Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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375. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current height restrictions in the Defence Forces; if the possibility has been examined of reducing these, either in full or with regard to certain roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43793/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Candidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific standards for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended and extended. These Regulations provide for a minimum height requirement for enlistment for both male and female candidates of 157.48cm.

The determination of a minimum height standard for enlistment in the Defence Forces is based on the ergonomic requirement that all members can meet the physical demands of military training and operations thereafter, with service Personal Load Carrying Equipment, whether they are at home or overseas.

The conditions for entry to and for service in the Defence Forces, including the methodology used for assessments, are subject to continuous review and modification having regard to the needs of the organisation, health and safety and the development of best practices.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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376. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is aware of the reported increase in Russian ‘shadow ships’ operating in Irish-controlled waters in recent months; the actions the Defence Forces are taking to monitor these vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43814/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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377. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if any additional resources or measures are being considered to strengthen maritime security and surveillance in response to the presence of foreign state-linked vessels in Ireland’s exclusive economic zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43815/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.

The Defence Forces routinely monitor foreign vessels with both Naval Service assets and Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft, as well as remote monitoring on a 24/7 basis from the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline. It should be noted that foreign vessels transiting Irish waters must do so in compliance with international law and may be subject to sighting and observation by the Naval Service and Air Corps without their innocent passage being infringed.

In relation to additional measures being introduced to strengthen maritime security and surveillance, my Department is working to deliver Ireland’s first-ever National Maritime Security Strategy. The aim of this strategy is amongst other things, to enhance our maritime domain awareness and to protect our critical maritime infrastructure.

The Air Corps have in the last two years introduced into service two state of the art Airbus C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and the Naval Service have introduced the P70 Class to further enable maritime operations. Further developments in the capability development sphere are ongoing including projects to introduce military radar and sonar capability.

Another initiative I have taken to support this focus on maritime security is the approval to the Defence Forces' participation in the EU’s Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE). This EU programme enables structured and secure information-sharing among EU maritime authorities, both civil and military, allowing for more effective operations at sea amid new and evolving maritime threats.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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378. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the establishment figure for each branch of the Permanent Defence Forces; the actual number for each year 2019 to date; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43832/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have provided in the table attached, the requested establishment figure and the whole-time equivalent strengths for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), by branch and in total, from 2019 to date.

As the Deputy is aware, in July 2022, Government approved a move over, a six-year period, to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. Achieving LOA2 requires a Permanent Defence Force establishment figure of 11,500 by 2028, to include a civilian component. In an effort to expedite the recommendations of this report, the establishment of the Defence Forces was increased between 2023 and 2025, from 9,500 to 9,739, through the creation of positions to be filled through promotion and reassignment.

Progress has been made on a number of fronts in addressing recruitment and retention challenges, and 2024 saw a stabilisation of the downward trend in numbers. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years while discharges were at their lowest in four years. Interest in a career in the Defence Forces is very strong and grew significantly in 2024 with total applications showing an increase of 33% across all competitions compared to the previous year. This trend has continued into 2025. 278 personnel have been inducted up to 30 June 2025 compared to 213 for the same period last year with the majority of inductions scheduled to take place in the later part of this year similar to last year.

Working towards these targets, Budget 2025 provided a record allocation of €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €100 million. This allocation includes funding for the recruitment of a net additional 400 personnel per annum, at a minimum.

Significant progress has been made on a number of fronts in addressing the recruitment and retention challenges and the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector coupled with the policy initiatives already implemented, is indicative of Government’s commitment in this regard.

Table showing Establishment strength and whole time equivalent strength of the PDF by branch from 2019 to date

**As at end of December 2024 the establishment had been increased to 9,600 with the additional 100 posts not broken down by branch

***As at end of January 2025 the establishment had been increased to 9,739 with 186 posts not broken down by branch.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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379. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the establishment figure for each branch of the Reserve Defence Forces; the actual number for each year 2019 to date; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43833/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) is comprised of the First Line reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).

The establishment of the RDF is laid down in Admin Instruction CS.4 (As Amended)

The establishment of the RDF, by branch, from 2019 to 2025 is as follows:

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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380. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who served overseas on a United Nations mandated mission in the years 2019 to date; by year; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43834/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has participated in the following peacekeeping missions from the years 2019 to date.

• UNTSO (Middle East)
• MINURSO (Western Sahara)
• MONUSCO (Democratic Rep Congo)
• UNIFIL (Lebanon)
• UNDOF (Golan Heights)
• UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service)
• MINUSMA (Mali)
• MINUSCA (Central African Republic)
• EUFOR ALTHEA (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• EUTM Mali
• Operation Sophia (Mediterranean)
• Operation Irini (Mediterranean)
• KFOR (Kosovo)