Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
154. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Defence her plans to achieve a greater balance of numbers across the three services in the Defence Forces; the measures to be taken in this regard, specifically for the Naval Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12501/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Government published the Defence Policy Review 2024 - Adjusting and affirming our Defence Policy in an era of change - in July 2024.
This review, which lays out Government Policy to 2028, reaffirms, and where appropriate, revises our Defence Policy and the posture of the Defence Forces in response to the prevailing security environment and the wider national and international defence landscape.
Our overarching Strategic Level of Ambition for Defence is to defend Irish sovereignty, protect Irish Citizens and secure Irish interests in support of Irish society, the Irish economy, our collective well-being and our territorial integrity.
One of the key priorities to 2028 is a focus on maritime security. In that context, I understand that my colleague, Minister McEntee, will bring a National Maritime Security Strategy to Government shortly, which will inform future direction in this key area.
It is very positive to see that interest in a career in the Defence Forces continues to grow, with a total of 16,510 applications received in 2025. The challenge now for the Defence Forces is to convert those applications into inductions. The Defence Forces are currently formulating a Strategic Workforce Plan to set out current personnel and skill sets and to map out proposals for the achievement of a strength of 11,500, including civilian personnel, as proposed in the Commission on Defence Forces Report.
We accept that there are particular challenges in the Naval Service in terms of regenerating the service. While recruitment and retention of personnel in 2025 has been positive - I am advised that the strength of the Naval Service, as at 31 December 2025, stood at 807 personnel, representing a 12% increase on the total of 719 personnel recorded at the end of 2024 - a wholistic plan for the future of the Naval Service is required. My colleague, Minister McEntee, is due to receive a Naval Service Regeneration Plan from the Chief of Staff setting out a pathway for the future direction of the service in the coming weeks.
Before concluding, I would like to highlight a number of measures taken by Government to date Government to address recruitment and retention. Measures include an increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles that had a recruitment age below that, 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 for a up to 2029; the application of the Working Time Directive across the Defence Forces in January 2025, subject to certain exemptions; and the extension of the provision of private secondary healthcare to all members of the Permanent Defence Force. There has also been significant progress on pay with the most recent increase paid in February of this year.
