Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2019
36. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the numbers in the Defence Forces have fluctuated in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45991/19]
View answer37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which membership of the Air Corps has fluctuated in the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45992/19]
View answer38. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which membership of the Naval Service has fluctuated in the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45993/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 36 to 38, inclusive, together.
The table below illustrates the extent to which the numbers in the Defence Forces have fluctuated in the past three years:
|
Year |
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
Total PDF Strength (WTE) |
Army Reserve |
Naval Reserve |
Total AR and NSR Strength (Effective) |
|
2017 |
7,386 |
734 |
1,053 |
9,173 |
1,732 |
124 |
1,856 |
|
2018 |
7,243 |
725 |
989 |
8,957 |
1,666 |
133 |
1,799 |
|
2019* |
6,983 |
720 |
951 |
8,654 |
1,548 |
148 |
1,696 |
*as at 30th September 2019, the latest date for which such data is available.
Recruitment and inductions will continue throughout 2019 to ensure the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all roles.
