Naval Service
Dail Éireann — 2025-12-16
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

I appreciate that maybe the numbers look small, but this year we had the highest number of direct entry recruitments for specialists in the Naval Service since 2019. While the numbers are smaller, obviously, we are moving in the right direction. There were four direct entries to the Naval Service for electrical engineers, one direct entrant for marine engineering and two direct entries as operational branch officers. We then have Naval Service direct entry for hull artificer and Naval Service direct entry for radio or radar technician.
We are starting to see an increase in the number of specialist positions there, but, again, there is more work we need to do. I fully appreciate that.
There is a new strategy being worked on looking at the Defence Forces overall. The Defence Forces and the Chief of Staff are working on a strategy that will set out how we will achieve our overall targets and objectives, not just for the Naval Service but also for the overall force. I will work closely with them in the new year to see if we need to do more. A lot has happened in response to challenges that may have been precluding us from increasing our numbers. If there is more that can be done and that we should be doing, I will focus on that. The investment, including the very clear investment in our Naval Service, will, I hope, encourage more people to join the Naval Service.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-12-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:28+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-16