Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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170. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of each branch of the Defence Forces throughout the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29534/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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173. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which recruits are attracted to the Air Corps; if issues have become obvious which might deter recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29537/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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175. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total strength in each branch of the Defence Forces at present; the extent to which membership of the Army, Navy Service and Air Corps has fluctuated in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29539/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 173 and 175 together.

As of the 30th August 2020, the latest date for which such data is available, the current strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 8,374 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) personnel, comprised of 6,763 Army personnel, 716 Air Corps personnel and 895 Naval Service personnel.

The following table shows the equivalent data for years 2010-2019: -I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2010-2012 include personnel who were on secondment to other organisations or on career breaks. The strength figures for 2013 onwards are calculated net of those personnel.

The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).

While the Covid 19 situation did impact on the capacity of the Defence Forces to induct and train personnel, all recruitment activities have now resumed, taking public health guidelines into account. As at 30th September, the 2020 recruitment plan had resulted 8,227 applications and some 1,300 of those were for the Air Corps.

To date, 340 personnel have been inducted in 2020 and, in respect of the Air Corp, this includes 8 Air Corps cadets, 19 Air Corps Apprentices, 3 re-commissioned officers and 5 re-enlisted personnel.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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171. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which adequate trained members of the Defence Forces are available for the various duties required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29535/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Organisation provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role while it also undertakes a diverse range of non security related tasks. The Defence Forces continue to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including security operations, critical supports to An Garda Síochána and ATCA supports to other Government Departments and Agencies. In particular, the Defence Forces are playing an active and important role in the Covid 19 response, providing a broad range of supports to the HSE.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.

At National level, representation on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning by both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, ensures the fullest coordination and cooperation in the event of an emergency.

In accordance with the Framework for Major Emergency Management, primary responsibility for responding to emergencies such as severe weather events or terrorist attacks rests with the three designated principal response agencies, namely, the relevant Local Authority, An Garda Síochána, and the Health Service Executive. The Defence Forces provides assistance within means to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or an emergency situation in its Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) and Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) roles. Major Emergency Plans have been developed by local and regional authorities and these Plans identify the procedures for requesting assistance from the Defence Forces.

In respect of terrorism, responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. In that regard, among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2015) is the provision of ATCP which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. There is on-going and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including ATCP deployments and includes military training activities are specifically designed to respond to possible security emergencies. Regular coordination and liaison meetings also take place between the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána in relation to ATCP issues

I also wish to assure you that the Defence Forces retain a wide range of specialist skills and equipment which are available for deployment in response to any emergencies that may arise. The Operations Directorate in Defence Forces Headquarters manages the necessary cross-service coordination in responding to requests for support. These arrangements have proved effective in all emergencies encountered to date.

With regard to training, the primary function of training and education in the Defence Forces is to maintain and develop the necessary capabilities. The Defence Forces deliver military training programmes and modules meeting national and international standards. They also engage with external educational institutions in order to facilitate organisational learning. This engagement with national and international educational institutions, military and civilian, aims to ensure that the Defence Forces retain currency with regards to best international practice and employ all relevant modern training methods.

Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection. Pre-deployment training is provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force and is updated in the light of increased threat.

I am committed to ensuring that the personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be equipped and trained to best international standards and I can confirm that the Defence Forces keep their operational plans and response capabilities for dealing with a wide range of threats and emergencies under constant review. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces will continue to respond in an effective and timely manner to such events were they to occur in the state.