Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:340. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces in last 50 years and the reason it has changed to its current figure. [12451/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 February 2026
Ceisteanna (340)
Freagraí scríofa
It has not been possible to provide a response within the time frame available. I will respond to the Deputy when the information requested is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.
I refer to the above-referenced Parliamentary Question and my original reply stating that it was not possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available- I am now in a position to do so.
The following table provides figures for the establishment strength of the Permanent Defence Force over the period of the last fifty years:
|
Year |
Establishment Figure |
|
1977 - 1978 |
16,497 |
|
1979 - 1995 |
17,978 |
|
1996 - 1999 |
11,500 |
|
2000 - 2011 |
10,500 |
|
2012 - 2022 |
9,500 |
|
2023 - 2024 |
9,600 |
|
2025 – Present |
9,739 |
Arising from the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability that will require 11,500 personnel, including a civilian component, by 2028.
At the request of Military management and in order to progress the implementation of the recommendations of this Report, the establishment of the Defence Forces has been increased incrementally since 2023, from 9,500 to 9,739, through the creation of additional positions to be filled through a combination of recruitment, promotion and reassignment.