Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps he will take to address the low number of female personnel in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16900/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The number of women serving in the Permanent Defence Force at 31st May 2016 was 546 , which represented 6% of the overall strength of the PDF at that date.

The number of women serving in the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve on the same date was 285 (effective), which represents 13% of the effective strength at that date.

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.

The Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties and all promotions and career courses are open to both sexes on merit.

A key impediment in achieving greater numbers of women serving in the Defence Forces is the lack of women recruitment applicants relative to men. This may be as a result of societal perception and attitudes to female soldiers and officers. There have been a number of recent initiatives to encourage greater female participation. This has included social media campaigns, advertising targeted at women, and school visits and career exhibitions.

Over the course of the White Paper, further initiatives will be developed to encourage more women to apply for the Defence Forces and to increase female participation at all ranks. This will include a survey to identify any impediments to the advancement of women in the PDF, including the impact of the requirements of career courses and overseas service on female retention and advancement.