Defence loses €1m as 180 recruits join force

Some 180 recruits are about to be taken into the Army just as the overall funding for Department of Defence will be cut by €1m, next year.

Defence Minister Simon Coveney said the recruits, due to start at the end of the year, are in addition to the 220 currently in training.

The intake is to ensure the total strength of the Defence Forces is kept at 9,500, the minister said at his briefing.