Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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853. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women currently serving in the Defence Forces; the numbers who have been promoted over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32988/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The current strength, as of 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are available, of females in the Defence Forces is 568 (Whole Time Equivalents). This represents 6.2% of the total strength of the Defence Forces. Of these, a total of 131 are commissioned officers.

I am advised that in the past five years, there has been 247 instances of promotion amongst female members of the Defence Forces. This figure is inclusive of 148 promotions amongst female Commissioned Officers and 99 promotions amongst female enlisted personnel since 2012.