Written answers
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
Defence Forces Strength
5:00 pm
Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context
Question 263: To ask the Minister for Defence the date on which the Army will recruit additional personnel in view of approval of limited recruitment to the Army to keep the numbers at a required level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40530/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
The Government has decided to accept my recommendations that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500. I believe that this is the optimum level required to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 30 November, 2011, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,460 comprising 7,671 Army, 806 Air Corps and 983 Naval Service. Targeted recruitment has continued in 2011 to maintain the appropriate level of Defence Forces personnel and capabilities. Since 1 November 2011 there has been an intake of 201 recruits for general service enlistment with a further 39 due to be enlisted by the end of this month.
It is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue in 2012, within the resource envelope allocated to Defence, so as to maintain the Government approved strength of the Defence Forces.
No comments