Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I congratulate Deputy Lisa Chambers on her election and on her appointment as Fianna Fáil spokesperson on defence.

As the Deputy will be aware, during the economic crisis, recruitment was conducted within a constrained resource envelope, taking into account the need to continue to procure essential systems and equipment for the Defence Forces. Balancing recruitment and equipment investment was essential so as to ensure that the Defence Forces could continue to perform all the functions assigned to them by the Government. Notwithstanding this the Defence Forces, uniquely within the public service, continued to recruit. In addition, very significant investment was made in equipment replenishment, not least the procurement of new vessels for the Naval Service and a range of force protection equipment, including a fleet of light tactical armoured vehicles, for the Army.

The Defence Forces are currently engaged in a major programme of recruitment to bring the number of serving personnel back up to the authorised strength of 9,500. More than 600 personnel will be recruited this year and it is planned to recruit 850 personnel in 2017. However, given the numbers leaving, either on retirement or to avail of the opportunities their significant Defence Forces professional skills training offers them in the wider economy, it is likely that we will continue to turn over personnel on an annual basis. As such, it will take time to return the Defence Forces to their full strength.

Given the unique and demanding nature of military life, there is understandably a high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. However, this is not new. The Defence Forces have always had a large turnover of approximately 500 personnel annually. Moreover, a certain level of turnover is necessary to maintain an appropriate age profile across the Defence Forces as a whole.

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