Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the present enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force; the proposals to increase recruitment and improve retention levels in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60410/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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45. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the number of personnel required to meet Level of Ambition 2; the current number of personnel; and his target for recruitment each year under this Government. [60465/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

As of the 30 September 2025, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 7,641 personnel.

As one of the recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Permanent Defence Force capability equivalent to Level of Ambition 2. This will require an additional 2,000 personnel, including a civilian component, beyond the 9,500-establishment figure that was in place at the time of the Commission’s report.

The establishment figure for the Permanent Defence Force has increased incrementally since 2022 to 9,739 to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

Working towards the achievement of Level of Ambition 2, Budget 2026 provided a record allocation of €1.49 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €145 million on 2025. These funds include provision for the recruitment of a net 400 additional PDF members.

In order to meet government targets, the Defence Forces are making concerted efforts to ramp up recruitment. Last year saw a stabilisation in numbers with 708 inductions to the PDF and the military authorities have advised that they are targeting up to 800 inductions for 2025. The inclusion of an increased advertising allocation in 2025 has provided further impetus to ongoing Defence Forces recruitment efforts with applications by the end of September 2025 exceeding the total for the whole of 2024 which in itself saw the highest number of applications in 10 years.

Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures to support and 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 in August of 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 for Grooms in the Equitation School and for a Dental Nurse have provided recent additional career opportunities for perspective candidates.

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.