Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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413. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women throughout the army, navy and air corps has fluctuated during the embargo on recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12127/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces traditionally has a high turnover rate of personnel. As a result, the public service recruitment embargo had a limited impact on the Defence Force's recruitment processes. Cadet induction took place in all years since 2008 while General Service recruitment took place in all years except 2009. General Service recruitment into the Defence Forces is a continuous process with the aim of attaining the agreed strength level of 9,500.

Females make up 6.1% of the Permanent Defence Force strength. This figure has remained steady in recent years with the five year average also calculated at 6.1%. The Defence Forces' recruitment policy continues to target this demographic, with the aim of maximising female participation at all ranks within the Defence Forces.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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414. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is expected to increase the strength of the Defence Forces in the wake of the embargo on recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12128/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. Targeted recruitment has taken place so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel and to ensure the operational capacity of the Defence Forces.

As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed stabilised strength of 9,500, it is intended that targeted recruitment will continue in 2015, from the recruitment panels formed from the current General Service recruitment competition, launched in March 2014. It is planned that these panels will remain in place until they are exhausted. It is too early to say when this recruitment will commence, as this is dependent on the operational requirements of the Defence Forces and the budget allocation for Defence. An additional Naval Service recruitment campaign is underway for 2015.

With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, I intend 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.