Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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74. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Air Corps; if numbers have increased in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9722/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Naval Service; if numbers have increased in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9723/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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76. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Army; if numbers have increased in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9724/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 to 76, inclusive, together.

As of the 31^stJanuary 2019, the latest figures available, the whole time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 8,921 personnel, broken down as follows:

- Army:7,215 personnel

- Air Corps: 722 personnel

- Naval Service:984 personnel

The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment to increase the strength of the Permanent Defence Force to the establishment level of 9,500 personnel.

In order to achieve this target, the recruitment plan proposed by the Permanent Defence Force envisages some 800 new entrants being inducted in 2019, comprising of General Service Recruits, Apprentices, Cadets and Direct Entry Officers.

The ensuing net change in strength will be dependent on a variety of factors including the number of trained personnel that depart, the achievement of recruitment targets and the number of trainees that successfully complete training, all of which can vary year on year.

The Government is committed to maximising recruitment and so retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles