Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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107. To ask the Minister for Defence the way the numerical strength of Ireland’s Permanent Defence Force compares, on a per capita basis, with other neutral European Union member states. [8391/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The 2011 census figures show a population of 4,588,252. As of the 31st of January, 2015 the whole-time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 9,244. This gives a per capitafigure of 1 member of the Permanent Defence Force for every 496 individuals in State.

My Department does not compile or maintain data in relation to the detailed composition of other armed forces and, as such, it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy.

While there is information available in the public domain and from the European Defence Agency on force strengths etc, the structures and arrangements in other countries can vary significantly from those that pertain within this State. For example, some States such as Austria operate a policy of conscription while others such as Sweden have contract soldiers. It is not clear from the available public data as to what the relevant comparator figures would be having regard to the varying structures applying in the other neutral European Union Member States and the fact that the Permanent Defence Force is a full-time professional armed force.