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Defence Forces Strength

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Ceisteanna (29)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

29. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Defence Forces remains in keeping with targets and projections; if corrective measures are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1968/19]

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Freagraí scríofa

The whole time equivalent (WTE) strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), as of as of 31 December 2018 (the latest date for which figures are available), is 8,957.

The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining, the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015).

In order to achieve this target, significant recruitment continued in 2018 consisting of two general service recruitment campaigns and competitions for Cadets, Apprentices and Instrumentalists, with other intake from direct entry streams. This has resulted in over 611 personnel being inducted into the PDF in 2018. This figure does not include 15 members of the PDF who were awarded a cadetship last year.

Recently, I met with senior civil and military officials to review recruitment plans for 2019 and I can confirm that, subject to further consideration, similar recruitment competitions to those held in 2018 will take place in 2019. At this point it is not possible to predict precise numbers that will be recruited but it is anticipated that this will be in the region of some 800 personnel.

A range of alternative recruitment approaches are being developed, aimed at addressing certain specialist vacancies. These would include a scheme which now permits former Officers with specialist skills to re-enter the Permanent Defence Force and arrangements are in train to provide a similar scheme for former enlisted personnel. In addition a working group is currently examining the scope for greater use of direct entry recruitment for certain specialist positions.

The Government is committed to retaining 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 abroad.

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