Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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851. To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces will be taking on additional recruits in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46322/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 September 2013, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,188 comprising 7,379 Army, 784 Air Corps and 1,025 Naval Service personnel. These figures do not include 80 members of the PDF who are currently on career breaks or on leave of absence. As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed stabilised strength of 9,500, it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. To this end, general service recruitment recommenced in September 2013, from the existing competition panels, from which it is expected there will be an intake of approximately 400 recruits. In addition 20 Apprentices for the Air Corps and 15 Engine Room Artificers for the Naval Service are due to be recruited from current competitions. It is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue in 2014, within the resource envelope allocated to Defence, in order to maintain the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force.With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, it is intended to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.