Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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310. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women currently serving in the Defence Forces; the number that have been promoted over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7757/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The current strength of Females serving in the Defence Forces is 571 personnel (Whole Time Equivalent figure at end January 2017). This represents 6.2% of the total strength of the Defence Forces. Of these, 127 are Commissioned Officers.

In the past 5 years there have been 207 instances of promotion amongst Female members of the Defence Forces. Since 2012, the number of Female Commissioned Officers promoted to a higher rank was 121 and there were a total of 86 promotions amongst Female enlisted personnel.

The Defence Forces have no restrictions with regard to 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.