Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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130. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of personnel at all ranks, male and female, who have retired from the Defence Forces in each of the past four years to date; the extent to which this has affected the overall strength of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47393/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The tables contain the number of personnel who left the Permanent Defence Force and the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, for each of the years 2010 to 2012 and to the 30th of September 2013, the latest date for which figures are available. It was not possible in the time available to provide a detailed breakdown showing the ranks of personnel who left. I will provide this information direct to the Deputy once it becomes available. 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.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2010-2012 include personnel who were on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. The September 2013 strength figures have been calculated on the basis of actual numbers serving on that date, excluding those members who are on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. All future strength figures will be calculated on this basis.

Total Discharges/Retirements from the Permanent Defence Force

Total Strength Figures for the Permanent Defence Force

-	MALE	FEMALE	TOTAL
2010	8981	569	9550
2011	8873	565	9438
2012	8777	582	9359
2013 (30 September)	8628	560	9188