Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-02
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Simon Harris (FG), Wicklow

I take that point because I hear it often. You see it in Garda numbers as well - the number of people who initially apply and how "serious" the applications are if only a very small percentage turns into inductions. There must be something in it, in the sense that the gap between the level of applications and inductions is very high. The Defence Forces is working through its strategic workforce plan to seek to make improvements on that.
My own sense, for what it is worth, is that there can be people who apply at a moment in time. There are a lot of opportunities out there for people now and if you do not strike while the iron is hot and get them in while the interest is there, you can lose them. Faster processing and processes are important. Regardless of applications, inductions are thankfully rising. The size of the Permanent Defence Force is growing again.
The issue the Deputy raised about recruiting from abroad is one I do not want to give a knee-jerk response to on the floor of the Dáil because it deserves policy consideration and the views of the Minister for Defence, but I will certainly ask that she revert to the Deputy on it.
Technology is also going to change security and defence, the skill sets that we will need in our Defence Forces and the roles of people in Óglaigh na hÉireann. The opportunities that may exist there and the careers that may present are also worth considering, but we will keep in touch on this.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-02/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:52:14+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-02