Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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1737. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the lack of success in addressing the reduced numbers in the Defence Forces, even after his own Department's recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35504/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to maintaining a strength level of 9,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force. This comprises 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with operational requirements. 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.I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces are planning to increase the level of recruitment in 2017 and a number of competitions are currently underway in this regard.

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. The total number of General Service Inductions for 2017 to date is 248, of which 200 have been enlisted in the Army, 29 in the Navy, 11 Air Corp apprentices and 8 Direct Entry Naval Service Officers.

The 2017 Cadet Competition was launched on 22 March 2017. In total there were 3,466 applicants for all 7 competitions which are; Army Cadet, Army Engineer Cadet, Army Equitation Cadet, Air Corps Pilot Cadet, Naval Service Operations Cadet, Naval Service Marine Engineer Cadet and Naval Service Electrical Engineer Cadet. A total of 100 Cadet inductions are planned to take place in September 2017. General Service Recruitment Campaigns for both the Army and Naval Service were launched on 23 February 2017. In total there were 5, 210 applicants for these competitions. Approximately 480 inductions are planned during the remainder of 2017commencing in September/October 2017.

There are plans to launch another Air Corps Trainee Military Aircraft Technician Competition shortly and induct up to 25 Apprentices before the end of 2017.

With the support of the Chief of Staff, it is intended to continue to recruit new personnel in order to ensure that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and overseas.