Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength by rank of the Air Corps; the way in which this figure compares with that of ten years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6937/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength by rank of the Naval Service; the way in which this figure compares with that of ten years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6938/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength by rank of the Army; the way in which this figure compares with that of ten years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6941/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 395 to 397, inclusive, together.

The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force will continue to maintain the strength at the level set out in the White Paper as required to meet military needs. There were 258 recent recruits undergoing training on 1 January 2005.

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force, comprising the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, as of 1 January 1995 and 1 January 2005, was as follows: