Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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77. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the numbers to date serving in the Permanent Defence Forces; the expected recruitment level in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52974/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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From the most recent figures available (as of 31 October 2017), the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 9,219 whole time equivalent (WTE) personnel, broken down as follows: - Army: 7,417

- Air Corps: 744

- Naval Service: 1,058

While I acknowledge there a gap between these figures and the establishment figure of 9,500, the Government remains dedicated to returning to, and maintaining the establishment strength of the Permanent Defence Force.

To achieve this, significant targeted recruitment has taken place in 2017 which resulted, to date, in 702 personnel being inducted comprising of General Service Recruits, Cadets and specialists for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. This figure is expected to reach approximately 800 by the end of 2017.

Particular challenges do exist in recruiting and retaining certain specialist posts such as Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers and certain Technicians. These specialists can prove difficult to retain where, as in the current economic circumstances, there are ongoing private sector and commercial semi-state sector job opportunities. I understand that the retention of such specialists has proved challenging for many military forces internationally and it is not unique to Ireland.

Therefore the range of recruitment methods employed to increase personnel numbers towards the establishment strength include direct entry competitions for specialist positions and the scope to further expand direct entry is being considered. I have directed civil and military management to develop proposals for expanding direct entry recruitment of specialists and a scheme to facilitate former PDF personnel with appropriate skill sets to re-enter the Defence Forces.

With the support of the Chief of Staff, the focus is on ensuring that the Defence Forces are staffed in manner that will enable them to continue to deliver the services required of them by Government. Accordingly, I can confirm that further recruitment will take place in 2018 and plans for this are currently being finalised between civil and military management. Such recruitment will encompass general service recruits, cadets and specialists.