Brendan Smith
Question:306. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the recruitment programme for the Permanent Defence Force for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73615/25]
View answerThursday, 18 December 2025
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I am advised by the military authorities that, as of the 31 October 2025, the latest date such figures are available for, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 7,760 personnel consisting of 6,237 Army, 739 Air Corps and 784 Naval Service personnel respectively.
In order to meet government targets, the Defence Forces are making concerted efforts to increase recruitment. A total of 728 inductions to the Permanent Defence Force has been achieved to the end of October which exceeds the 708 inductions recorded in 2024 and I understand that the Defence Forces are targeting in excess of 750 inductions by year end. In addition, interest in a career in the Defence Forces remains notably high with further growth again this year in the number of applications received. A total of 14,879 applications have been received to the end of October this year which represents an 11% increase on the 13,348 applications received for all of 2024.
Government has introduced a range of key enabling measures to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment and retention. 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 while the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years.
There is body of work underway by the Defence Forces in relation to workforce planning, which will dovetail with recruitment planning in 2026.
There has also been significant progress on pay with a further pay award due in February of next year.
To support the achievement of these and other measures, Budget 2026 has provided a record allocation of €1.49 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €145 million on 2025. These funds include provision for the recruitment of a net 400 additional PDF members per annum.
Though challenges undoubtedly remain, the allocation of record levels of expenditure, coupled with the recruitment and retention initiatives currently in train, is indicative of the government's commitment to Defence.