Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
52. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the progress of recruitment campaigns for school leavers into careers in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53496/25]
View answerThe military authorities have advised that as of 31 August 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,502.
Figures provided for 2024 and to date for 2025 indicate a stabilisation in numbers. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years. While it is positive that numbers are stabilising, I want to see greater progress in recruitment of personnel. The Defence Forces advise that they are targeting up to 800 inductions for this year. In pursuing this goal, the Defence Forces continue to undertake regular visits to schools and Education and Training Boards, in addition to frequent attendance at recruitment and career fairs/events, such as the Higher Options conference. Furthermore, transition year students may avail of placements within the Defence Forces to undertake various TY programmes, across a number of locations, demonstrating career opportunities.
Competitions suitable for school leavers include, but are not limited to, those for General Service Recruits which remain open for applications, for Cadets which closed for applications in April and for Air Craft Maintenance Technician positions, which closed for applications in July. Interest in a career in the Defence Forces is very strong and grew significantly again in 2025 with a total applications showing an increase of 33% across all competitions compared to the previous year.
A range of measures have been implemented to tackle the recruitment and retention challenges within the Defence Forces. Notable amongst these are 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 increase of the mandatory retirement age to 62; the extension of private secondary healthcare to all PDF members and the application of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces in January of this year. In addition, the Patrol Duty allowance payable to Naval Service personnel at sea has been doubled after ten days at sea in a calendar year, the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years and there has been significant progress on pay in recent years.
Budget 2026 provided a record allocation of €1.49 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €157 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.
