I propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 634 together.
The following table details the current strength and establishment of the Permanent Defence Force, as of the 30 November 2022.
-
|
Current Strength (WTE)
|
Agreed Strength
|
Permanent Defence Force
|
8,049
|
9,500
|
Army
|
6,531
|
7,520
|
Air Corps
|
711
|
886
|
Naval Service
|
807
|
1,094
|
Ongoing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged. My focus is on bringing the strength of the Defence Forces to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.