Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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350. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service ships that are currently in operation. [15479/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Naval Service currently has a fleet of six vessels. One ship, LÉ Niamh, is in the process of a mid life refit which is expected to be complete in Quarter 3 2023, and a second ship LÉ Róisín, has been placed in operational reserve. There are four operational ships that remain available.

Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace the decommissioned LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. The ceremonial handover of the vessels took place in Auckland on 14 March 2023. Both vessels are expected to complete their acceptance testing and commence transportation to Ireland by the end of this month. With a transit time of at least a month, they are expected to arrive in Cork in May. On arrival, the vessels will undergo a comprehensive programme of works, including crew familiarisation and training, which will take place in the vicinity of Cork Harbour and the naval base at Haulbowline. It is expected that these vessels will be in a position to commence operational service in 2024.

Notwithstanding some challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime surveillance operations.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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351. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service personnel that were recruited in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [15480/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The military authorities advise that the strength of the Naval Service as at 28 February 2023 stood at 767 out of the agreed strength of 1,094. The following table details the number of Naval Service personnel that have been inducted in 2022 and in 2023, as of that date:

*The military authorities have advised that the first 2023 induction of Naval Service general service recruits is due to take place shortly.

The Government has previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Naval Service, and the Defence Forces in general and to counter this there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives underway. In addition to ongoing General Service and Direct Entry recruitment, military management are introducing a planned specific recruitment campaign for the Naval Service, and a tender competition for a specialist recruitment body to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.

My immediate focus is now on stabilising the staffing situation in the Naval Service, and the Defence Forces in general, and thereafter in bringing their strength to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.