Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
32. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the position regarding any initiatives that seek to encourage both recruitment and retention of personnel in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30440/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra35. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the actions his Department is taking to improve recruitment and retention rates within the Defence Forces. [31255/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 35 together.
The military authorities have advised me that as of 30 April 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,512.
Figures provided for 2024 and to date in 2025 indicate a stabilisation in the strength. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years. While it is positive that numbers are stabilising, I want to see greater progress in recruitment of personnel and I have been very clear with the Chief of Staff of my ambitions in that regard. The Defence Forces have further advised that they are targeting 800 inductions at a minimum for this year.
Interest in a career in the Defence Forces is very strong and grew significantly again in 2024 with a total applications showing an increase of 33% across all competitions compared to the previous year. This trend has continued into 2025.
I have acknowledged in the past the recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces. Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures to drive Defence Forces recruitment. These include an increase in recruitment age to 39 years for those roles that had a recruitment age below that, and to 50 years for Direct Entry Specialists. The mandatory retirement age has been increased to 62. Private secondary healthcare has been rolled out to all personnel and the provisions of the Working Time Directive have been applied 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 and the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years.
A Joint Induction Training Centre has been established in Gormanston, and the military authorities have advised that when fully operational, it will enable induction training to be provided to 900 recruits per annum.
There has been significant progress on pay in recent years. Recruits on completion of training now start at €41,465 inclusive of Military Service Allowance in Year 1 which represents an increase of 49% over the past 6 years. School leaver Cadets upon commissioning earn €45,341 inclusive of Military Service Allowance, whilst in full time education, while the pay of Graduate Cadets now commences on €50,667 inclusive of Military Service Allowance. There is further pay increase of 1% due under the current pay agreement in August while several items are being negotiated under the local bargaining provision.
Budget 2025 provided a record allocation of €1.35 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €100 million. In relation to specific recruitment targets, this allocation provides for the recruitment of at least a net additional 400 personnel per annum.
This week Government agreed to my proposal to extend the existing service commitment scheme for Air Corps pilots to air traffic control (ATC) personnel.
Whilst there are still undoubtedly challenges, significant progress has been made on a number of fronts and the allocation of record levels of expenditure to the Defence sector is illustrative of my intent in this regard.
