Written answers

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Strength

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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142. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he expects retirement to affect the numbers in the Defence Forces in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53325/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the military authorities that between 1 January 2013 and 31 October 2013, the latest date for which figures are available, 362 personnel left the Permanent Defence Force. Taking these departures into account, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 October 2013 stood at 9,222. As the Deputy will be aware the Government has agreed a stabilised strength of 9,500 for the Permanent Defence Force. In the context of current strength numbers being below the agreed stabilised strength.

General Service recruitment recommenced in September 2013 from the existing competition panels. As of 2 December, there has been an intake of 360 recruits from these panels. In addition, 9 Engine Room Artificers for the Naval Service have recently been recruited while the induction of up to 8 Apprentices for the Air Corps is in the process of being completed. It is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence and in this regard it is planned to run a new General Service recruitment competition in the first half of 2014. 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.

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