Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Defence if it is intended to increase the strength of the permanent Defence Forces having particular regard to current and potential commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2980/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Defence the optimum strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3276/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Defence if the strength of the Defence Forces is sufficient in view of expected deployments overseas. [3278/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 275 and 277 together.

The White Paper on Defence of 2000 provides for a Permanent Defence Force strength of 10,500 comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 December, 2006 was 10,479 comprising 865 for the Air Corps, 1,082 for the Naval Service and 8,532 for the Army.

The Permanent Defence Force manages recruit intakes so as to keep its annualised monthly average strength at or around 10,500. 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. 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 were 812 PDF personnel deployed on overseas operations at 31 December, 2006. I am satisfied that the current strength is adequate to meet all needs arising at home and overseas.