Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
223. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Defence the cost of rebuilding Defence Force numbers, based on meeting LOA2 requirement of 11,500 DF personnel within a single term, on a pro-rata basis given current numbers of 7,500 against funds allocated for 9,500 allow for increase without cost in first few years, thereafter incurring allocation per CODF. [46745/26]
View answerAs Minister for Defence, I am fully committed to supporting and strengthening recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF).
The strength of the PDF stood at 7,741 personnel on the 30 April 2026, the latest date for which this figure is available. This represents a year-on-year increase of more than 200 personnel.
2025 saw growth in the overall strength of the PDF with a total of 790 inductions achieved - the highest in twenty years - and the number of personnel who discharged was at its lowest level in more than five years. The aim is to continue to build on the expansion in PDF numbers achieved to date and I have set a target of 850 inductions for 2026.
A draft Strategic Workforce Plan prepared by the Defence Forces has recently been submitted to me, as Minister for Defence, for consideration. The draft plan, recommendations, and modelling tool will be considered over the coming weeks.
The aim of this process is to provide a pathway to the achievement of a strength of 11,500, inclusive of civilian personnel, commensurate with Level of Ambition 2.
Resourcing of the salary costs associated with increasing numbers as they arise will be a matter for the annual estimates process of Vote 36 Defence.
