Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2017
228. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel serving at present in the Permanent Defence Forces; the projected enrolment by the end of 2017; the proposals for retention and recruitment of members in 2018-2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14769/17]
View answerThe 2015 White Paper on Defence commits to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. The strength of the Permanent Defence Forces on 28 Feb 2017 stands at 9,070 (Whole Time Equivalent): Army 7,293, Air Corps 701, Naval Service 1,076.
The Defence Forces has a policy of ongoing recruitment with the objective of returning to and maintaining its stated Establishment figure of 9,500. In total 590 General Service Recruits (501 Army, 89 Naval Service) were inducted in 2016, along with 100 Cadets between all services. Recruitment Campaigns for the Defence Forces will continue in 2017 with the following competitions scheduled to be launched in the early part of the year: Army Cadetship, Army Equitation Cadetship, Army Engineer Cadetship, Air Corps Cadetship, Naval Service Operations Cadetship, Naval Service Marine Engineer Cadetship, Naval Service Electrical Engineer Cadetship, Air Corps Trainee Military Aircraft Technician, Army General Service Recruits, and Naval Service General Service Recruits.
The Defence Forces are planning for the induction of 850 – 900 new entrants in 2017.
To date in 2017, 106 General Service Recruits (103 Army and 3 Navy) and 10 Air Corps Trainee Military Aircraft Technicians have been inducted. Details for recruitment in 2018 and 2019 are yet to be confirmed and the extent of these campaigns will naturally be subject to Defence Forces strength and operational requirements at that time.
A key policy in supporting retention of military personnel is the provision of opportunit ies for extensive personal and professional development offered by the Defence Forces through accredited courses, and the unique features of the military environment. Additionally, in terms of remuneration, the new Public Service Pay Commission has been tasked with providing objective analysis and advice on the most appropriate pay levels for the public service, including the Defence Forces.
