John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of new recruits that have enlisted in the Permanent Defence Forces in 2021; the net increase in the numbers in the Permanent Defence Forces resulting from this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47149/21]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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136. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46864/21]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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138. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46849/21]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the present establishment strength of the Naval Service, the Army and the Air Corps, respectively; the actual strength of each broken down between men and women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47064/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 136, 138 and 140 together.

As at 31^stAugust 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 8,550 personnel, or 90% of the 9,500 establishment strength.  The requested breakdown is set out in the following table.

Recruitment remains ongoing and has resulted in 354 inductions, including 320 General Service recruits, as of 31st August 2021.  As of the same date, 97 recruits discharged from the Defence Forces leaving a net increase of 257 recruits. 

The average turnover rate for General Service recruits who do not complete training has been around 30% over the last number of years.  Recruits fail to complete their training for a variety of reasons.  The realities of military life and the training requirements are not always suitable for some recruits or in line with their expectations of the role. In any position where there is a training period prior to appointment there will always be fall off at different stages of the process.

An additional 52 inductions (including 13 General Service recruits) have taken place in September to date but the corresponding discharge figures are not yet available.Further inductions are planned, to include Cadets, Direct Entry and continued General Service inductions, with 95 recruits due to commence training on 4th October.

I have acknowledged the on-going staffing challenges in the Defence Forces and these have been well-documented. Initiatives to counter those challenges and play a role in restoring and retaining capacity include the 15 projects, most of which are now complete, which were undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the PSPC Report on Recruitment and Retention. These included projects focused on a broad range of non-pay measures and also included 4 projects relating to immediate pay which have provided immediate benefits to PDF members totalling some €10m, as well as initiatives that will lead to further improvements. 

Additionally, the independent Commission on the Defence Forces is examining a range of recruitment and retention matters and I look forward to receiving their recommendations, which will be considered and implemented as appropriate.

With the support of the Chief of Staff, I remain committed to maximising recruitment of both men and women to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and abroad.