Figures released today show that Defence Force numbers continue to drop despite recent recruitment drives.
There are 100 fewer defence forces personnel now than at the end of 2015 despite the recruitment of 590 General Service Recruits and 100 cadets in 2016.
Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin, who will represent a large number of Laois voters as part of the new Kildare South constituency, commented on these figures today saying, “It is clear from these new figures that excessive recruiting has been implemented in a misguided attempt to solve the retention problem in our Defence Forces. The new policy of taking in massive classes of 100 cadets has not worked as it puts strain on resources resulting in a shortage of expertise in other areas.”
Deputy O’Loughlin who is Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Equality, also highlighted the continued low number of female members of the force. “Of 7,254 Army personnel, only 476 are women. Of 1,087 members of the Naval Service, only 65 are women. Of 703 Air Corps members, only 34 are women.
“I am very concerned that the level of female participation in the Defence Forces remains so low, despite the money that has been pumped into advertising campaigns to encourage women to join. The Minister needs to look at why the gender ratio remains so skewed in the Defence Forces and at implementing new mentoring programmes for women within the Defence Forces to assist in career development.”
Deputy O’Loughlin went on to say that, “The Defence Forces has traditionally been seen as an excellent career path for young people. However, retaining force strength is becoming a greater issue all the time as members leave to pursue more financially lucrative options with better work-life balance.
“This trend needs to be reversed if we are to keep our approved establishment strength at 9500.”
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