Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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22. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to report on the progress of recruitment campaigns for school leavers and women into careers in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49114/25]

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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48. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to a nationwide programme for transition year and third level students, with a view to achieving the target of 11,500 personnel and better representation of women at all levels of the Defence Forces. [48990/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 48 together.

The military authorities have advised that as of 31 July 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,540.

Recruitment to the Defence Forces remains ongoing through a number of pathways including general service recruitment, re-entry schemes, 8 Naval Service specific direct entry competitions, a Dental Nurse competition and a bespoke competition for Grooms in the Equitation School. The 2025 Cadetship competition closed for applications in April of this year. Total inductions for the year to the end of August stood at 350 and the military authorities advise me that a significant number of further inductions are planned to take place from this month onwards.

The Permanent Defence Force (PDF) continues to strive to position the Defence Forces as an employer of choice by conducting long-term brand building, as well as direct recruitment activation. Activities centre on driving awareness of careers in the Defence Forces, building a positive perception of the Defence Forces as an organisation, and increasing application numbers. Interest in a career in the Defence Forces is very strong with applications to the Permanent Defence Force as of the 31 August showing a year on year increase of 33%, and with applications from female candidates showing a year on year increase of 46%. This builds on the significant expansion in application numbers achieved in 2024 with 12,462 applications received up to end August this year compared with 13,348 applications in 2024.

The Defence Forces continue to broadcast its message through regular engagement with schools, Education and Training Boards and third level institutions, in addition to frequent attendance at recruitment and career fairs/events. Furthermore, transition year students can avail of placements within the organisation to undertake various programmes, across a number of locations, thereby demonstrating career opportunities to both male and female candidates.

A number of initiatives have been implemented specifically targeted to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force. These include, attendance by male and female representatives is at all recruitment events and a gender perspective is incorporated in all advertising. In addition 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 with a video available on the military website to assist. 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 Defence Forces has also recently completed a tender for the creative design of a female-focused recruitment campaign. It is anticipated that this will be completed this year and launched in early 2026.

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.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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23. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress his Department has made regarding the establishment of a joint cyber-security command and other actions related to cyber-security contained in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [49303/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As recognised in the Report on the Commission on Defence Forces and accepted by Government, the Defence Forces needs to be capable of delivering military effects across the cyber domain. To this end, my Department published a high-level action plan for the Report on the Commission on the Defence Forces, which included recommendations relating to Defence Forces Cyber Defence functions

As a result the Defence Forces have established a Joint Cyber Defence Command (JCDC). This Command will be able to conduct full-spectrum cyberspace operations to robustly defend against cyber threats, support Defence Forces operations at home and overseas, and enhance national cyber defence resilience and contingent capabilities.

Following the establishment of the JCDC, a Defence Forces Cyber-Defence Strategy 2024 to 2027 was published last year. This Strategy sets out a comprehensive road map to ensure that the Defence Forces achieve operational capability in this new domain.

To give effect to this Strategy, my Department has approved the assignment of 19 Defence Forces specialists to kick start the operation of this Unit which is headed up by an officer of General rank. In addition, my Department engaged with the Public Appointments Service to recruit 10 civilian cyber specialists who will be embedded in the JCDC, it is intended that such posts will be filled as soon as possible.

I am satisfied that from a Defence perspective we are developing a positive trajectory to ensure that the new Cyber Defence Command Unit is well positioned to meet the ambitious targets set out in the Cyber Strategy.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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24. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the total number of personnel in 2019; and the current total number of personnel. [48882/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have advised that as of 31 July 2025, the latest date such figures are available for, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 7,540 personnel. The current agreed establishment strength of the PDF is 9,739. The strength of the PDF as of the 31 December 2019 was 8,659.

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 an increase in Permanent Defence Force establishment figure to 11,500, to include a civilian component.

This framework also provides for an increase in the Defence budget to €1.5 billion by 2028, index linked to inflation, as part of the annual estimates processes. This level of funding increase will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment identified by the Commission

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.

Significant 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. This trend has continued into 2025 with figures provided by the Defence Forces to the end of August showing a year on year increase of 33%.

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. Significant progress has been made on pay for the Defence Forces with the most recent pay increase awarded on August 1st under the Public Service Pay Agreement 2024-2026.

While challenges undoubtedly remain, the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector, and the array of policy initiatives currently in train, is indicative of Government’s commitment in this regard.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will consider introducing legislation to ensure that military uniforms can only be worn by members of the permanent and reserve Defence Forces, and that for all other uses, such as filmmaking and re-enactment, a licence would have to be obtained from his Department; if he will extend such legislation to include a prohibition on the wearing of military-style uniforms by paramilitaries and political organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48942/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Act 1954, as amended, prohibits the unlawful wearing of any Defence Force uniform or dress.

Section 264 of the Defence Act 1954 provides that it shall be an offence for any person (not being a member of the Defence Forces) to wear, without permission granted by or on behalf of the Minister for Defence, any uniform of the Defence Forces or any colourable imitation thereof. This prohibition does not apply in respect of the wearing of any uniform of the Defence Forces or any colourable imitation thereof in the course of a stage play or other dramatic representation or performance. The section also provides that a person found guilty by the Courts of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €1,270 or to a term of imprisonment, or both.

In view of the existing provisions in the Defence Act relating to the unlawful wearing of any Defence Forces uniform or dress, I have no plans to introduce new policy or legislation in this regard.