Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 7

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Review.

Bernard Allen

Question:

34 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence when the Price Waterhouse consultants' review of the Air Corps and Naval Service will be completed and published; his proposals, if any, for consultation with the representative associations on these reports; and if he will make a statement on the low staff levels at certain grades in both services which are causing concern and may lead to recruitment outside the service and the State. [4995/98]

Michael Creed

Question:

67 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Defence the expected date of completion of the work by the consultants on the review of the Air Corps and Naval Service; when he will publish the completed reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4804/98]

Dan Neville

Question:

78 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Defence when the consultants' reviews of the Air Corps and Naval Service will be completed; the proposals, if any, for consultation with the representative associations on these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4858/98]

Jack Wall

Question:

83 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the position of the Price Waterhouse report on the Air Corps and Naval Services; and when will the report be completed and published. [5060/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence whether he has concluded his perusal of the Price Waterhouse report; if he has decided on the implementation of, or exclusion of, recommendations in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4991/98]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

148 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence when the Price Waterhouse review of the Air Corps and Naval Service will be completed and published; the proposals, if any, he has for consultation with the representative associations on these reports; and if he will make a statement on the low staff levels at certain grades in both services which are causing concern and which may lead to recruitment outside the service and the State. [5266/98]

David Stanton

Question:

156 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if the consultancy study on the Naval Service and Air Corps has been completed; and, if so, when it will be published. [5169/98]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

189 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence when it is expected the consultants' reviews of the Air Corps and Naval Service will be completed, the proposals, if any, for consultation with the representative associations on this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5224/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 67, 78, 83, 105, 148, 156 and 189 together.

The Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan, 1996-1998, provided for special studies to be carried out on the Air Corps and the Naval Service. In July 1996, the Efficiency Audit Group engaged Price Waterhouse Management Consultants to conduct special studies into the Air Corps and the Naval Service. The consultants subsequently furnished a preliminary draft report to the Efficiency Audit Group. This draft report highlighted issues which required to be studied in greater detail and identified a number of new issues which required examination. As a consequence, rather than publishing a report that merely identified problems, it was decided that the consultants should further examine these problems in order to produce a report that was as comprehensive as possible and which could serve as the blueprint for the development of these important services in the years ahead.

I understand the consultants have recently completed their study and are now in the process of submitting their final report to the Efficiency Audit Group. Any matters arising from this review that come within the scope of representation will, of course, be the subject of full consultation with the representative associations. Once again let me say that it is my firm intention to publish this report at the earliest possible juncture.

With regard to staffing levels, the position is that both the Air Corps and the Naval Service have lost members to other employments. This situation is not unusual in times of economic buoyancy. The Department will be advertising shortly for the recruitment of watchkeeping officers for the Naval Service where there is a shortage of these officers at present. The recruitment competition will be open to all candidates, including any non-resident candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for the job.