Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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58. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which optimum strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps continues to be achieved; the number of personnel who retired in the past 12 months; the extent of any recruitment likely or required in the short and medium term as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7347/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As of the 31 December, 2016 the strength of the PDF (whole-time equivalent) was 9,126 personnel, comprising:

- Army: 7,332 personnel,

- Naval Service: 1,090 personnel and

- Air Corps: 704 personnel.

There were 654 retirements from the Defence Forces in 2016 and 690 new entrants were inducted (590 General Service and 100 Cadets).

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.

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. Personnel are posted on the basis of operational needs across the organisation both at home and abroad. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment takes place so as to maintain personnel numbers at or near the agreed strength levels.

All efforts are currently being directed at recruitment in order to return the Defence Forces to their approved establishment. Regular competitions are held for recruitment of enlisted personnel, cadets and other staff.

In that regard, General Service Competitions and Cadetship Competitions will be launched in Q1 of this year. I am advised by the military authorities that their planned target is to induct approximately 900 new entrants to the Defence Forces across all services and competition streams in 2017.