Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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231. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress to date in improving recruitment and retention of personnel in the Permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47429/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have advised that as of 30 July 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,540.

Figures provided for 2024 and to date in 2025 indicate a stabilisation in the strength. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years. While it is positive that numbers are stabilising, I am determined to see greater progress in the recruitment of personnel and have been very clear with the Chief of Staff of my ambitions in that regard.

Interest in a career in the Defence Forces is very strong and grew significantly again in 2024 with a total applications showing an increase of 33% across all competitions compared to the previous year. This trend has continued into 2025.

Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures to drive Defence Forces recruitment. These include an increase in recruitment age to 39 years for those roles that had a recruitment age below that, and to 50 years for Direct Entry Specialists. The mandatory retirement age has been increased to 62. Private secondary healthcare has been rolled out to all personnel and the provisions of the Working Time Directive have been applied across the Defence Forces, subject to certain exemptions. The Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled after ten days at sea in a calendar year and the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years.

A Joint Induction Training Centre has been established in Gormanston, and the military authorities have advised that when fully operational, it will enable induction training to be provided to 900 recruits per annum.

There has been significant progress on pay in recent years. Recruits on completion of training now start at €41,880 inclusive of Military Service Allowance in Year 1. School leaver Cadets upon commissioning earn €45,795 inclusive of Military Service Allowance, whilst in full time education, while the pay of Graduate Cadets now commences on €51,184 inclusive of Military Service Allowance. There is further pay increase of 1% due under the current pay agreement in February 2026 while several items are being negotiated under the local bargaining provision.

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.

Whilst there are still undoubtedly challenges, significant progress has been made on a number of fronts and the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector is illustrative of my intent in this regard.