Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 February 2013
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is expected to maintain the optimum strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corps including the provision of the full scale of necessary training requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6546/13]
View answerI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 December 2012, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,359. This is against the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. In this context it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. Targeted recruitment will ensure that the Permanent Defence Force can continue to deliver all operational outputs required by Government in the domestic environment as well as for overseas peace support operations. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, is also available for deployments in response to emergencies and crises.
I am advised that military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are specifically structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government. The challenges of preparing military units for participation in international peace support operations constitute the major dimension of Defence Forces collective training. The primary focus of this training is the attainment of a capability for military interoperability in order to conduct peace support operations to international standards. Training standards in the Defence Forces are constantly benchmarked against best international practice.
