Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Smith. I may have a look at that. The point the Deputy makes is a fair one. We are seeing an increase, thankfully, in the number of people joining the Defence Forces. We want to see a greater increase in diversity within the Defence Forces, and most particularly in terms of female participation.

I am pleased to say that already a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Forces. This includes the establishment by the Defence Forces of a female-specific recruitment team which co-ordinates attendance of tri-service female-specific recruiting teams at national, regional and local events, attendance by male and female representatives at all recruitment events, and a gender perspective incorporated in all advertising. The appointment of a gender adviser at senior military rank in 2024 was an important development. There are fitness-test requirements tailored for females. The recruitment office is also actively reaching out to female applicants in the recruitment pipeline in order to support them throughout the application process should they need any further support or advice because we often see here, and in the Garda as well, a high number of people who apply but that does not always result in the same number of people coming in. There is a particular focus where we see an application from a female in terms of reaching out and saying, "You want to be in the Defence Forces. How can we work with you?"

I am pleased to say we also now have a Defence Forces women's network established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.

See this speech in context