Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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2101. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel who joined the Permanent Defence Force in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, respectively; and the number of each of these yearly intakes who are still members of the Permanent Defence Force. [37619/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As of 25 August, 2017, the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

In general for enlisted personnel, the majority of those not still in service departed during the training phase. In relation to cadets, practically all of those no longer in service departed during training. 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. In 2017, the Defence Forces are targeting an increase in the level of recruitment across the range of recruitment streams. The 2017 Cadet Competition was launched on 22 March 2017. A total of 100 Cadet inductions are due to take place in September 2017. The Defence Forces also plan to induct new Apprentices shortly.

General service recruitment campaigns for both the Army and Naval Service were launched earlier this year. The competitions have now progressed and general service recruitment has commenced. It is also planned to launch another general service recruitment campaign later this month.