I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 to 51, inclusive, together.
Discharges from the Defence Forces are recorded under a number of headings without a specific definition of retirement which can be either voluntary or involuntary. The table below shows the number of discharges in each of the past three years and as of 31st August in 2019:
BRANCH
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
Army
|
529
|
586
|
525
|
415
|
Air Corps
|
47
|
59
|
59
|
49
|
Naval Service
|
103
|
97
|
147
|
94
|
Total
|
679
|
742
|
731
|
558
|
The table below shows the number of inductions that took place in each of the past three years and as of 31st August in 2019:
BRANCH
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019**
|
Army
|
574
|
630
|
484
|
186
|
Air Corps
|
12
|
31
|
26
|
0
|
Naval Service
|
104
|
90
|
101
|
77
|
Total
|
690
|
751
|
611*
|
263
|
* This figure does not include 15 PDF personnel awarded a Cadetship
** While inductions take place at various stages throughout the year, there is normally an accelerated intake of personnel in the last quarter.