Written Answers - Defence Forces Strength Wednesday, 9 June 2010

Dáil Eireann Debate Vol. 711 No. 4 Page of 272

  267.  Deputy Deirdre Clune      asked the Minister for Defence      the number of members of the Defence Forces who have retired, resigned or left for other reasons for the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24367/10]

  268.  Deputy Deirdre Clune      asked the Minister for Defence      the breakdown of the number of members of the Defence Forces who have retired, resigned or left for other reasons for the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010, by rank in tabular form; the number of persons who have left the Defence Forces over the same period on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24368/10]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen):    I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.

[961]The number of Defence Forces personnel who have retired, resigned or left the organisation between 2008 and 30 April 2010, the latest date for which figures are currently available, is set out in the tabular statements according to rank and County in the case of the PDF and rank and Brigade in the case of the RDF.

Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of Budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies. I am advised that, at this time, the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas.

  269.  Deputy Deirdre Clune      asked the Minister for Defence      the strength of the Defence Forces for each year between 2006 and 2010; the number of recruits that joined the Defence Forces each year between 2006 and 2010; the number of those persons currently retiring or resigning from the Defence Forces that will be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/10]

[963]Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen):    The strength of the Defence Forces for each year between 2006 and 2009 and as at 30 April 2010, the latest date for which figures are currently available, is set out in the tabular statement. The number of recruits that joined the Defence Forces for the same period is also set out.

Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of Budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

Targeted recruitment will be carried out in 2010 to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces. In this regard, I have recently approved the recruitment of 40 recruits to the Naval Service. In addition, the Military authorities will shortly advertise for some limited recruitment to the Army.

In terms of the Reserve Defence Force, limited recruitment is continuing subject to the overall strength level that existed at 1 January 2009 (7,671) not being exceeded. The limited recruitment will also be monitored and kept under review in the light of the uptake of paid training within the RDF and the future budgetary provision available to the Department. Work has also commenced on a Value for Money Review of the Reserve and the findings of this Review will, inter alia, inform the future plans for the Reserve. I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies.

I am advised that, at this time, the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas.

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Last Updated: 12/01/2011 13:46:48

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