Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have previously acknowledged the staffing challenges in the Defence Forces, both in specialist and general roles, and a range of measures are being implemented to tackle these. In this regard, I recently launched the new Defence Forces recruitment rebrand, entitled Be More with the Irish Defence Forces.  By demonstrating the opportunities and skills a career in the Defence Forces offers, the new marketing strategy aligns the desire to continuously improve and learn new skills with ensuring long-term career advancement.

The Defence Forces continue to engage with the education sector through career talks in schools, regularly participating in virtual career discussions through career guidance websites and hosting question-and-answer sessions on social media channels with the desired demographic. Transition year students can avail of placements within the Defence Forces to undertake various programmes demonstrating career opportunities. This also serves to raise awareness of the requirements of a career in the military.

In addition, recruitment teams frequently attend recruitment and career fairs and events to promote career opportunities within each branch of the organisation. To date in 2022, the teams have attended 22 such events.  The attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces is emphasised at such events, including the opportunity for continuous upskilling and to avail of third level education. A recently developed infographic on the benefits of a career in the Defence Forces also highlights this point.

The Defence Forces have also engaged a marketing and media partner to assist with recruitment advertising to ensure engagement with the recruitment demographic across social media and other platforms is as good as it can be. Advertisements for specialist recruitment by direct entry are placed in industry-specific publications and websites. In recent years, the scope for direct entry has expanded and a total of 12 direct-entry competitions are being utilised in 2022.

My focus is on restoring all branches of the Defence Forces to full strength, facilitated by ongoing staffing initiatives and the promotion of careers within the organisation. Furthermore, consideration of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces is ongoing.  I intend to revert shortly to the Government with a proposed response to the recommendations and a high-level action plan that will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation. There is a lot going on but I suspect there is a lot more to come in the months ahead. Figures in respect of staffing are available at .

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