Seán Power
Question:2 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to improve the age profile of our Defence Forces. [17494/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Review.
Peadar Clohessy
Question:3 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence if his Department intends to act on the recommendations of the Price Waterhouse report with regard to the number of army barracks' indicated to be closed in the Southern Command; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17532/95]
Máirín Quill
Question:10 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Defence the current plans for the Army School of Music; if the four Command Army Bands will be retained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17530/95]
Seán Power
Question:13 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence the studies, if any, that have been carried out to evaluate the socio-economic effects of the closure of a barracks on an area; and if he will make the results of these studies available. [17502/95]
Eric J. Byrne
Question:15 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the army housing, if any, expected to become vacant as a result of the proposed organisation of the Defence Forces; the arrangements, if any, he intends making for their disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17518/95]
Helen Keogh
Question:18 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, his Department has to use the Curragh Camp as a training centre. [17534/95]
Ivor Callely
Question:71 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the total number of personnel in our permanent Defence Forces; the desired total number; the next recruitment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17386/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3, 10, 13, 15, 18 and 71 together.
In July of this year the Government announced its response to the report of the efficiency audit group on its review of the Defence Forces and published a document detailing the EAG report and setting out the Government's approach to the reorganisation. This report followed a lengthy analysis and consultative process on all aspects of the organisation of the Defence Forces. The report was prepared on the basis of the revised roles of the Defence Forces.
The Government indicated it accepted the general thrust of the EAG report. It was also stated that an implementation group would be established to draw up detailed and fully costed proposals to implement a first phase plan covering the next three years. This plan would be based on the reorganisation of the Defence Forces on the basis of a three brigade structure with a manpower level of 11,500. The strength of the permanent Defence Force was 12,799 on 31 October. The Government's objective is a properly structured, well equipped Defence Force capable of meeting the role assigned to it by Government in the most efficient and effective way.
On the question of accommodation, there are no plans to close any barracks. The Government has stated that separate studies on the issue of the rationalisation of the Defence Forces facilities will be undertaken as part of the overall EAG implementation process. A review of military accommodation requirements will be carried out during phase one of the implementation period. The economic and social implications of barrack closure will, of course, be taken into account in these studies. Since 1988 there has been a policy of disposing of married quarters which are outside barracks to their occupants. The terms of the scheme are similar to the terms of the local authority schemes. The vast bulk of married quarters have now been disposed of.
One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the efficiency audit group was the development of a manpower policy with an emphasis on lowering the age profile. The reduction in the manpower level to 11,500 will be achieved through the adoption of a voluntary early retirement scheme which will be balanced with a policy of recruitment of young personnel to achieve the desired lower age profile of the membership of the Defence Forces.
With regard to the Army School of Music, the Government has already stated that the recommendation by Price Waterhouse, the consultants engaged by the efficiency audit group to carry out a review on its behalf, to reduce the number of bands is unacceptable. The Government is committed to ensuring that any necessary reforms will be implemented in a planned and sensitive manner and that due cognisance will be taken of the role of the Army School of Music and the bands. I expect any recommendations put forward will reflect these views.
The measures to be introduced are important and represent a positive step for the Defence Forces. One of the most important aspects of the reorganisation of the structure of the Defence Forces is the development of a well resourced and cohesive training policy. This is a matter on which I expect to receive recommendations from the implementation group and to which I will give careful consideration. The majority of military training establishments are currently located in the Curragh and while I do not wish to anticipate anything contained in the recommendations of the implementation group, the likelihood is that the Curragh will be developed as the main training centre for the Defence Forces.
Consultation is a prerequisite for successful reform and in that context, as I have stressed on many occasions in the recent past, a consultative approach has been adopted. The representative associations are involved in an ongoing process with a sub-committee of the Defence Forces conciliation and arbitration scheme.
I expect to receive shortly, the implementation group's detailed proposals for the first phase of the plan. I will be giving careful consideration to those proposals before submitting them to Government.
I am disappointed with the Minister's response. Earlier this year we were promised a restructuring of the Defence Forces, which we all accept is necessary, and central to that restructuring are the voluntary early retirement package and recruitment. These promises were made by the Minister and his predecessor, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Coveney. It is almost the end of November and we are still no clearer as to when this scheme will be announced and when recruitment will begin.
