Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
192. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the recruitment target for each branch of the Defence Forces in the years 2024 to 2028, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16548/24]
View answerThe strength of the PDF, as at 29 February 2024 the latest date for which such figures are available, stood at 7,451 personnel.
Induction numbers fluctuate from year to year. Budget 2024 allocated €1.23 billion for the Defence Sector, which included a provision for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel in 2024. As part of strategies to achieve this, a Joint Induction Training Centre has been established in Gormanstown, and the military authorities have advised that when fully operational, it will enable induction training to be provided to 900 recruits per annum. General Service recruitment is ongoing, as is Direct Entry recruitment for specialist positions, and the 2024 Cadet competition has recently been launched.
Every effort is being made to increase the strength of our Defence Forces. The current recruitment and retention challenges being experienced by the Defence Forces are being experienced world-wide. This Government has introduced many changes to make the Defence Forces an attractive option as a career choice and will continue to work with the Defence Forces to enhance recruitment and retention.
