David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of any forthcoming recruitment campaigns for the Permanent Defence Forces in 2010; when they will occur; the numbers he is seeking to recruit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12166/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of Budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 January, 2010 was 9,906 comprising 8,070 Army, 805 Air Corps and 1,031 Naval Service personnel.

As the numbers in the Permanent Defence Force have dropped below 10,000, recruitment will be carried out in 2010 in order to bring the numbers back to this level. Details of the recruitment campaign for 2010 in relation to the numbers of general service recruits and the commencement of any such recruitment campaigns are not yet available. Planning for this process is underway. I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies. I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas.