It is looking for 600 general service personnel for the Permanent Defense Forces this year and a further 850 in 2017.

The army is also targeting women, currently only 6pc of staff are female.

“In the White Paper, the government undertook to increase female participation at all ranks," said Defense Minister Simon Coveney.

“I am committed to achieving that and the recruitment campaign we are launching today represents the first step on that journey.”

Applicants will undergo both fitness assessments and interviews.