Staffing crisis gives defence €90m surplus

Junior defence minister Jack de Vries told parliament on Wednesday evening that he has a budget surplus of €90m this year because of job vacancies that have not been filled, report various newspapers.

The armed forces are facing a recruitment crisis with some 7,000 job vacancies.
De Vries, who will decide what to do with the remaining budget by the end of the year, told MPs he is doing all he can to attract personnel.
For example the Volkskrant reports that the defence department is prepared to offer aspiring pilots free eye laser treatment if they sign on. Other incentives include a fitness club subscription to get potential recruits fit and the appointment of three imams to encourage Muslims to join up.