Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will give the figures for the past few years. A total of 65 officers have left so far this year. Last year the figure was 82; in 2013 it was 60; in 2012 it was 70, while nin 2011 it was 72. A total of 414 enlisted personnel have left so far this year. Last year the figure was 393; it was 400 the year before, 725 the year before that and 600 the year before that. Members will see what the turnover is in terms of numbers. We need to replace them as quickly as we can. There is a gap between the two, but we need to get the right type of people who will have to reach the necessary benchmarks in fitness tests and so on. Our recruitment campaign is quite successful and will continue to be. We have 92 cadets in training, a very high figure relative to the numbers in recent years. New leaders are being developed in the Defence Forces, as necessary.