Naval Service applications grow but numbers remain short of target

The LÉ George Bernard Shaw docked at the Irish Naval Base in Haulbowline. The strength of the Naval Service is still 239 below the target number, and just four of the State's eight commissioned vessels are available for operations on a rotational basis. Picture: Noel Sweeney

The number of people applying to join the Naval Service has increased by 64% in the past year.

However, the strength of the Naval Service is still 239 below the target number, and just four of the State's eight commissioned vessels are available for operations on a rotational basis.

Defence minister Helen McEntee has said it has been "positive to see" the level of growth in numbers in recent years, with 169 inductions last year, a 67% increase on inductions in 2024, with a further 75 inductions achieved to the end of May this year.

Ms McEntee said several enabling measures, including an increase in the mandatory retirement age to 62 and an increase in the maximum recruitment ages to 39 and to 50 for direct entry officer specialists is "yielding results" across the defence forces.

"Indeed, applications for the Naval Service have grown substantially this year with 2,172 applications received as of May 31, 64% more than the 1325 received by the end of May 2025. Application numbers for direct entry specialist competitions are positive and have resulted in growth in specialist recruitment.

"In 2025, there were 24 direct entry inductions into specialist roles in the Naval Service- the highest annual total recorded since the commencement of direct entry recruitment. The 397 specialists' applications up to May far exceed the 224 for the same period in 2025," Ms McEntee said in response to a parliamentary question tabled by Cork North Central TD Padraig O'Sullivan.

She added that departures have been steadily decreasing each year, with over 100 in 2021 and 2022, down to 47 in 2025 and just 21 to end May this year.

However, the minister confirmed that the strength of the Naval Service at the end of May stood at 855 personnel out of an establishment of 1,094, which is the number that it should be at.

A recent Commission on the Defence Forces report set ambitious targets, which would see a new Naval Service establishment figure of 1,794 by 2028.

The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight commissioned vessels. These eight vessels consist of two P50 class large patrol vessels, four P60 class offshore patrol vessels, and two P70 inshore patrol vessels.

In 2023, it had been reported that just two Irish Navy ships were available for offshore patrols, with the Defence Forces citing a continued loss of experienced personnel and issues recruiting new staff.

Four vessels are now available for operations on a rotation basis.

"Operational availability is managed through a strategic rotation which takes account of maintenance, crew training and rest periods," Ms McEntee said.