Clare Daly
Ceist:285. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a new recruitment drive for the Naval Service will occur in early 2018. [53358/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 13 December 2017
Ceisteanna (285)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service.
The manpower requirements of the Permanent Defence Force are monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. As there has always been a relatively large turnover of personnel in the Defence Forces, targeted recruitment takes place on a regular basis so as to maintain personnel numbers at or near the agreed strength levels. There is significant ongoing recruitment at both enlisted and officer level and it is anticipated that 800 new personnel will have been inducted into the Permanent Defence Force during 2017. This includes general service recruits, apprentices, cadets and direct entry officers.
As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed stabilised strength of 9,500, it is intended that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. The plans for a General Service Recruitment campaign in 2018 have not been finalised yet.
With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, I intend to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.