Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his recruitment plans for 2024; the extent to which he plans to increase the strength of the Defence Forces in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13442/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women applying for and enlisting in the Defence Forces, with equal respect to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13447/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the numbers enlisted in the Permanent Defence Forces at present; the proposals, if any, to have substantial recruitment and the timescale for increasing personnel in the Army; Air Corps and Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13501/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 146 and 149 together.
The strength of the PDF, as at 31 January 2024 the latest date for which such figures are available, stood at 7,504 personnel, 6,281 of which were enlisted.
I have acknowledged the current staffing difficulties previously and I have instructed the military authorities that additional enlisted personnel and Cadets be recruited in 2024 beyond the initial projected induction figure proposed. An allocation of €1.23 billion for the Defence Sector in Budget 2024, which includes a provision for the recruitment and training of at least a net additional 400 enlisted personnel in 2024, will assist in this regard.
There are currently a number of recruitment and retention initiatives underway to counter staffing difficulties and increase capacity. An example includes the recent increase in the maximum retirement age for PDF personnel to 60 years. This retention measure also facilitates an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 years for General Service Recruits, Cadets and certain specialists with effect from 29 March 2024.
In 2023 there were 1,117 female applications to the Permanent Defence Force consisting of 695 Army, 257 Air Corps and 165 Naval Service. There were 37 female inductions in 2023 consisting of 24 Army, 5 Air Corps and 8 Naval Service. In 2024 as of the 29th February there were 193 female applications consisting of 107 Army, 52 Air Corps and 34 Naval Service. 2024 inductions are scheduled to begin shortly.
Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework and the High Level Action Plan agreed by Government on the Commission on the Defence Forces contains a range of recommendations designed to assist in increasing female participation in the Defence Forces. The Government remains committed to increasing female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve.
