IrishTimes - Implement Defence Forces recommendations ‘urgently’ to turn around recruiting crisis - 22 Nov 23
argets ‘achievable’ if stakeholders work towards making Defence Forces attractive - Pdforra president
argets ‘achievable’ if stakeholders work towards making Defence Forces attractive - Pdforra president
The much anticipated Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces will be issued today.
The Defence Forces recruitment crisis is being felt across all wings — the army, navy, and air corps. The military is losing out to the private sector on many fronts, but at €3 a week for a bed in a barracks, and €40 for food, cheap accommodation may be a weapon to extract the Defence Forces out of its current fix.
SAM BOAL/PHOTOCALL IRELAND
The minimum establishment (lowest number of recommended personnel) for chefs in the navy is 54. Current staffing levels are 17 below that target at 37. File picture: Larry Cummins
The Journal has learned that the Detailed Action Plan document has been presented to Government.
Just 152 personnel have applied for the SSCS, of whom 141 were accepted. Picture: Denis Minihane
IRISH DEFENCE FORCES Tánaiste Micheál Martin at an event to mark the 68th Infantry deploying to Syria today.
Radical change of approach required, particularly for the younger generation coming into the labour market, says Micheál Martin
The Defence Forces concede that 'recruitment and retention are an ongoing challenge' leaving the army with little more than 6,000 personnel whereas it is supposed to have a minimum of 7,520. Stock picture
Last updated on August 24th, 2023
Tánaiste and Defence Minister Micheál Martin. Photo: Steve Humphreys
The navy has been left with just two vessels, LÉ Samuel Beckett and LÉ William Butler Yeats, to patrol 437,500sq km of waters in our exclusive economic zone. Picture: Larry Cummins
Move raises questions about how recently purchased vessels from New Zealand will be operated
Department of Defence HQ, Piercetown, Newbridge, County Kildare.
The country's military officers have for many years been covered by a government-run medical scheme, but to date enlisted personnel have not. File picture: Colin Keegan / Collins
Technical experts are needed onboard navy ships so they can go out on sea patrols. File picture: Larry Cummins
The navy is supposed to have a minimum of 54 chefs but it currently has just 37 and there are further 12 who have indicated they will quit the force by the end of this year. Picture: David Creedon
Hopes that the directive will be introduced soon, but fears that the State will water down its benefits
A derelict house located at the Curragh Camp.
Army Ranger Wing members with their parachutes taking part in a demonstration in the Curragh Camp in Kildare. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Naval vessel LÉ Róisín undergoing sea trials around before dawn in Cork Harbour. Picture: David Creedon / Anzenberger
PDForra say the recruitment and retention crisis in the Naval Service is continuing to cause problems with crewing ships.
Following a mammoth voyage from New Zealand last month, heavy lift ship Happy Dynamic arrives at Cork Harbour with two new inshore patrol boats for the Naval Service. Many sailors who commute from Dublin and other east coast areas to work from the navy headquarters in Cork Harbour have expressed an interest in being based nearer to home. Picture: David Creedon