Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
412. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps has varied in each of the past three years to date; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to retain the forces at their current strength for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29309/13]
View answerI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 December in each of the years 2010 -2012 is set out in the table.
|
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
|
|
Army |
7510 |
7650 |
7752 |
|
Air Corps |
791 |
791 |
766 |
|
Naval Service |
1058 |
997 |
1032 |
|
Total Strength |
9359 |
9438 |
9550 |
I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 30 April 2013, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,163, comprising 7,355 Army, 780 Air Corps, 1028 Naval Service personnel. This is against the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. It is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence to achieve and maintain the agreed stabilised strength.
In relation to the figures provided above I would like to point out to the Deputy that the military authorities have implemented a revised policy of reporting strength figures from 1st January 2013. With effect from this date the strength figures for the Permanent Defence Force are being calculated on the basis of actual numbers serving on the date i.e. excluding those on career breaks or leave of absence for periods exceeding eight weeks. This change in how strengths are calculated brings the strength returns for the Permanent Defence Force in line with the remainder of the public service.
