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Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Ceisteanna (303, 307, 310, 312, 313)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which efforts are being made to bring the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps up to optimum levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34961/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which strength of the Defence Forces throughout its entirety remains adequate to meet any exigencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34965/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of women in senior positions in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34968/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the numbers in the Defence Forces have fluctuated in the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34970/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who retired or resigned in each of the past five years; the number of replacements recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34971/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 307, 310, 312 and 313 together.

The military authorities have advised that, as at 31st May 2021, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, was 8,570 personnel comprised of:

- Army 6,954

- Air Corps 732

- Naval Service 884

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). However, there are a number of factors, some of which are hard to predict, which will impact on the timeframe within which this will be achieved.

In order to achieve this target, as well as a broad range of retention measures, there is significant on-going recruitment. This will continue throughout the year and includes General Service Recruits, Cadets, Aircraft Apprentice Technicians and Direct Entry Specialists. As of 30th April 2021, 228 personnel have been inducted.

The tables below shows the wholetime equivalent strength of females in the Permanent Defence Force, by rank, as at 31st May 2021:-

Tables

*Wholetime equivalent strength, as at 31st December for 2016-2020, and as at 31st May in 2021.

The discharge figures above include personnel who left for a variety of reasons including on age grounds, at end of contract and voluntary discharges. It should also be noted that a long term average of some 25% of personnel who depart do so prior to completion of their initial training.

The capacity of the Defence Forces to undertake the tasks assigned by Government continues to be carefully monitored to ensure they retain their capacity to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and abroad.

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