Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
177. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces at end December 2023; how many of these personnel are in full-time induction training, recruits, two star training, cadet training or apprenticeships and therefore non deployable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4045/24]
View answerAs at 31 December 2023, the strength of the PDF was 7,550 personnel. Of that strength, 364 personnel were in full time induction training of varying duration, comprised of 86 recruits, 116 Private 2 star, 103 Cadets, 12 Air Corp Trainee Military Aircraft Systems Technician and 47 Air Corp Apprentice Technicians.
The establishment for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was recently increased by 89 to 9,589 to account for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) appointments. Personnel in training are counted as part of the 9,589 establishment level. Members of the PDF, when not deployed overseas, are engaged in a range of ongoing operations and training and are available for service at all times, including those in induction training, where appropriate.
