Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Defence the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 1 May 2006, including recruits in training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17108/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on increasing the strength of the Defence Forces in accordance with requirements arising from future overseas assignments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17421/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 474 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 White Paper on Defence provides for an allocation of up to 850 Permanent Defence Force personnel to be deployed overseas at any one time through the United Nations Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS). While this may be exceeded for short periods, deployments above this level are not sustainable on an ongoing basis within existing resources. Any commitments to EU or UN missions will be met within this context. There are no plans to increase the numbers serving in the Defence Forces above the levels provided for in the White Paper.

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force including recruits, as on 31 March 2006, the latest date for which figures are available, as advised by the military authorities, is as follows: