Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2025
44. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strength of the permanent Defence Forces as of 31 August 2025, or the latest date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48978/25]
View answer62. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if consideration is being given to holding specific recruitment campaigns for people in other sectors and in mid- and later-career stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48826/25]
View answer78. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the position regarding any initiatives that seek to encourage both recruitment and retention of personnel in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49039/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 62 and 78 together.
The military authorities have advised me that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31 July, the latest date for which this figure is available, stood at 7,540 personnel.
Significant progress is being achieved on a number of fronts in addressing the recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces, and last year saw a stabilisation of the downward trend in numbers. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years while discharges were at their lowest in four years. Interest in a career in the Defence Forces continues to grow significantly with figures provided by the Defence Forces showing a year on year increase of 33% in application numbers to the end of August of this year.
Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures to drive Defence Forces recruitment. These include increases in the maximum ages of recruitment and retirement respectively, the extension of private secondary healthcare to all personnel and the application of the provisions of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces subject to certain exemptions. The Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled after ten days at sea in a calendar year and the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years.There has been significant progress on pay with all personnel benefiting from a further pay award made on August 1 of this year.
Recruitment to the Defence Forces remains ongoing through a diverse range of competitions for General Service and for specialised Direct Entry positions. Additional bespoke and once off competitions such as those currently advertising on the Defence Forces website for Grooms in the Equitation School and for a Dental Nurse provide further opportunities for perspective candidates who meet the entry criteria.
The entry criteria, including age limits, for personnel wishing to enter the Defence Forces are as set out in Regulations made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended. These criteria are subject to review and change. In 2024, the maximum recruitment age was increased in to 39 years of age for General Service Recruits, Cadets, and certain specialists. In addition, the maximum recruitment age for Direct Entry Officer specialists was increased to 50.
While challenges undoubtedly remain, the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector, and the policy initiatives and changes to eligibility criteria already implemented, is indicative of Government’s commitment in this regard.
