Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces, of all ranks, at a level of 10,000, 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.

I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 January 2010 was 9,906, comprising 8,070 Army, 805 Air Corps and 1,031 Naval Service personnel.

As the numbers in the Permanent Defence Force have dropped below 10,000, recruitment will be carried out in 2010 in order to bring the numbers back to this level. Details of the recruitment campaign for 2010 in regard to the numbers of general service recruits and the commencement of any such recruitment campaigns are not yet available. Planning for this process is under way.

I intend, with the support of the chief of staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies.

I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by the Government at home and overseas.

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