Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans, through scheduled recruitment, to correct the extent to which the Defence Forces have disproportionate ratios of males to females in view of commitment made by him in Dáil Éireann on 21 April 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23489/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of female personnel who have retired or taken early retirement in the Defence Forces in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23764/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 157 together.

Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of Budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

Targeted recruitment will be carried out in 2010 to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces. In this regard, I have recently approved the recruitment of 40 Recruits for the Naval Service applications for which close at the end of this week. Further recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force along with issues relating to promotions and acting appointments are kept under ongoing review.

The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. It is on this basis that recruitment is undertaken.

I am advised by the Military authorities that the number of female personnel serving in the Permanent Defence Force on 30 April 2010, the latest date for which figures are currently available, was 564, of which 461 were serving in the Army, 33 in the Air Corps and 70 in the Naval Service. In terms of ranks, the breakdown of female personnel serving on 30 April 2010 was 143 Officers, 169 Non Commissioned Officers, 239 Privates and 13 Cadets. The percentage of female personnel serving on 30 April was 5.7% of the overall strength of the Force on that date.

I am further advised by the Military authorities that in the two year period, 1 June 2008 – 31 May 2010, the number of female personnel who either retired, took early retirement or were administratively discharged from the Defence Forces, amounted to 31.

Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. All promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit.

The Defence Forces prides itself on providing a gender neutral working environment. Policies on equality are being constantly communicated to all ranks. The military authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing this matter in a continuing and proactive manner.