John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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406. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current number of women in the Defence Forces, by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4520/23]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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407. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current number of women in the Defence Forces who are currently serving overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4521/23]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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408. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women members who have left the Defence Forces in 2023, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4522/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 406, 407 and 408 together.

As at 31 December 2022, there were 564 female members of the Permanent Defence Force, 28 of whom were serving overseas.  

The requested breakdown of the total female strength of 564, by rank, is as follows: 

63 females were discharged from the Defence Forces during 2022.  This is the latest date for which data is available.  Typically, discharges include personnel who leave for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges and would also include any trainees who exited prior to completion of their initial training. 

In line with current policies and commitments, and the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, a number of initiatives are in place with a view to increasing the level of female participation in the Defence Forces. Additionally, special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework.

I am committed to maximising recruitment and retention of personnel, both male and female, to maintain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles, to undertake the tasks laid down by Government. 

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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409. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4523/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF and the Government remains committed to the advancement of the Reserve.

The strength of the Reserve Defence Force, as of 31 December 2022, is set out below:

The Deputy will be aware that the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations, including on the future structure and role of the RDF. 

A High Level Action Plan (HLAP) that sets out the Government’s response to the Report has been approved, with a number of specific initiatives in relation to the Reserve Defence Force.  These include the immediate commencement of planning for the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs with the priority objective of developing a regeneration plan for the RDF. 

The Deputy may also be aware that the 2022 recruitment drive for the RDF was advertised across a number of media channels. Recruit Liaison Officers across the Reserve conducted local recruitment to attract applicants for this campaign and over 1000 applications were received, which is very encouraging.

In 2022, to the end of year, 90 RDF recruits were inducted into the Defence Forces and the processing of eligible applicants is continuing. The military authorities have advised me that once this body of work is completed, consideration will be given to the launch of a further recruitment campaign in mid 2023.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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410. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women in the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4524/23]