Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Defence the recruitment that has taken place for the Army in 2011; and the future recruitment that is due to take place. [4210/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Military Authorities that a total of 494 general service recruits have completed or are currently in training following recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force in 2011. In addition, there was an intake of 32 Cadets from the 2011 Cadetship competition. The Government has decided to accept my recommendation that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500. I believe that this is the optimum level required to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. It is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue in 2012, within the resource envelope allocated to Defence, so as to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force.