personnel who discharge while in training, the realities of military life and the training requirements are not always suitable for some recruits or in line with their expectations of the role. In any position where there is a training period prior to appointment there will always be fall off at different stages of the process.
Trained personnel leave the PDF for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at the end of contract and voluntary discharges. A high percentage of those who leave the PDF do so with some form of pension.
I have fully acknowledged the current staffing challenges in the Defence Forces and a range of measures have been introduced by this Government to address these and make the Defence Forces an attractive option as a career choice. To this end, there is provision, contained in the €1.23 billion allocated for the Defence Sector in Budget 2024, for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel in 2024.
In addition to ongoing recruitment for general service recruits and direct entry specialists, recruitment of cadets continued in 2024 and included a new competition for Air Corps Air Traffic Controller cadetship. A new Direct Entry Air Corps Aeronautical Engineer competition was also launched recently.
There are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives underway to increase capacity. An example includes the recent increase in the maximum retirement age for PDF personnel to 60 years. This retention measure also facilitated an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 years for General Service Recruits, Cadets and certain specialists with effect from 29 March 2024. The maximum recruitment age of Direct Entry Officer specialists was increased to 50 years.
It should be noted that interest in a career in the Defence Forces remains strong with 9,479 applications received in 2023 and 6,045 received in 2024 as at 31 May.
