Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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207. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will outline, in view of the strong desire to increase the number of serving members in Óglaigh na hÉireann, the steps his Department is taking as part of the recruitment and retention strategy to encourage more people to join; to outline, in particular, the steps being taken to encourage more women to join and serve the country as a member of Óglaigh na hÉireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18042/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Budget 2025 provided a record allocation of €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €100 million. In relation to specific recruitment targets, this allocation provides for the recruitment of at least a net additional 400 personnel per annum.

Recruitment is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff and Military Authorities. The recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces are well documented and, to address these, a range of measures have been implemented. These include an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 years; an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62; the extension of private secondary healthcare to all PDF members and the establishment of a Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston, which, I am advised when fully operational, will facilitate the provision of training to up to 900 recruits per annum. In addition, the Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled and the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years. In January of this year, the provisions of the Working Time Directive were extended across the Defence Forces, subject to some exemptions. There has also been significant progress on pay in recent years.

I am advised by the military authorities that as at 9 April 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 563 or 7.5% of the total strength of 7,545 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.

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.

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. 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 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.