Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1341. 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. [13807/17]

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 28 February 2017, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,070. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force, recruitment continues to take place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. An ambitious recruitment campaign has been launched recently targeting an intake of 860 personnel this year, including general service recruits, apprentices and cadets, across all three services. The following tables set out below, indicate the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 28 February 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