Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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313. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the apparent decline in the percentage and number of female inductees to the Permanent Defence Force in 2024 compared to previous years; if a strategy is in place to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40759/25]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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344. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures being taken to increase the number of females applying under any future Defence Forces recruitment campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42160/25]

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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352. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of initiatives to promote the recruitment and retention of women in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43038/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 313, 344 and 352 together.

I am advised by the military authorities that as at 30 June 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 567 or 7.5% of a total strength of 7,531 personnel.

While down in percentage terms on previous years, the total of 40 inductions of females recorded for 2024 exceeded the total of 37 recorded in each of the previous two the years. 17 females have been inducted up to 30 June 2025 compared to 10 for the same period. The majority of inductions are scheduled to take place in the later part of this year.

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 and 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 and a corresponding preparation video is available on the military website.

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.