Govt plot ‘regeneration’ Navy plan with more vessels & patrols amid huge staff numbers turnaround & ‘positive’ growth

A NEW “regeneration” plan to boost the Irish Navy is being drawn up and will be published soon.

It will mean more vessels, better training and more patrols to stop drug smugglers and protect national infrastructure.

There has been a remarkable turnaround in naval staff numbers, with more people joining and fewer leaving.

Defence Minister Helen McEntee attributes it to better pay and conditions.

She said: “It was positive to see the growth in Naval Service numbers last year with 162 inductions, a 67 per cent increase on inductions in 2024, with a further 79 inductions achieved by the end of June.

“I understand from the military authorities that the strength of the Naval Service as at 30 June 2026 stood at 848 personnel out of an establishment of 1,094.

“Applications for the Naval Service have grown substantially this year with 2,421 applications received as of 30 June, 52 per cent more than the 1,593 received by the end of June 2026.

“Application numbers for Direct Entry specialist competitions are positive and has 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 485 specialist applications up to June far exceeds the 279 for the same period in 2025.”

The Minister confirmed that departures from the Navy have been steadily decreasing each year, with over 100 in 2021 and 2022, down to 47 in 2025, and just 23 to the end of June this year.

She said the application numbers right across the board for jobs in the Irish navy this year are “encouraging”.

Minister McEntee added: “While recruitment and retention of personnel has been positive, a holistic plan for the future of the Naval Service is required.

“I am shortly due to receive a Naval Service Regeneration Plan from the Chief of Staff which will set out a pathway for the future direction of the service.”

She was responding to a parliamentary question on the issue from the Dundalk Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O’Murchu.

The Irish Navy currently has eight vessels with four regularly at sea. Some are being refitted.

The Report on the Future of the Irish Defence Forces recommended that the navy should have nine modern ships, eventually increasing over time to 12.