Mr. Maurice Quinn:

The Government has stabilised the establishment figure for the Defence Forces at 9,500. We are currently running in and around a figure of 9,000. There was a big intake of cadets in the past two weeks. I suspect that we are now at a figure of just over 9,000. We issue the numbers regularly, usually in response to parliamentary questions. An unusual feature is that, throughout the period of austerity, there was continuous recruitment to the Defence Forces. My understanding is it was the only part of the public service in which there was no interruption of recruitment. That is the level of commitment to increasing numbers. It is a fact that, to an extent, we have been standing still for the past couple of years in that the number leaving is matching the number coming in, which is a source of frustration. The key point for me, however, in terms of what is voted for us is that we have a pay budget for 9,500 personnel and all of the attendant allowances and marginal costs. It is really important that we keep that budget all the way along in order that when we do get to a figure of 9,500 personnel, we will be fully funded.

When it came to the ship replacement programme, we found ourselves with an excess on the pay side because we did not reach the target of 9,500 personnel. It seemed to us that, rather than surrender it, the most sensible thing to do was to use it to gain the best traction we could in our negotiations with the builder of the ship, such that we would get the best deal. We used the money on the capital side because we did not make it to the figure of 9,500 personnel. I really need to stress that we have always had and have the funds for 9,500 personnel, as the Minister has said consistently. Our ambition is to reach a figure of 9,500 personnel. I do not believe anybody could question the effort that has gone into recruitment and the numbers we have taken on. Considering the development we have had, whereby we are to opt for two recruitment campaigns per year, shorten the contact we have and get the fitness element running, I hope we will improve on the position during 2018.