Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the strength of the Army, Navy or Air Corps in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36434/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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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. In common with other areas of the public service a payroll cut of 3% has been applied to the Defence Forces for 2009. Recruitment to the Defence Forces will be rescheduled in order to meet the revised allocation.