Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 December 2025
93. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of all branches of the Defence Forces as of 28 November 2025 or the latest date available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68514/25]
View answerThe Government has acknowledged the on-going staffing difficulties as regards the recruitment and retention of members of the Defence Forces; however, figures provided by the Defence Forces for 2024 demonstrated a stabilisation in numbers and there has been a modest expansion in strength to date in 2025.
A range of measures have been undertaken to tackle recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces over the last number of years.
As of the 31 October, the latest date for which such data is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,760 personnel, consisting of 6,237 Army, 739 Air Corps and 784 Naval Service personnel.
It should be noted that there continues to be a very strong level of interest in a career in the Defence Forces is high with some 14,881 applications to date in 2025, with an expected 775 inductions by year end.
Budget 2026 includes an allocation of €1.49 billion for the Defence Sector, which incorporates a provision for the recruitment and training of at least a net additional 400 enlisted personnel in 2026. The Defence Forces advise that they will target 800+ inductions in 2026.
