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Defence Forces Reorganisation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2012

Thursday, 20 September 2012

Questions (12, 20, 23)

Mick Wallace

Question:

12. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence if the option of voluntary relocation will be open to members of the Defence Forces as part of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39523/12]

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Denis Naughten

Question:

20. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the scale of re-deployment of Defence Force personnel which will be required to facilitate the restructuring of the Defence Forces organisation to a two brigade structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39492/12]

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Mick Wallace

Question:

23. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence if he has opened discussions with the representative bodies in relation to the implementation of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces; his views on reports that there is much confusion over whether or not Defence Forces personnel will have the option of voluntary relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39524/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 20 and 23 together.

I have addressed many of the issues raised in these questions in my reply to the earlier priority questions. In relation to the disbandment of the Western Brigade, the Minister tasked the Secretary General of the Department and the Chief of Staff to bring forward proposals for a reorganization of the Defence Forces within the context of the reduced strength of 9,500 serving personnel. Those proposals recommended that the Army component of the Defence Forces be reduced from a three brigade to a two brigade structure. This was on the basis that the three brigade structure, which had originally been designed for a force of 11,500, could not be sustained in the context of maintaining numbers at 9,500, without impacting on the capacity of the Defence Forces to deliver the services required by Government. The Minister, having considered the matter in detail, accepted the proposals of the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff for the reorganisation of the Army into a two Brigade structure with Brigade Headquarters being located in Dublin and Cork.

On the transfer of the Mc Kee Barracks staff, the transfer requirement will not become apparent until such time as the implementation process proceeds further and personnel have indicated their preferences in relation to transfer or remaining in their current location. On reassignment or transfer criteria, as I indicated in my answer to the earlier questions, this will be voluntary as far as possible. Personnel will be reassigned using the following criteria:

1. Hold the substantive Rank of the appointment in question.

2. Where a number of candidates meet the requirement for the appointment the following will be considered in order:

- If the applicant has had to change station due to Barrack closures during the period 01 August 2008 to 01 August 2012;

- Length of Service in the Rank relevant to the appointment

- Length of Service.

Opportunities will also be given for personnel to retrain and reskill to fill vacancies in their current locations, and this is being incorporated into the Defence Forces Training directive for 2013.

The maintenance of Defence Forces operational requirements must be prioritised within the reorganization implementation process. However, within that context, where possible, all practical alternatives, including reskilling will be explored to avoid or minimize relocation. Undoubtedly it will be necessary to mandatorily move some personnel whose units are being disbanded or relocated and who cannot be accommodated in their current location. This cannot be avoided. It needs to be emphasised that this is not a painless process for personnel serving in the Defence Forces.

Serving members of the Defence Forces, officers and enlisted personnel, are being required to make decisions under the current reorganisation which they would not otherwise make or in different times have had to consider. This is the reality of the public service today and of the reforms taking place across the public service.

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