Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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995. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress to date in respect of proposed recruitment to the Defence Forces; the way in which each branch of the Defence Forces is likely to benefit from the recruitment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27449/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, 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 as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 July 2016, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,025, comprising 7,233 Army, 718 Air Corps and 1,074 Naval Service, whole time equivalent personnel. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. In line with HR policy there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force due to the requirement to maintain a lower age profile. T argeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels.

The current General Service recruitment campaign, which was launched on 13 April 2016, envisages an intake of approximately 600 General Services Recruits in 2016. The Military Authorities have advised that 282 General Service Recruits have been enlisted to date in 2016, with a further 320 recruits to be enlisted by year end. Plans have been put in place to continue this phased General Service recruitment in 2017, in a manner designed to reach the established strength figure.

In relation to the officer cadre, a total of 97 Cadetships were awarded following the 2016 competition, comprising of 68 Army, 2 Equitation School, 12 Air Corps and 15 Naval Service Cadetships. These Cadets commenced training this month in the Defence Forces Cadet School. This is the highest Cadet intake in the history of the State.

Direct Entry Competitions are also held as required from which specialist appointments are filled. An Air Corps Apprentice Aircraft Technician competition was launched on 9 August 2016, from which it is planned to enlist 25 Apprentice Aircraft Technicians . A Direct Entry competition is also ongoing to induct suitably qualified applicants as Officers in the Operations Branch, Marine Engineer Branch and Electrical Engineer Branch of the Naval Service.

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.