Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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446. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which gender balance is being achieved throughout the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37065/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is the policy of the Defence organisation to increase female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve.

As of 30 September 2020, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 8,529 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) personnel. Of this some 594 personnel (6.97%) were female broken down as follows:

- Army: 494 Female Personnel (7.18%)

- Air Corps: 39 Female Personnel (5.18%)

- Naval Service: 66 Female Personnel (7.34%)

In line with policies and commitments a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Defence Forces. For example:

- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment and within the general recruitment framework.

- The introduction of best practices in recruitment such as the adjustment of physical standards for female applicants and a balanced composition between men and women on recruitment and selection boards.

- A Gender, Equality and Diversity Officer has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces.

- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.