Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Defence Forces, whole-time equivalents, across all services and ranks, on 28 February was 8,857, comprising 7,167 Army personnel, 716 Air Corps personnel and 974 Naval Service personnel. The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining, the agreed strength of the Defence Forces at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on defence in 2015. In 2018, 612 personnel were inducted into the Defence Forces, encompassing general service recruits, cadets, apprentices and instrumentalists, with other intakes from direct entry streams. In addition, 15 members of the Defence Forces were awarded cadetships in 2018. The recruitment plan proposed by the Defence Forces envisages some 800 new entrants being inducted in 2019, comprising general service recruits, apprentices, cadets and direct entry officers.

The 2019 recruitment campaign commenced with a Naval Service general service recruitment competition. It closed on 21 January and attracted 969 applications. In addition, I launched a general service recruitment competition on 12 March in the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow. The competition for general service recruits will remain open throughout the year to maximise the training capacity of the Defence Forces. This will give applicants more opportunities to apply. The military authorities have advised that targeted media campaigns using social and traditional media, cinema and print, will continue to form important elements of their recruitment drive. A variety of recruitment initiatives will also be undertaken throughout the year, including outreach events at local and national level. There are retention challenges with some specialist posts such as pilots, air traffic controllers and certain technicians. I have previously acknowledged this fact, which reflects current economic circumstances and the attractive job opportunities available in the private and commercial semi-State sectors.

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