Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1464. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for specific measures to increase female participation in the Defence Forces over the next three years; and if these plans include introducing a gender quota system. [19544/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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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. This is underlined by a commitment in the programme for Government to increase the level of female participation in the Defence Forces. A number of specific initiatives have been implemented to increase female participation in the Defence Forces including:

- The Defence Forces have visited many female schools to promote a career in the Defence Forces to women.

- The Defence Forces have targeted female sports clubs to heighten awareness of the opportunities for women in the Defence Forces.

- Female websites have been targeted as part of the recruitment campaigns.

-Special consideration is paid to women asa target group for recruitment.

- There is a representative composition between men and women on recruitment and selection boards.

-A Gender Advisor operates to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces.

The 2016 General Service Campaign specifically targeted female applications through a number of new initiatives including the use of a campaign video which was shown across all social media platforms and in cinemas. Additionally, all female candidates were invited to their local barracks for a female fitness and information evening.

Some 680 (or 15%) of the applications received during the 2016 General Service Campaign were from females. A total of 47 females were inducted into the Defence Forces in 2016, representing 6.81% of the overall intake. These initiatives will continue for 2017. Unlike some other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions with regard to the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. Women, therefore, play a full and meaningful role in all aspects of Defence Forces operations at home and overseas.

Notwithstanding these recent proactive initiatives, I believe that there is a need to continue to develop and promote strategies over the life span of the White Paper that support increased female participation in the Defence Forces. Specific White Paper projects in this area include:

- Developing further initiatives to encourage more women to apply for the Defence Forces and to increase female participation at all ranks.

- Conducting a survey to identify any impediments to the advancement of women in the PDF.

- Developing and actively managing a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy in the Defence Forces, building on existing policies in relation to ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and equality.

- Reviewing operational requirements, overseas postings, training courses, career courses and the availability of development opportunities, to ensure that they do not discriminate on the basis of gender or familial responsibility, while retaining the integrity of the course and training requirement.