Bernard Durkan
Question:143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women in senior positions in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42362/24]
View answerThursday, 17 October 2024
Questions (143)
Written answers
I am advised by the military authorities that, as at 31 August 2024, the whole time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 563. A breakdown of this strength, by Branch and by rank is provided in the attached table.
In line with current policies and commitments, a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. Examples of such initiatives include:
• The establishment of a female specific recruitment team which co-ordinates attendance of tri-service female specific recruiting teams at national and regional level events.
• A gender perspective is incorporated in all advertising. Multiple videos, to be used across various social media platforms to demonstrate what is to be expected on induction day, were recently produced and will emphasis female participation.
• Fitness test requirements are tailored specifically for females. A fitness test preparation video is available on the military website to demonstrate the modified push-up for females.
• The Defence Forces Recruitment Office are actively reaching out to female applicants in the recruitment pipeline in order to support them throughout the application, where appropriate.
• A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.
• A direct entry competition for a Senior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Gender Advisor has concluded with the appointment of a female at Colonel rank.
The Government remains committed to increasing female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve.
SUBSTANTIVE RANK AND STRENGTH OF FEMALES IN THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCES (PDF) AS OF 31 AUGUST 2024
|
LT GEN |
MAJ GEN |
BRIG GEN |
COL |
LT COL |
COMDT |
CAPT |
LT |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
PTES |
CADETS |
TOTAL |
|
|
WTE ARMY |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
57 |
34 |
40 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
12 |
55 |
72 |
175 |
8 |
462 |
|
WTE AIR CORPS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
13 |
2 |
39 |
|
WTE NS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
29 |
1 |
62 |
|
WHOLE TIME EQUIVALENT TOTAL PDF |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
75 |
42 |
43 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
13 |
65 |
83 |
217 |
11 |
563 |