An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 14 | J1 BRANCH A YEAR IN REVIEW EPMO BY COMDT TOM FITZPATRICK The role of the Enlisted Personnel Management Office (EPMO) is to ensure that all Enlisted Personnel of the Defence Forces are served by a highly efficient and transparent management system underpinned by the regulatory frameworks. EPMO works alongside the other J1 functions and is situated within Support Division in DFHQ. In this stream EPMO works in support of the formation Personnel Cells (G1, N1, and A1) to progress and develop projects at formation level as it pertains to workforce planning. Generally, EPMO has three key pillars: Promotions and Competitions, Overseas Selection and Military Information. Each cell has both Officer and NCO staff which respectively furnish formations and DFHQ/DOD with policy and thematic advice. EPMO has long standing Officer and NCO staff who are subject matter experts within their area. OIC EPMO advises the Director of Human Resources Branch (DJ1) on matters impacting Enlisted Members of the Defence Forces. In 2023, EPMO have worked extensively on progressing all service promotion Order of Merit lists across both Junior and Senior NCO ranks, to support the formations and directorates in filling vacancies in support of CAPDEV priorities on foot of the CODF recommendations. In parallel, EPMO engaged formations and directorates to review the current XYZ, in order to shape the promotion competition landscape in 2024. This is an important role as it allows directorates to shape the essential skillsets within their Corps to meet operational needs in the future. EPMO have responsibility for the administration and conduct of both Discrete and Limited Promotion Competitions, which were used extensively to select successful candidates for key NCO appointments in the JITC, Army Force Design, Office of Reserve Affairs, Joint Recruitment Office and other CODF Implementation appointments. The Defence Forces continues to meaningfully contribute to International Peace and Security through our Overseas Deployments. EPMO has responsibility to force generate for our larger scale PSO, and in 2022 EPMO enabled the deployment of the 67th and 68th Inf Gps to UNDOF and the 122nd and 123rd Inf Bns to UNIFIL. Throughout the deployments EPMO supported the units in personnel related matters. Currently EPMO, as the year comes to an end, have launched the 12th Potential Officers Course which will see 30 candidates commencing their training in APR 2024. UNDOF will come to an end in Q2 2024, and the EUBG will be in the "stand up phase", with EPMO having key roles in these processes. 2024 will see new opportunities for Enlisted Ranks on foot of CODF recommendations, and EPMO will be at the centre of those processes in the new year. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI) BY COMDT STEPHEN MOLUMPHY The DF FOI office has the responsibility to manage the Freedom of Information function within the Defence Forces as required under the Freedom of Information Acts. This year has seen an increased roll out of the FOI training to front line decision makers at Brigade and Corps Director level. This will continue into 2024. It is key that all personnel in the DF are aware that all, or aspects of any correspondence, written or typed and relating to work or personnel can be captured under the Freedom of Information Acts and therefore every member of the DF needs to be cognisant of such. DATA PROTECTION BY COMDT RONAN O'REILLY The area of Data Protection is ever evolving and continues to grow in importance in an increasingly data driven world. Highlights for the office over the past twelve months include the investment in resources; from the on-boarding of a new civilian clerk, to the implementation of new case management software and engaging expert consultancy to inform decision making. Training in the area of Data Protection has also been delivered as part of multiple course syllabi which has served to increase awareness of our members. These resources and activities have proven to be invaluable assets for the DPO in ensuring that the DF upholds the rights our members in line with our responsibilities as an Organisation under Data Protection legislation. BY VARIOUS CONTRIBUTORS PICTURES PROVIDED BY COMDT KATE HANRAHAN The President of the United States of America receiving a Guard of Honour on his visit in April 2023 Uachtarán na hÉireann President Michael D. Higgins at the Easter parade

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