Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will approve an Army re-enlistment application for a person (details supplied). [61096/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to update the Deputy that, following the recommendation of the Chief of Staff to me on the merits of the application from this individual, I confirmed my approval on 23 November 2022 for the re-enlistment of the applicant in line with the provisions of the Terms and Conditions of the re-enlistment scheme.

I would like to express my appreciation to the successful candidate for re-enlistment into the Permanent Defence Force and I wish him every success in his endeavours.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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45. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a general service recruitment campaign for both the Army and the Air Corps will be launched early in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61315/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces remain committed to optimising the number of personnel inducted and, in 2023, will continue to target general service recruits, Cadets, Air Corps Apprentice Aircraft Technicians and specialists for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.

General service recruitment is ongoing. As of 31 October 2022, 366 personnel were inducted which included 321 general service recruits, with further inductions due to take place before the end of the year.

A separate, ongoing, recruitment competition has also been launched recently, specifically for Air Corps general service recruits who in the past were drawn from the wider General Service recruitment pool.

I remain committed to maximising recruitment and retention of personnel to maintain 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.