I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 341 together.
The linked table outlines the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), as at 31 December 2020, broken down by service and gender.
A total of 538 personnel were inducted to PDF in 2020 comprised of 385 General Service recruits, 69 cadets, 20 Air Corps apprentices, 7 Direct Entry personnel, 42 re-enlisted personnel and 15 re-commissioned officers.
The table below contains the requested breakdown of the 385 General Service recruits:
Branch
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Army
|
299
|
26
|
325
|
Navy
|
54
|
6
|
60
|
General Service Recruits Total*
|
353
|
32
|
385
|
*Air Corps do not recruit directly but transfer recruits from the Army
With the support of the Chief of Staff, I remain committed to maximising recruitment of both men and women 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 abroad.
Strengths by branch rank gender