Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of females at all ranks now serving throughout the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34023/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The strength (whole time equivalent) of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,044. This comprises 7,247 Army, 718 Air Corps and 1,079 Naval Service. Of this figure, 551 personnel (6.1%) are women. The following tables contain the above mentioned strengths broken down into Army, Naval Service and Air Corps by gender and rank groupings.

The establishment ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force is 9,500. Recruitment campaigns are under way in order to reach this establishment. Current and previous recruitment campaigns have sought to target potential female candidates.

As has been outlined in previous replies to Parliamentary Questions, 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 communicated to all ranks on an ongoing basis. 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, in all recruitment campaigns for enlisted personnel and the Reserve, specific efforts are made to increase the number of female applicants. These efforts include visits to schools, media engagement including national and local radio, targeting sports clubs and the use of social media. 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.