Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
238. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of military personnel in Óglaigh na hÉireann, broken down by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service; the number at each rank (officer and enlisted); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71545/25]
View answerThe table attached provides the requested whole time equivalent strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) by branch and rank as of 31 October 2025, the latest date such figures are available for.
The Government has acknowledged the on-going staffing challenges in the Defence Forces; however, figures provided by the Defence Forces to date for 2025 indicate a modest expansion in the strength of the PDF.
A range of measures have been undertaken to tackle the recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces over the last number of years. Notable among these have been the extension of private secondary healthcare to all PDF personnel, a doubling of the Patrol-Duty Allowance, the application of the provisions of the Working-Time Directive across the Defence Forces as well as significant progress on pay.
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 total inductions for the year expected to exceed 750.
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 in excess of 800 inductions in 2026.
