Defence Forces 'needs at least 4,000 more personnel to be able to operate effectively'

All three service branches of the Defence Forces are understaffed, according to new figures detailing the shortfall in each. File picture: Mark Stedman/RollingNews

Staffing levels in Ireland's Defence Forces are 4,000 below what experts say is the absolute minimum number of personnel needed for the country's military to operate effectively.

The Defence Forces has been battling a recruitment and rentention crisis to the last number of years and figures obtained by the Irish Examiner show there are now just 7,600 trained personnel. However, the actual ‘effective strength’ is likely to be less as the official figure of 7,600 includes those on long-term sick leave, maternity leave, career breaks, or on permanent leave as they await their official discharge.