The Minister of State with responsibility for the Defence Forces has denied that it is not fit for purpose.
Paul Kehoe said he acknowledges that there are challenges but he said he is addressing the issues.
He was responding to a report by RTÉ’s Prime Time highlighting staff shortages which said more than 2,000 personnel have left the Defence Forces since 2013, leaving many important and skilled positioned unfilled.
Recent figures seen by the programme show that the number of officers available for duty, particularly in specialist areas such as bomb disposal, are far below their establishment levels.
For the month of March the number of officers available for operational duties in the 2nd Brigade was 36% of the recommended level.
Pay was also highlighted, with enlisted recruits said to be amongst the lowest paid public employees.
Speaking on the programme, Mr Kehoe said this year saw the largest intake of cadets in decades and he hopes to continue that level of intake next year.
He said there are challenges around traffic controllers and pilots but there are a number of areas that he is looking at to bring the Aer Corps to full capacity.
Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett said he has a strategy for recruitment with cadets in training now to help fill the gaps.
