Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Defence the strength of the Naval Service by rank and gender; the degree to which this has fluctuated in each of the past three years to date in 2010; the future plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30756/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The strength of the Naval Service by rank and gender as at 31 May 2010, the latest date for which figures are available, and for the previous three years is provided in the tabular statements. While the number of female personnel has remained constant over this period, the overall strength of the Naval Service has decreased by 59 personnel or just under 5.5%.

Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force. Government approval was secured in the context of Budget 2010 for a level of 10,000 all ranks. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

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 to 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.

Naval Service as at 31 May 2010

Naval Service as at 31 December 2009

Naval Service as at 31 December 2008

Naval Service as at 31 December 2007