David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 11 March 2010, the further progress which has been made in relation to a recruitment campaign for the Permanent Defence Forces in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23539/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force 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 30 April 2010 was 9,856 comprising 8,036 Army, 797 Air Corps and 1,023 Naval Service personnel.

Targeted recruitment will be carried out in 2010 to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces. In this regard, I have recently approved the recruitment of 40 Recruits for the Naval Service.

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.