Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to commence a recruitment campaign for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35611/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have on a number of occasions placed on the record in Dáil Éireann my view that the personnel strength of the Permanent Defence Force should be maintained at 9,500 to ensure that the Permanent Defence Force have the capabilities to meet both their international (UN/EU) and domestic obligations. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at the 31 October, 2011, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,393 which is the lowest number since the early 1970s. Given the particular circumstances of the Defence Forces it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.