Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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9. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the targeted admission of new recruits for 2020 and 2021 to the Defence Forces. [10084/20]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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While there have been 46 inductions to date in 2020, the capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train recruits has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation as it resulted in the postponement of the majority of inductions in the first quarter of 2020.

The net effect of this postponement in recruitment activities is unclear at this time but the Defence Forces remain committed to optimising the number of personnel inducted during 2020. In that context, the military authorities have advised that they are currently finalising plans to re-commence collective training and recruitment, taking public health guidelines into account.

The results of this recruitment plan in 2020 will inform targets for 2021.