Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women applying for and enlisting in the Defence Forces with equal respect to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3033/24]
View answerAs at 31 December 2023, the number of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 559.
The table below sets out the number of women who applied for, and the number that were inducted into, the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 December 2023. At 37, the number female inductions represents some 9% of the total inductions of 415 personnel, in line with the aims of the Chief of Staff for 2023.
|
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
Total |
|
|
Applications |
695 |
257 |
165 |
1,117 |
|
Inductions |
24 |
5 |
8 |
37 |
There are many reasons for the low number of inductions versus applications. These include applications not being completed or followed through by applicants, applicants not presenting for various stages of the recruitment process, in addition to being unsuccessful at the various stages.
Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework and the High Level Action Plan agreed by Government on the Commission on the Defence Forces contains a range of recommendations designed to assist in increasing female participation in the Defence Forces.
The Government remains committed to increasing female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve.
