Vol. 573 No. 3
135 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to avert threatened action by PDFORRA over the planned reduction of 400 in the number of Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25253/03]
144 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Defence the progress which has been made in talks between his Department and PDFORRA over plans to shed up to 400 jobs across the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25383/03]
154 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the way in which it is intended to implement the cut of 400 personnel in the Defence Forces sought by the Department of Finance; the way in which this target can be achieved consistent with the commitment given in the White Paper regarding total membership and the numbers in recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25252/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 144 and 154 together.
I wish to address the issue of recent media reports of a proposed cut in 400 in the size of the Defence Forces. The reduction in Defence Forces' authorised numbers will be 250 and not 400, which will leave the strength of the Defence Forces at 10,500. The reduction will be phased over three years. On 30 September 2003, the most recent date for which figures are available, the actual total strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 10,456. Therefore, the question of any reduction in the numbers serving does not arise at this time. The figure of 250 is an element of the Government's response to changing financial circumstances. In last year's budget, my colleague, the Minister for Finance, announced a reduction of 5,000 in the overall size of the public service, to be achieved by the end of 2005.
