Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of persons who joined the Defence Forces in each of the past five years and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24929/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The position in relation to recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force over the past five years and to date in 2010 is as follows:

*Subsequent to this 2007 intake 2 Apprentices withdrew resulting in an intake of 28 rather than the initial 30 as outlined in previous documentation.

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. In addition, the military authorities will shortly advertise for some limited recruitment to the Army.

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.