Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 February 2014
149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps by gender and rank at present; the extent to which the numbers have fluctuated in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5974/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe strength of the Permanent Defence Force at the end of December 2013, the latest date for which figures are available stood at 9,236, of which 546 (5.91%) are women. Comparative figures at the end of 2009 show a strength of 9,933 of which 567 (5.7%) were female. The table - to which a link is provided - contains the strength, broken down into Army, Naval Service and Air Corps by gender and rank groupings for each of the years 2009 to 2013. I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2009 - 2012 include personnel who were on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. The 31 December 2013 strength figures have been calculated on the basis of actual numbers serving on that date, excluding those members who are on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. All future strength figures will be calculated on this basis.
