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

54. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the average membership of the Defences Forces in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the extent to which it has been maintained or fluctuated in the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38907/19]

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

The table below details the year end strength for the Permanent Defence Force during that period 2014 to 2018.

I am very much aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment I remain committed to maximising recruitment capacity and introducing measures to return to, and maintain, the agreed strength of 9,500.

The recent report of the Public Service Pay Commission on recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces made a series of recommendations with a view to addressing the current recruitment and retention issues and these are being progressed through a detailed implementation plan. This work is being prioritised.