Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The figures I gave are accurate. I got them from my Department. The current officer strength level is 86%. I absolutely recognise that we have challenges in specific areas. I have stated this on numerous occasions. I am trying to come up with proposals and ideas on how to surmount those challenges. One of the things I have asked for is direct entry and re-entry. A number of officers, specifically those who were in engineering posts, pilots and those who were serving with the European Defence Agency, EDA, want to come back into the organisation. I do not disagree with the Deputy and I will not say that we do not have challenges. I do not believe, however, that the figures she has highlighted are the real figures. I would be the first to state that there are challenges at junior officer level. That is one of the reasons we have increased the number of cadets coming in.

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