Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
144. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Naval Service; and the status of the P60 fleet extension programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53892/26]
View answerAs Minister for Defence, I am fully committed to supporting the Naval Service to increase numbers and strengthen the Defence Forces.
It was positive to see the growth in Naval Service numbers last year, with 169 inductions, a 67% increase on inductions in 2024, with a further 75 inductions achieved to the end of May. I understand from the military authorities that the strength of the Naval Service, as at 31 May 2026, stood at 855 personnel out of an establishment of 1,094.
Indeed, applications for the Naval Service have grown substantially this year with 2,172 applications received as of the 31 May, 64% more than the 1325 received by the end of May 2025. Application numbers for Direct Entry specialist competitions are positive, and has resulted in growth in specialist recruitment. In 2025 there were 24 Direct Entry inductions into specialist roles in the Naval Service- the highest annual total recorded since the commencement of Direct Entry recruitment. The 397 specialists applications up to May far exceeds the 224 for the same period in 2025.
Departures have been steadily decreasing each year with over 100 in 2021 and 2022, down to 47 in 2025 and just 21 to end May this year.
Recruitment to the Naval Service is presently ongoing via a wide range of pathways including general service recruitment, re-entry schemes and eight Naval Service specific direct entry competitions. Figures provided to me by the Defence Forces for the year to date are encouraging.
The key enabling measures which the Government has introduced to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment are yielding results. These measures include: -an increase in the maximum recruitment ages to 39 and to 50 for Direct Entry Officer specialists;
an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62;
a doubling of the Naval Service Patrol Duty allowance after 10 days;
the extension of the Naval Service Tax Credit until 2029;
the application of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces in January 2025, subject to certain exemptions;
the extension of the provision of private secondary healthcare to all members of the Permanent Defence Force; and;
progress on pay with the most recent increase awarded last month.
I recently visited the Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston Barracks, an impressive facility which is under expansion and will eventually facilitate the induction of up to 900 recruits per annum, for all three services.
Following investment of over €8.8 million, I officially opened the refurbished Block 4 accommodation building in the Naval Service Base, Haulbowline, which will accommodate an additional 74 personnel.
The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight commissioned vessels. These eight vessels consist of two P50 class large patrol vessels, four P60 class offshore patrol vessels, and two P70 inshore patrol vessels. I am advised by the military authorities that there are four vessels available for operations on a rotation basis. Operational availability is managed through a strategic rotation which takes account of maintenance, crew training and rest periods. This approach ensures a continuous and sustainable naval presence in Irish waters. In addition to at sea monitoring, the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline carries out remote monitoring twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Capital investment in the Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of the two P50 class vessels has been completed and planning has recently commenced on a similar programme for the four P60 class vessels. The two P70 class Inshore Patrol Vessels, purchased from the New Zealand Government, were commissioned into State service as LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait in 2024.
The Commission on the Defence Forces specifically recommended a programme of naval vessel replacement under Level of Ambition 2. This recommendation was accepted in principle by Government. As set out in the Update to the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces, decisions on the shape and timing of the Naval vessel replacement to ensure a balanced fleet by early in the next decade will be made and subsequently progressed from 2026 and beyond.
Significant progress has been made on a number of fronts and the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector coupled with the ongoing initiatives I have outlined here, is illustrative of my intent in this regard.
While recruitment and retention of personnel has been positive, I believe a holistic plan for the future of the Naval Service is required. I am shortly due to receive a Naval Service Regeneration Plan from the Chief of Staff, which will set out a pathway for the future direction of the service.
