Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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270. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to report on his Department's work to encourage female participation and recruitment in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17305/25]

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to report on the current gender balance of all serving members of the Defence Forces in percentage form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17306/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.

I am advised by the military authorities that as at 28 February 2025, the latest date for which such figures are available, the whole time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 565 or 7.5% of the total strength of 7,502 personnel.

In line with current policies and commitments, a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force.

A competition for a Senior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Gender Advisor (GENAD) was successfully concluded in 2024 with the appointment of a female at Colonel rank.

The Defence Forces has established a female specific recruitment team which co-ordinates attendance of tri-service female specific recruiting teams at national and regional level events.

Male and female representation is present at all recruitment events and a gender perspective is incorporated in all advertising.

Fitness test requirements are tailored for females, such as the number of push ups and sit-ups that must be achieved to pass the fitness test. A fitness test preparation video is available on the military website to demonstrate the modified push up for females.

The Joint Recruitment Office are also actively reaching out to female applicants in the recruitment pipeline in order to support them throughout the application process should they need additional support, as appropriate.

A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.