Written answers
Tuesday, 7 October 2025
Department of Defence
Defence Forces
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of females who are currently in cadetship training in each of the three branches of the Permanent Defence Forces. [53357/25]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces have advised that as of the 3 of October 2025 there are 26 female cadets in training, consisting of 18 Army, 1 Naval Service and 7 Air Corps respectively.
Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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51. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the plans for increasing pay and pension levels for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53495/25]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last six (6) years. Under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, came into effect on 1 August 2025, and will have a further positive financial impact, for members of the Defence Forces.
For context, in May 2019 a newly qualified three-star private could have expected to earn €27,759 gross per annum (including military service allowance but excluding duty allowances), on completion of his/her initial training.
Following the implementation of a number of pay related Commission on Defence Forces recommendations, coupled with ongoing pay increases being applied as part of national pay agreements, at present recruit pay, on completion of training (which takes approximately 24 weeks), starts at:
- €41,880 in Year 1
- €43,304 in Year 2
- €44,618 in Year 3
Equally, for the Officer cohort, a school leaver Cadet, on commissioning, was paid €30,884 in 2019. As of 01 August 2025 a school leaver Cadet, again on commissioning, is now paid €45,795, which is a second lieutenant position.
As such, in the last 6 years a cadet's pay, on commissioning, has increased by €14,911 in 6 years, or by 49%. Furthermore, after 2 years they are promoted to lieutenant and their pay rises to €51,184.
Where a graduate joins – the pay rate on commissioning begins at €51,184. These rates all include pensionable military service allowance, which is an allowance that is paid to all ranks up to and including the rank of Colonel, for the unpredictable nature of the work encountered by the Defence Forces.
In the conversation surrounding the pay and conditions of members of the Defence Forces, it is important to point out that in addition to basic pay and military service allowance, certain positions in the Defence Forces also attract specialist and technical pay. Additionally there is scope for further income from duty allowances for specific duties carried, out on an ongoing basis, as well as the possibility of earning a tax-free duty allowance, starting at €15,000, for a 6 month overseas deployment.
The Deputy may also be aware of the changes to Patrol Duty Allowance for Naval Service personnel which came into effect on 1 January 2024. This measure resulted in the Patrol Duty Allowance being doubled after ten days at sea. This particular measure provides greater clarity on the overall incentive package available to members of, and potential recruits to, the Naval Service.
Key changes introduced to broader conditions include extension of private medical care to all personnel; increases to mandatory retirement ages and recruitment ages, and earlier this year, the removal of the blanket exemption from the Organisation of the Working Time Act.
With regards to pensions some recent improvements to pension levels for the Defence Forces include:
- Implementation of recent increases in mandatory retirement age which means that earnings are now pensionable for a longer period, to a higher mandatory retirement age.
- Pay parity policy has been maintained. This means that the benefit of pay increases awarded under the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 is passed on to military pensions, as appropriate, in accordance with established methodology.
- The allocation for the Army Pensions Vote, which is mainly demand-led and non-discretionary, increased by €12m to €329m in 2025 and will provide pension benefits to 13,600 Army Pensioners and their dependants.
Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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52. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to report on the progress of recruitment campaigns for school leavers into careers in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53496/25]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have advised that as of 31 August 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,502.
Figures provided for 2024 and to date for 2025 indicate a stabilisation in numbers. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years. While it is positive that numbers are stabilising, I want to see greater progress in recruitment of personnel. The Defence Forces advise that they are targeting up to 800 inductions for this year. In pursuing this goal, the Defence Forces continue to undertake regular visits to schools and Education and Training Boards, in addition to frequent attendance at recruitment and career fairs/events, such as the Higher Options conference. Furthermore, transition year students may avail of placements within the Defence Forces to undertake various TY programmes, across a number of locations, demonstrating career opportunities.
Competitions suitable for school leavers include, but are not limited to, those for General Service Recruits which remain open for applications, for Cadets which closed for applications in April and for Air Craft Maintenance Technician positions, which closed for applications in July. Interest in a career in the Defence Forces is very strong and grew significantly again in 2025 with a total applications showing an increase of 33% across all competitions compared to the previous year.
A range of measures have been implemented to tackle the recruitment and retention challenges within the Defence Forces. Notable amongst these are 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 increase of the mandatory retirement age to 62; the extension of private secondary healthcare to all PDF members and the application of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces in January of this year. In addition, the Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled after ten days at sea in a calendar year, the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years and there has been significant progress on pay in recent years.
Budget 2026 provided a record allocation of €1.49 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €157 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.
Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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53. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if consideration is being given to reopening the Irish Army apprentice school in Devoy barracks as part of the expansion in recruitment of the Defence forces. [53497/25]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the premises referenced by the Deputy was sold by my Department in 2002.
The ongoing need for technical expertise in the Defence Forces is being met by a comprehensive range of training and education. This is delivered both internally and in conjunction with a number of collaborative partners across the Further and Higher Education sector, such as the South East Technological University, Munster Technological University and SOLAS. Further evaluation is currently progressing on the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces regarding the development of a National Defence Academy and an Apprentice School for the Defence Forces.
Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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54. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if consideration is being given to holding specific recruitment campaigns for people in other sectors and in mid and later career stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53498/25]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have advised me that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31 August 2025, the latest date for which this figure is available, stood at 7,502 personnel.
Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures to drive Defence Forces recruitment. These include increases in the maximum ages of recruitment and retirement respectively, the extension of private secondary healthcare to all personnel and the application of the provisions of the Working Time Directive 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. There has been significant progress on pay with all personnel benefiting from a further pay award made on 1st August this year.
Recruitment to the Defence Forces remains ongoing through a diverse range of competitions for General Service and for specialised Direct Entry positions. Additional bespoke and once off competitions such as those currently advertising on the Defence Forces website for Grooms in the Equitation School and for a Dental Nurse provide further opportunities for perspective candidates who meet the entry criteria.
The entry criteria, including age limits, for personnel wishing to enter the Defence Forces are as set out in Regulations made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended. These criteria are subject to review and change. In 2024, the maximum recruitment age was increased in to 39 years of age for General Service Recruits, Cadets, and certain specialists. In addition, the maximum recruitment age for Direct Entry Officer specialists was increased to 50.
While challenges undoubtedly remain, the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector, and the policy initiatives and changes to eligibility criteria already implemented, is indicative of Government’s commitment in this regard.
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