I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 123 together.
Boosting recruitment to the Defence Forces is a key priority for me and I am advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,778 as at 31st March, the latest date for which this figure is available. Last year saw 790 inductions to the Permanent Defence Force (PDF)- the highest figure in twenty years- while the total number of applications for careers in the PDF exceeded 16,500.
These figures indicate that the key enabling measures introduced by Government over the past five years are yielding positive results. I want to build on the growth achieved in 2025 and have set a target of 850 inductions to the Permanent Defence Force for 2026.
Further to my response to the Deputy in March in relation to this matter, I am advised by the Defence Forces that a draft Strategic Workforce Plan will be submitted to me for consideration imminently. As the Deputy will be aware, work on this plan commenced late last year and I am advised that when complete it will provide a pathway to the achievement of a strength of 11,500, commensurate with Level of Ambition 2.
The recommendations arising from the plan, including any recommendations pertaining to Lateral Entry, will be evaluated fully by my officials in due course. However, as the Deputy is aware from my previous response, the Defence Forces does not currently have a formal policy governing lateral transfers from other militaries and proposals regarding this have not yet been submitted by the Defence Forces for consideration.
It therefore remains the case that the primary pathways for entry to the Permanent Defence Force are those currently advertising on military.ie. These pathways are many and varied and in fact include an unprecedented number of recruitment competitions. A range of direct entry competitions for specialist roles in the PDF are currently open for applications. Two additional competitions for Medical Officers and a Pharmacist were launched recently with proposals for competitions for Dental Officers, Instrumentalists and Armourers currently being progressed. In addition, applications for General Service recruitment as well as opportunities for re-enlistment and recommissioning remain open and ongoing. The 2026 cadetship competitions closed in March with more than 2,800 applications received.
The Deputy may wish to note that an action within the Reserve Defence Force Regeneration Plan is the enabling of multi-induction streams. Lateral mobility for the Defence Forces as a whole, will be considered under the recommendations in the Workforce Plan.
