Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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124. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is expected to maintain the strength of the Defence Forces throughout the Army, Navy and Air Corps having particular regard to retirement that may now become due on foot of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26332/14]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to a stabilised strength of 9,500 for the Permanent Defence Force. In the context of current strength numbers being below the agreed stabilised strength, a new General Service recruitment campaign for both the Permanent and the Reserve Defence Force was announced in March this year. The Defence Forces plan to induct up to 400 personnel to the Permanent Defence Force (both Army and Navy) and up to 500 personnel to the Reserve Defence Force (both Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve) in 2014. Additionally, a 2014 Cadetship Competition for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is underway. It is planned to award a total of 40 cadetships from this competition comprising of twenty (20) Army, nine (9) Air Corps and eleven (11) Naval Service. I envisage that further recruitment will take place in 2015 to take account particularly of retirements. 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.