Defence Forces numbers pass 8,000 with further recruitment planned, says chief

Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy told the annual conference of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco) that planning is underway for 'further increased' recruitment in 2027. File photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

The strength of the Defence Forces has passed the 8,000 mark, the first time since January 2023, the Chief of Staff has said.

Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy said following a “prolonged period of declining strength” there have been 17 consecutive months of growth, up to the end of September.

At the annual conference of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco), he said planning is underway for “further increased” recruitment in 2027.

The strength of the Defence Forces (DF) stood at around 7,500 in 2024 and hit 7,756 at the close of 2025.

The current strength is still 1,700 short of the establishment strength of DF (circa 9,700) and 3,500 below what the 2022 report of the Commission on the Defence Forces recommends by 2028 (11,500).

During the 1980s, the DF overall strength stood at 11,500.

Lt Gen. Mulcahy said: “Following a prolonged period of declining strength, we have now seen sustained recovery in personnel numbers, with 17 consecutive months of growth recorded up to September 2026, where our strength passed 8,000 for the first time since January 2023.” 

In his first address to Raco since being appointed chief of staff, he said the recruitment drive is continuing and welcomed the record defence provision under Budget 2027 of €1.7bn, up from €1.49bn in 2026.

He said this represents “significant progress” and both he, and the Department of Defence secretary general Jacqui McCrum, would continue to advocate for additional resources.

On the pension issue facing recruits post-2013, he said it is important that the gap between the mandatory retirement age, of 62 and the state pension age of 66 be closed.

The Chief of Staff said this is a “significant barrier to retention of post-2013 officers”. He said it is likely to grow more complex in the years ahead as half of Raco members are post-2013.

In his address, Raco president Lt Col Martin Ryan said that over the past four conferences, the association had highlighted “deteriorating officer strength” in station at unit level throughout the Defence Forces.

“This year brings some improvement, but the position remains unacceptable,” he said. “Officer strength in the Infantry Battalions has risen from 47% last year to 55% this year. The position at Captain rank is most alarming: it has fallen from 43% to just 42%."

“When you, as Chief of Staff, rightly demand accountability from commanders and unit officers, we cannot ignore what these figures mean for oversight, governance, risk, employee welfare and safety across our units.”

• Cormac O’Keeffe, security correspondent