Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.
David Stanton
Question:
73
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Defence
the total number of personnel listed in the Defence Forces Reserve; the total number of these which is effective and non-effective respectively; the total number who have completed annual training to date in 2002; the situation regarding the reorganisation of the Defence Forces Reserve; the cost of the Defence Forces Reserve in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20470/02]
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
83
Ms O'Sullivan
asked the
Minister for Defence
the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations contained in the report of the Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20513/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 83 together.
I am advised by the military authorities that the combined strength of the Fóras Cosanta Aitiúil and the Slua Muirí on the 30 September was 14,371, constituting the second line reserve. The effective strength of the Defence Forces Reserve on that date was 13,839 and the non-effective strength was 532. In 2002, €11,390,000 was allocated in the Defence Vote towards the cost of the provision of annual training and courses of instructions for members of the second line reserve and about €9 million had been spent to the end of September. This sum does not include the additional cost of pay and allowances of Permanent Defence Force personnel assigned to duties with the Defence Forces Reserve. Some 7,200 members of the reserve force had completed annual training and courses of instruction by the end of September.
A military board, the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Board, was established to formulate specific plans for the implementation of the recommendations of a reserve steering group, established by the Minister in 1998 to undertake a study of the reserve. The group reported to the Minister in September 1999. Under the aegis of the military implementation board, structures have been put in place in each brigade and in the Naval Service to facilitate consultation with FCA and Slua Muirí personnel throughout the country. Given the dependence of the reserve on voluntary service, the Minister was anxious that there should be an ongoing process of consultation before proposals are finalised. The Minister received a copy of the draft report of the Defence Forces Reserve Review Implementation Board from the chief of staff in June and it is currently under consideration.
The Permanent Defence Force is organised in a three-brigade structure and a Defence Forces training centre. The Defence Forces Reserve will be similarly reorganised and restructured and it is envisaged that the implementation of these changes in the reserve force will take place over a period of approximately six years. The White Paper on Defence recognised that a notable and important feature of the existing FCA organisation is its countrywide, geographical spread. This particular aspect will, in general terms, be retained in the future. The full organisational and establishment details of the new reserve will be determined in the course of the ongoing detailed implementation process.
In general terms, the blueprint for the new Defence Forces Reserve will involve replacing the FCA with an Army reserve consisting of two elements. The first, smaller, element will involve personnel integrating with Permanent Defence Force units to bring them up to full operational strength in a contingency situation. Personnel who opt for a period of integrated service will be provided with enhanced military training. The larger element will provide the overall Army reserve, organised into three reserve brigades. I emphasise that the steering group was particularly mindful of the need to preserve the many traditional and well established strengths of the current reserve system, not least the admirable spirit of individual voluntary commitment, close social links with local communities and the nationwide geographical spread.
