Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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10. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Defence Forces throughout the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps continues to be augmented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16924/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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In this question I seek to ascertain the extent to which critical strength levels continue to be maintained in each branch of the Defence Forces, the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his brevity. He is always great in that regard.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Has he examined specific measures which might be complementary to encourage enlistment in the Air Corps and the Naval Service, given that numbers are lower in these branches? There is a special need to maintain strength in these two critical services in case of emergency or there is a need for surveillance measures in the future.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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There is ongoing recruitment, which is important. The Minister, the Department of Defence and I came up with that initiative. When I first entered the Department, there was only one opportunity to engage in recruitment at the start of the year. We then expanded that number to two. It is important, however, that a person can go online at any stage to apply to enlist in the Air Corps, the Naval Service or the Army. I will also be launching a cadet recruitment campaign next week. If the Deputy or any other Deputy has specific ideas for measures that might be taken to encourage recruitment or promotion, he or she should let me know. There are good career, training and educational opportunities in the Defence Forces for any young person.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I suggest research be undertaken among the general public and existing members of the Defence Forces as the results might indicate practical measures that could be taken. Those who have been in the Defence Forces might be able to shed some light on the most appropriate measures to take to augment the strength of the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps. Maintaining strength in the Naval Service and the Air Corps is a particular concern.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I have recently initiated a review of recruitment to the Defence Forces. We have to examine many lessons which have been learned to see what we can do better to improve recruitment, including advertising. We also have to look at the current recruitment process. We brought in an independent chairperson to look at the conciliation and arbitration scheme within the Defence Forces.

I can bring in an independent person who will be able to talk to the people about whom the Deputy spoke - former members of the Defence Forces - about why they joined the Defence Forces and why any young person would want to join the Defence Forces. It is important that we look at all these areas, which is why I want to initiate this review of the recruitment process in order that we look at our practices and the way we do things. I envisage that there will be an input from all people involved in the defence sector.