Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2024
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps in hand to address the issue of the strength of the Defence Forces, with particular reference to the attainment of optimal strength; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42352/24]
View answerThe military authorities have advised that as of 31 August 2024, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,426.
I have acknowledged in the past the recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces. To address these I have introduced a number of measures. These include an increase in recruitment age to 39 years for those roles that had a recruitment age below that, and to 50 years for Direct Entry Specialists. The mandatory retirement age has been increased to 62. Private secondary healthcare has been rolled out to all PDF members. The Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled and the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years.
There has also been significant progress on pay in recent years. Recruits on completion of training now start at €40,297 in Year 1, while school leaver Cadets upon commissioning earn €44,216, whilst in full time education.
I also instructed the military authorities to increase their recruitment targets beyond those originally projected for 2024, and some positive trends are now beginning to emerge. The latest strength figures represent a net month-on-month increase of 105 personnel. As of 30 September 2024, 494 personnel have been inducted and the latest advice from the military authorities indicates that there could be more than 250 further inductions in 2024. There have been 443 discharges as of August 31, 35 fewer than at the same time last year.
Interest in a career in the Defence Forces continues to rise as evidenced by the total of 10,387 applications received across all competitions as of 30 September. This is more than the total number received for all of 2023.
Budget 2025 provided a record allocation of €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €100 million. In relation to specific recruitment targets, this allocation provides for the recruitment of at least a net additional 400 personnel per annum.
Whilst there are still undoubtedly challenges, significant progress has been made on a number of fronts and the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector is illustrative of my intent in this regard.
