Naval Service sees ‘unprecedented’ exodus of personnel
The number of people discharged from the Naval Service is likely to reach unprecedented levels by the year end.
PDForra, which represents enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces, said that, as of last week, 71 people had sought to be discharged from the Naval Service.
It is aware more are seeking to quit, with the likelihood the total will exceed 100.
PDForra president Mark Keane described the exodus as “unprecedented” and said the vast majority of those seeking discharges are quitting before retirement.
“We only took on 26 recruits so far this year,” said Mr Keane.
“There will be another recruit class organised for later in the year and they will look for 40 to 50 people to fill it and we don’t know how many they’ll get.”
The recruitment crisis was highlighted recently when the Defence Forces invited 65 applicants to travel to the naval headquarters in Haulbowline to take medical and fitness tests, and attend interviews. Just six turned up.
Vice-admiral Mark Mellett, the chief of staff, has written to senior officers acknowledging the Defence Forces cannot recruit its way out of the current situation.
In the letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, he stated that “improving retention rates among our highly qualified and experienced personnel is and will remain a key to addressing our current challenges”.
The Naval Service’s most senior officer said it is no secret that one of the main factors in personnel leaving the Defence Forces early is the level of pay and allowances.
He emphasised that general staff had been very actively seeking improvements in pay and conditions.
Vice-admiral Mellett said he and his general staff “will continue to advocate with key decision-makers for the right pay, terms and conditions, and fit-for-purpose promotion systems”.
They will also underline the loyalty and outstanding service that soldiers, sailors, and aircrews provide to the State, he said.
Mr Keane said the Government is failing to tackle the issue as the Defence Forces remain the poorest paid public servants.
He said it was a “false economy” to allow experienced personnel be discharged.
“This has been a leaky bucket situation for a number of years. But now the bucket is empty. It’s getting worse by the day. Retention has failed, recruitment has failed. Pay needs to be restored to pre-crisis levels,” said the PDForra president.
Mr Keane said the exodus of highly trained personnel is putting an increased burden on those who remain, which would have a negative impact on their work-life balance.
