Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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31. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Defence Forces continues to be maintained and-or increased; the degree to which gender balance continues to be observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43237/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 30 September 2014, the latest date for which figures are available, is 9,200 of which 556 (6.04%) are female. The effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) for the same date is 2,383, of which 361 (15.15%) are female. The table contains the above mentioned strengths. The establishment ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force is 9,500. The establishment ceiling of the Reserve Defence Force is 4,069. Recruitment campaigns are under way in order to reach this establishment. Current and future recruitment campaigns have sought to target potential female candidates however the number of females serving in the Defence Forces has remained similar since 2007.

As I outlined in my reply to Question Number 124 of 18 September 2014, 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. A number of specific initiatives have been implemented to increase female participation in the Defence Forces including:

- The introduction of best practices in recruitment, such as the adjustment of physical standards for female applicants,

- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment,

- A balanced composition between men and women on recruitment and selection boards,

- All promotions and career courses are open to both sexes on merit,

- A Gender Advisor has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces.

The Defence Forces prides itself on providing a gender neutral working environment. Policies on equality are being constantly communicated to all ranks. The Military Authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing this matter in a continuing and proactive manner when it arises. However, a key impediment in achieving the target gender balance is the lack of female applicants relative to males.

I believe that there is a need to continue to develop and promote strategies that support increased female participation in the Defence Forces. To this end, as part of the recent recruitment campaign for enlisted personnel and the Reserve, specific efforts were made to increase the number of female applicants. These efforts included school visits, media engagement including national and local radio, targeting sports clubs and the use of social media. At the closing date for this recruitment campaign on 9 April 2014 there were 755 Female applicants or 10.3% out of a total of 7,295 applicants for the Permanent Defence Force and 320 female applicants or 14.9% out of a total of 2,146 applicants for the Reserve Defence Force. On the face of it these figures appear to be disappointing. However, I believe that a key issue in recruiting and retaining female personnel lies in societal perception and attitudes to female soldiers and officers. I am hopeful that through continued engagement and communication, this perception will change over time.