Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals to increase the strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corp; the extent and the levels of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38415/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he proposes to increase the officer corps and strength of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38420/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 250 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. The Defence Forces continue to have a proactive approach to all aspects of recruiting.

The strength of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, as advised by the military authorities as on 30 October, 2005 is as follows: