Defence Forces

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Questions (317, 318)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

317. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the number of new recruits to the Army in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [59003/22]

View answer

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

318. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons who have retired from the Army in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [59004/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.

I am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to the above-referenced Parliamentary Questions and my original reply stating that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I am now in a position to do so.

The military authorities have provided the information in the following table, detailing the number of General Service Recruits inducted into the Army in each of the years 2012 to 2022 (as at 31st October), were available. The table also details the total number of personnel who discharged from the Army during the same time periods:

Year	Army General Service Recruits*	Total Army Discharges
2022**	300	591
2021	377	533
2020	325	491
2019	385	655
2018	398	529
2017	553	588
2016	501	525
2015	No breakdown available	438
2014	379
2013	366
2012	657
		*General Service Recruits only i.e. excludes cadets, direct entry specialists, apprentices, re-enlisted and re-commissioned personnel
		**As at 31 Oct 2022. The military authorities have advised that the above figures may be subject to change while business processes are administered.

The term 'discharges' encompasses personnel who left for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges and also includes a number of trainees who exited prior to completion of their initial training.

In 2022, as at 30th November, the Defence Forces inducted a total of 370 Army personnel, including 329 General Service Recruits. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with operational requirements. I remain committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all roles assigned by Government.

Question No. 318 answered with Question No. 317.