Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy mentioned family-friendly policies and we have been very active in bringing family-friendly policies to the fore. The fact that male or female participants may spend three months on missions abroad and have an exchange with somebody for the following three months is a welcome addition. I have asked the general officer commanding in each of the brigades if enlisted personnel living near Kilkenny barracks or Cork or Galway barracks can do their training in the nearest barracks to their home, rather than someone from Galway having to travel to Cork or somebody from Cork having to travel to Galway. It can be very difficult to do this at times but we try to facilitate it wherever possible.

I have been on top of this issue and will make sure we retain our numbers at 9,500, or as close to it as possible. That is why this is the biggest cadet class in the history of the State at almost 100 personnel.

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