As of 31 January, 2017 (the latest date for which figures are available), the serving strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 9,136 whole-time equivalent personnel. The pay allocation for the Permanent Defence Force in 2017 is €417 million and this amount will allow for the payment of the full establishment of 9,500 personnel. The estimated full year salary cost of a notional increase of the serving strength of the PDF from 9,500 personnel to 10,000 personnel is approximately €11.7 million, and per notional increase of 500 personnel thereafter.
The Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at or near the establishment figure of 9,500 personnel. A major new recruitment drive was recently announced targeting an intake of some 860 personnel, including general service recruits, apprentices and cadets.