Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
140. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women currently serving in the Defence Forces and have served in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13855/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of females that joined Defence Forces from each general service recruitment campaign or cadet service recruitment campaigns in the years of 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [14787/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 154 together.
The military authorities have provided the details in Table (A), setting out the number of women inducted as General Service Recruits (GSR) and Cadets in 2023 and in 2024 (as at 31 March); and Table (B), setting out the number of women serving in the Defence Forces for the past 5 years and in 2024 (as at 29 February - the latest date such figures are available for ).
Table (A): GSR and Cadet Female Inductions 2023 - 2024 (as at 31 March 2024)
|
Year |
GSR |
Cadets |
|
2023 |
23 |
10 |
|
2024* |
9 |
0** |
*As of 31 March 2024 ** 2024 Cadetship competition is yet to launch
Table B: Female PDF Strength 2019 – 2024 (as at 29 Feb 2024)
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024* |
|
Total |
598 |
603 |
598 |
564 |
559 |
555 |
*As of 29 February 2029
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.
