Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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138. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which efforts are being made to bring the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps up to optimum levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4888/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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146. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which adequate personnel are available to meeting crewing requirements on all Naval Service vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4896/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 146 together.

The table below details the current strength (Whole Time Equivalent) figures of the Permanent Defence Force, as of the 31^stDecember 2020, and those of the agreed establishment.

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 Covid 19 has impacted on the numbers inducted in 2020, inductions and training were resumed during the year taking public health guidelines into account.

Recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged. To address these a range of initiatives, such as re-commissioning and re-enlistment of former personnel saw an inflow of PDF experience across 2020.

The PSPC report on recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces made a range of recommendations with a view to addressing recruitment and retention issues and these have been progressed through a series of projects. In addition, the recently established independent Commission on the Defence Forces is tasked with examining a range of issues, including recruitment and retention.

Within the Naval Service a number of additional measures have also been introduced including a tax credit for sea-going Naval Service personnel and a new sea-going service commitment scheme.