The uncertainty among members of our Defence Forces has created a serious morale problem, which is understandable considering how long the matter has dragged on. I ask the Minister to come clean and tell us his plans. Is he having difficulties in funding this early retirement package or is the Minister for Finance digging in his heels?
Last July, the Minister gave the Government approach and set up the implementation group. There is no reason it should take this long to report its findings. I ask the Minister to fight at the Cabinet table to ensure moneys are provided to bring about this necessary restructuring.
I wish to correct a statement made by Deputy Power. I have had regular contact with members of the Defence Forces and I do not see any morale problems. Statements about closures of barracks are being made to cause this type of fear.
I live among them.
First there were the proposed closures of both the Army bands and the Equitation School and we got over those problems. The closure of barracks then came up. A newspaper report after the conference last year — Fianna Fáil was in Government at the time — stated that 17 barracks would be closed. That figure went down to nine barracks after the conference this year.
I announced proposals in July — most people are on holiday during August — and the implementation group set up its structures. This is the first time that a major reform of the Defence Forces has been carried out. I have been asked to guarantee that there will be consultation. I have given that guarantee and I am satisfied this consultation process is ongoing.
I have received an assurance from the implementation group that it will be able to present its plan to me shortly. It has to consult, accept and receive the various proposals put forward by the different subgroups. Changing a five brigade structure to a three brigade structure is not easy. We must also produce a voluntary early retirement scheme and work on that matter is ongoing in consultation, naturally, with the Department of Finance.
I announced the details of the scheme and said it would be done in consultation with the two representative associations, PDFORRA and RACO. The voluntary early retirement terms then have to be offered to their members. This is not a compulsory scheme. When these proposals are presented to the members of the Defence Forces, a certain number will retire while others will be recruited. By doing this, the Army manpower level will be reduced to 11,500 while the age profile problem which Deputy Power referred to will also be addressed.
The first major review of the Defence Forces has been conducted in the space of four months. I intend to get this matter right. If it takes another four weeks to do this, then so be it. It is better to do it that way and have proper consultation to allow people to have their say and deal with their various queries. We should not be deflected from the real job by listening to wild statements and allegations about barracks closing which generates fear in families, who may have mortgages to pay and children in school, when there is no basis for them.
I am satisfied that we are on track. I thought we would have had the final report two or three weeks ago but what does that matter if I am satisfied we will get it right?
I put down the question following newspaper reports and representations made to me. The Minister must admit that families of army pesonnel in the barracks mentioned for closure are anxious about the matter. I am disappointed that the report was not issued earlier but I welcome what the Minister said. Will representatives of RACO and PDFORRA be involved in the discussions?
Yes. There have been ongoing discussions with PDFORRA and RACO. I made it clear that if they have concerns or worries the implementation group or one of its sub-groups will discuss those with them. There will not be any mention of barrack closures in the report as that is not on the agenda and would be contrary to the Government's decision not to close any barracks. I cannot say if some future Government will review that. All I can do is state the present Government's position. Barracks will not be closed in Clonmel, Mullingar, Fermoy or anywhere else. The implementation group cannot bring forward proposals to close barracks because it is not entitled to do so. Its proposals will be on restructuring, that is a three brigade structure as distinct from a five brigade structure, a voluntary early retirement scheme and the age profile.
I understand that Opposition spokespersons will question statements on reports and I am delighted to have the opportunity to refute those statements. As the Deputy rightly said, they cause a great deal of concern to many families. There is no proposal to close any barracks and I ask people making such statements, in the interests of the families involved, to refrain from doing so. It will not be part and parcel of the implementation group's proposals.
The Minister has more or less accused us of making wild statements. As Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney stated in an interview that barracks would be closed. Following public outcry the Government changed tack and said there would not be any closures within three years.
That is not correct.
He said there would not be barrack closures within three years.
There was never a proposal to close barracks.
The previous Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, stated barracks would be closed. That is where the fear originated and the Government did its best to try to stamp it out. I hope we can allay people's fears and allow them plan their future. The sooner the Minister brings forward concrete proposals the better. Will the Minister bring forward these proposals this year?
I do not know what Deputy Coveney said. I can only state the Government's position. The procedure to be followed is that the implementation group will prepare its report and present it to me, and I will examine it and see that it conforms with the Government's decisions. If I am satisfied with it I will present it to the Government for approval and then it will be implemented. I hope to receive the report within the next week or two.
The House is the correct forum in which to ask questions. My job is to answer them and allay fears.