Irish Defence Forces: Recruitment & Retention Drive | News Update

The Irish Naval Service is preparing to launch a new recruitment campaign as it aims to significantly increase its personnel numbers in 2025. The service is on course to recruit around 160 sailors this year, representing a rise of more than 60% compared to the previous year’s intake, according to official figures.

The planned recruitment drive comes amid ongoing challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels within the Defence Forces. While recruitment has improved in recent years, the Naval Service, like other branches, continues to experience net losses as experienced personnel abandon for opportunities in the private sector. According to the Irish Examiner, private industry is actively recruiting highly-trained members of the Defence Forces, effectively capturing the return on investment made by the taxpayer in their training.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has consistently argued that effective workforce planning relies more on predicting staff departures than solely focusing on recruitment. This approach, exemplified by the British Navy’s practice of offering officers short, medium, and full-term career options, allows for targeted retention and efficient allocation of expensive training resources. A former naval officer, speaking to the Irish Examiner, described how this system allowed the British Navy to plan discharges and concentrate training on personnel intended for longer service.

As of December 2024, the Naval Service had 719 active personnel, falling short of its establishment of 1,094. The reserve component also remains below its target, with 77 reservists compared to an establishment of 200. The Naval Service, founded in 1946, currently operates with eight ships, though only four were available for operations as of March 2025. Its primary roles include fisheries protection within Ireland’s exclusive economic zone, sea patrol, surveillance, and preventing smuggling. Occasionally, the service supports UN peacekeeping missions and humanitarian efforts.

The international ship prefix for Naval Service vessels is LÉ, or Long Éireannach, meaning Irish Ship. Vessels are traditionally named using female names drawn from Celtic mythology and Irish folklore.

Commodore Darragh Kirwan currently serves as the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service (FOCNS). The service’s base is located in Haulbowline, County Cork.