Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy asked for the figure and I have given it in my reply. We are, of course, conscious of a recruitment and retention issue within the Defence Forces. I identified a long list of measures we have taken to improve allowances and improve the situation overall for members of our Defence Forces in order to attract new members and encourage retention. There are issues around recruitment processes, which is why we have enlisted and taken on board external advice. A significant number of people apply to join the Defence Forces in any given year, including thousands this year. Some 1,213 candidates applied for 60 cadet competition places, for example. At the officer ranks level, current strength will be more than maintained. We need to look at the rate of conversion from application to recruitment. There are issues apart altogether from the allowances issue, which I am pursuing with our military leadership and the Department of Defence.

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