Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Defence the total membership of the Defence Forces, broken down by rank, and the numbers in each case who are female; the plans he has to encourage the recruitment of a greater number of women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27728/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has plans to increase the strength of the Defence Forces at Army, Navy or Air-Corps levels in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27984/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which the number of women members of the Defence Forces has increased in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27985/07]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 163 and 164 together.

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force on 30 September 2007, the latest date for which detailed figures are available, as advised by the military authorities was 10,361. This comprises 8,444 in the Army, 849 in the Air Corps and 1,068 in the Naval Service. A detailed breakdown of the numbers in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps by rank and gender are in the form of a Tabular Statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 set out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, as the strength sufficient to meet all foreseeable military requirements for the period comprehended by the White Paper (i.e. up to 2010). This remains the position. It is intended to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. This recruitment will continue to maintain the strength at the level set out in the White Paper.

To facilitate the Defence Forces in maintaining a strength of 10,500 the agreed Programme for Government provides for an additional provision of up to 350 troops to be in training, at any given time. The military authorities and the Department are considering the planning and resources necessary to meet this provision.

The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Female strength in the Permanent Defence Force has increased from 468 at the end of 2001 to 558 at the end of September 2007. In percentage of overall strength, this equates with a rise from 4.38% to 5.39% in the same period. A detailed breakdown of the numbers of females serving in the Permanent Defence Force, at year end over the last six years, is presented in the form of a Tabular Statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. All promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit.

Nevertheless, the Minister remains anxious to explore all avenues for increasing the numbers of women joining the Defence Forces.

In 2006, the Minister reduced the minimum height requirement from 5' 4" to 5' 2". This increases the potential recruitment pool of females from 60% to 90% of female population.

Earlier this year, the Minister received the report of a TNS/MRBI study that he had commissioned, titled "Retention and Recruitment of Women in The Defence Forces". This research was commissioned with a view to identifying areas where action can be taken to maximise the number of women applicants to the Defence Forces, hence increasing the number joining. The question of retention was also studied.

The results of the research were, on balance, positive. Three-quarters of serving females agreed that the Defence Forces are a good place to work. In addition there was a very high level of satisfaction (70% — 80%) expressed as regards the issues of job security, pay and benefits and the variety of work on offer.

The report is currently under active consideration within the Department and the challenges identified therein continue to be addressed.