Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will respond to Deputy Ó Snodaigh first. There are 88 projects in the White Paper but a number of them have subprojects and rather than trying to hide the figure of 88, I said 95. I hope that explains it.

Recruitment and retention are challenges for the Defence Forces but it is a challenge for defence forces throughout Europe and armed forces throughout the world. When I speak to my European counterparts, they face the same issues I do. We have funding for a full strength of 9,500. The Government has provided this. Recruitment will be open in the next short while. I do not have the exact date but it will be shortly. This is with regard to Reserve personnel, enlisted personnel and cadets.

With regard to the ambulance service out of Athlone, I am not sure there have been constraints. It has been fully operational and is very successful. No one has stated to me it has been unable to fly. If it has been unable to operate, it must have been for a specific reason.

When the helicopter is being serviced it tries to provide-----