Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Defence when he proposes to arrange further recruitment to the Defence Forces. [10388/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force was suspended in late 2008 pending a review of the best means by which to achieve the reduction of 3% in payroll costs that had been applied, in common with other areas of the public service, to the Defence Forces. The present position is that, within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Defence Forces. To this end, targeted recruitment was carried out in 2010 and is continuing in 2011. To date the following General Service induction has taken place in 2011:

In addition there will be an intake of 42 recruits into the Naval Service in the near future and an intake of 30 cadets from the Cadetship Competition in 2011. A number of technical appointments will also be filled.

With the support of the Chief of Staff, and within the available resources, I intend to retain the capacity of the Defence 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.