Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Defence the present strength of the Defence Forces, broken down by Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the anticipated figure for twelve months from now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38096/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to maintain and develop the strength of the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38402/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to maintain and increase the strength of naval service over the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38403/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Defence his priorities for the development of the Defence Forces over the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38404/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 226, 227 and 228 together.

I am advised by the Military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 30 September, 2010, the latest date for which figures are currently available, was 9,625 comprising 7,845 Army, 776 Air Corps and 1,004 Naval Service personnel. 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.

While agreement had been reached with the Department of Finance on the Employment Control Framework (ECF) for the Defence Forces the official confirmation and details of it were only received this week. The ECF is based on a figure of 10,000 all ranks Permanent Defence Force personnel, appropriately configured across the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps to enable them to meet the roles assigned by Government.

Targeted recruitment is being carried out in 2010 in order to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces. In this regard I have approved the recruitment of 40 recruits to the Naval Service. The recruitment process is nearing completion and it is intended that the successful candidates will be inducted into the Naval Service in December 2010.

In addition, the Military authorities are currently in the process of recruiting to the Army. A platoon will be enlisted to the Eastern Brigade and to the Southern Brigade by the end of the year. The recruitment process to enlist a platoon to the Western Brigade and to the Defence Forces Training Centre, The Curragh, is scheduled to follow on early in 2011.

I also secured Government approval for a Cadetship Competition in 2010. This recruitment process is also nearing completion. A total of 30 Cadets will be enlisted to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps on 1 December 2010.

While it is not possible to anticipate strength figures for 2011 and beyond, I can confirm that with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, I intend 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 both at home and overseas.