Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

30. 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 following retirements now and over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10725/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

WTE - Whole Time Equivalent

* - Effective Personnel

The 2015 White Paper on Defence commits to maintaining the strength of the PDF at 9,500 personnel. I can confirm that recruitment to the PDF will take place in 2018. Plans for this are currently being finalised. Recruitment in 2018 will be for General Service Recruits, Cadets, Apprentices and Direct Entry Officers.  At this point it is not possible to predict precise numbers that will be recruited, but it is anticipated that this will be in the region of 800 PDF personnel.  It is also planned to launch a General Service Recruitment campaign for the Reserve Defence Force in April / May 2018.

With the support of the Chief of Staff I am committed to ensuring that there is on-going recruitment to the  Defence Forces and that the Permanent Defence Force can continue to operate effectively across all roles assigned by Government, both at home and overseas.