Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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580. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of females in each rank in the Navy, Air Corps and the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22396/14]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. While progress has been made by the Military Authorities in addressing gaps between male and female participation in the Defence Forces, it is recognised that more work needs to be done to meet the gender target for recruitment of females of 20% which was set by the Military Authorities in 2007.

In this context, as part of the recently announced recruitment campaign for enlisted personnel and the Reserve, specific efforts are being made to increase the number of female applicants as part of a wider campaign aimed at improving gender and ethnic representation and diversity in the Defence Forces. In the case of female participation, these efforts include school visits, media engagement including national and local radio, targeting sports clubs and use of social media.

As at 30 April 2014, the latest date for which figures are available there were 555 women out of a total strength of 9,110 serving in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). This represents 6.1% of the overall strength of the Defence Forces.

The tables show the number of women serving in each branch of the Permanent Defence Force by rank at 30 April 2014.