Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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297. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces including Reserves, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the number of women in each branch of the services; the likelihood of recruitment and replacements following retirements in 2017 and over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23441/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The table sets out the strength of the Defence Forces, as of 31 March, 2017 (the latest date for which figures are available), as requested by the Deputy.

The Government is committed to maintaining the establishment 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.

On an ongoing basis, the manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As there is significant turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Force targeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. As with other areas of the public service, challenges have arisen in relation to the recruitment and retention of personnel in particular areas of expertise. I am advised by the Military Authorities that a total of 590 General Service Recruits were enlisted into the Permanent Defence Force in 2016, of which 501 Recruits were enlisted in the Army and 89 Recruits were enlisted in the Naval Service. In addition, 100 Cadetships were awarded following the 2016 Cadetship Competitions.

I am advised by the military authorities that their planned target is to induct approximately 850 new entrants to the Defence Forces across all services and competition streams in 2017.

A new General Service Recruitment campaign was launched on 23 February 2017 and the 2017 Cadetship competition was launched in March 2017. Direct Entry Competitions are also held as required from which specialist appointments are filled. An Air Corps apprentice class was also inducted in March 2017.

Promotions are ongoing within Officer ranks in order to fill rank vacancies. A new NCO promotions competition to fill vacancies to the ranks of Sergeants and above has been launched from which promotions will commence in Q3 2017.

I remain committed to increasing recruitment to the Defence Forces and it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue to be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to Defence and in the context of the policy and strategy regarding recruitment set out in the White Paper on Defence.