David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Defence the establishment and strength of the Defence Forces; when the next recruitment campaign will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25995/08]

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. On 31 May 2008, the most recent date for which figures are available, the actual total strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 10,364. The Government remains fully committed to the policy of ongoing recruitment to ensure that an overall strength of 10,500 is achieved and maintained over time. The recruitment effort will be supported by an advertising campaign.