Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He referred to a rewarding career in the Permanent Defence Force. From speaking to many serving personnel, I know it is not a rewarding or properly remunerated career at the moment, unfortunately. In my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan there is a strong Irish Army tradition. I have spoken to members of families who have served for three generations in the PDF and they are utterly dismayed by their pay and conditions and the lack of strength in serving barracks. Some military installations do not have adequate numbers to ensure they carry out their duties in the way that their officers and members wish to carry them out. The Minister of State mentioned recruitment campaigns, which we welcome, but alongside the campaigns, he must ensure conditions are in place to retain serving members. Is the Minister of State confident the establishment figure of 9,500 will be reached in the early part of 2019? My understanding is that establishment figure has not once been reached in recent years.

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