Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in keeping with likely requirements arising from extended overseas commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32232/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

The White Paper provides an overall strength figure of 10,500 for the Permanent Defence Force, all ranks. That figure comprehends provision for the allocation of up to 850 members of the Permanent Defence Force to overseas peace-keeping missions at any given time. The military authorities advise that there are some 730 members of the Permanent Defence Force currently serving overseas on such missions. I am satisfied that the current strength is adequate to meet all needs arising at home and overseas.

I intend 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. Recruitment is ongoing to the Reserve Defence Force. The Defence Forces continue to have a proactive approach to recruiting. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force on 30 September 2005 was as follows.