Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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347. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the most up to date figures for the strength of the Permanent Defence Force with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34297/16]

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 30 September 2016, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,044. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment continues to take place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. The current General Service recruitment campaign commenced in April 2016.

The following tabular statements indicate the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 30^thSeptember 2016 across all three services and ranks, broken down by gender. The figures provided are for whole time equivalent posts.

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.

Army

Air Corps

Naval Service