Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number and rank recruited to the Defence Forces in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of projected recruits in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15959/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The table below sets out the information requested by the Deputy for the period 2015 to 2017:

In 2018, as of the 11th April, 71 personnel across all ranks, have been inducted into the Defence Forces (43 General Service Army, 25 General Service Navy, 2 Direct Entry Medical Officers and 1 Direct Entry Naval Officer).

Planned recruitment levels for 2018 will be similar to 2017 and currently there are significant recruitment opportunities available in the Defence Forces, at both enlisted and officer level, for any candidate who wishes to have a rewarding and positive military career in service to the State. These comprise of:

- Air Corps Apprentice Competition launched on 3 March 2018

- The first General Service Recruitment campaign of the year launched on 26 March 2018

- The 2018 Officer Cadetships competition launched on 1st April 2018

- The Naval Service is currently recruiting Direct Entry Officers for Bridge Watch-keeping, Marine Engineering and Electrical Engineering roles.

- The Defence Forces are also accepting applications from qualified doctors for careers in the Medical Corps.

With regard to recruitment post-2018, the manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with operational requirements of each of the three services. As stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence, continuous recruitment is the lifeblood of the Defence Forces providing young, motivated and enthusiastic personnel to replenish military formations for operational deployments.