Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
125. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of commissioned officers and enlisted personnel, by rank, currently serving in the Army; the current target figure for Army personnel across each rank, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3427/25]
View answer127. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of commissioned officers and enlisted personnel, by rank, currently serving in the Naval Service; the current target figure for Naval Service personnel across each rank, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3429/25]
View answer130. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of commissioned officers and enlisted personnel, by rank, currently serving in the Air Corps; the current target figure for Air Corps personnel across each rank, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3432/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 127 and 130 together.
The military authorities advise that as of the 31 December 2024, the latest date for which the requested figures are available for, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,557 personnel. The table at the following link provides the establishment and current strength, by Branch and rank.
A range of recruitment measures, along with financial and non-financial retention incentives, including the recent application of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces, and continued progress on pay and allowances, have been implemented to address recruitment challenges. 2024 saw a stabilisation of the downward trend in numbers.
