Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
184. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the current shortfall in staffing levels across the Defence Forces; the timeframe to reach the targeting staffing levels; and the way in which the staffing shortfall impacts on our national security. [12370/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra203. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence by how much short of the establishment figure the combined current strength of the various branches of the Defence Forces is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12469/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra231. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the way her Department will close the gap between the current strength of the Defence Forces and the establishment strength of the Defence Forces, with a 2000 personnel shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12526/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 203 and 231 together.
One of my key priorities, as Minister for Defence, is to increase Defence Forces staffing levels.
A range of measures have been undertaken to tackle recruitment and retention challenges over the last number of years. As a result, we have seen a stabilisation in strength in the Defence Forces in 2024 and a modest increase in 2025. I want to ensure that we continue on that trajectory.
As of the 31 December 2025, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 7,756 personnel; an increase of almost 200 personnel on the total of 7,557 recorded at the end of 2024.
I want to build on the progress achieved in 2025 and have set a target of 850 inductions for 2026.
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. It demonstrates that the key enabling measures which the Government has introduced to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment are yielding results.
The challenge now for the Defence Forces to convert those applications into inductions. The Defence Forces are currently formulating a Strategic Workforce Plan that will map out existing personnel and skills sets and the pathway to achieving 11,500 personnel, including civilian personnel, beyond the current establishment of 9,739. The Strategic Workforce Plan is expected to be submitted by the end of April.
The key enabling measures undertaken to support and drive Defence Forces recruitment and retention include: increases in the maximum ages of recruitment and retirement respectively; the extension of private secondary healthcare to all personnel; and the application of the provisions of the Working Time Directive 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 while the Naval Service tax credit has been extended for a further five years.
There continues to be significant progress on pay with all personnel benefiting from a pay award delivered earlier this month with a further increase due in June.
The Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston Barracks has been established and will facilitate the induction of up to 900 recruits per annum when fully operational. An allowance for Officer Instructors was introduced last summer targeted at increasing training capacity and upskilling these Officers.
Underpinning these and other measures, I ensured that Budget 2026 provided a record allocation of €1.49 billion for the Defence Sector, an increase of €145 million on 2025. These funds include provision for the recruitment of a net 400 additional PDF members per annum.
While recruitment and retention remains challenging, significant strides continue to be made on a number of fronts and the allocation of record levels of expenditure is illustrative of my commitment to bolster recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces and, by extension, the security of the state.
Question No. 185 answered with Question No. 181.
