Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 October 2020
178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women throughout the Defence Forces has fluctuated in each of the past ten years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29542/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs at 31st August 2020, the latest date for which such data is available, the number of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 584.
The table below shows the number of women in the Permanent Defence Force in each of the last ten years. I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2010-2012 include personnel who were on secondment to other organisations or on career breaks. The strength figures for 2013 onwards are calculated net of those personnel.
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Females |
569 |
565 |
582 |
546 |
563 |
552 |
568 |
600 |
601 |
598 |
The White Paper on Defence 2015, which provides the current defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon, contains a number of initiatives and projects designed to encourage more women to apply for the Defence Forces and to increase female participation at all ranks.
The commitment to increase participation by female personnel in all aspects of Defence Forces operations is further exemplified in the Defence Forces Equality Policy and the Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan, which outlines the Organisation’s commitment to gender equality.
The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.
