Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current strength of all branches of the Defence Forces; if further recruitment is required to bring each branch of the forces up to optimum strength; if issues regarding salary, pay and conditions are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22333/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs at 31st March 2024, the latest date for which such data is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 7,510 personnel comprised of 6,087 Army personnel, 701 Air Corps personnel and 722 Naval Service personnel.
Whilst recruitment and retention challenges have been acknowledged, a range of measures have been introduced by this Government to address these and make the Defence Forces an attractive option as a career choice. To this end, there is provision, contained in the €1.23 billion allocated for the Defence Sector in Budget 2024, for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel in 2024.
In addition to ongoing recruitment for general service recruits and direct entry specialists, there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives underway to increase capacity. An example includes the recent increase in the maximum retirement age for PDF personnel to 60 years. This retention measure also facilitated an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 years for General Service Recruits, Cadets and certain specialists with effect from 29 March 2024.
Other financial and non-financial retention initiatives are currently being implemented such as the extension of the provision of private secondary healthcare to all members of the PDF, in addition to significant progress on pay.
