Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Air Corps at all ranks has fluctuated in each of the past five years to date; the way he sees the future strength of the force developing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5978/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The attached table contains the strength, of the Air Corps by rank for each of the years 2009 to 2013. I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2009 - 2012 include personnel who were on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. The 31 December 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. Recruitment of personnel to the Air Corps is determined in line with the operational requirements of the service. It is my intention that targeted recruitment to the Air Corps will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.

Strength of the Defence Forces