Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
830. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding an Army unit (details provided) in County Cork if it is possible to have the personnel involved in this unit re-assigned to other units within their Barracks rather than relocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47596/12]
View answerThe implementation of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces is currently underway and an accurate picture of the extent to which it will be necessary for personnel to move from their current geographic locations is not yet fully apparent. At this juncture there may be a requirement for a significant number of personnel based in Collins Barracks, Cork to be relocated rather than reassigned. As part of the implementation process, personnel have been given the opportunity to indicate their preferred options in relation to relocation and these will be taken into account in the implementation of the reorganisation plan. In addition, a review system has been put in place whereby personnel who are unhappy with a proposed relocation can seek a review of a decision in this regard. While the maintenance of Defence Forces operational requirements must be prioritised within the reorganisation implementation process, within that context, all practical alternatives, including redeployment within an individual’s existing location will be explored to minimise the requirement for geographic relocation.
Opportunities will also be given for personnel to retrain and re-skill so as to be able to fill vacancies in their current locations, and this is being incorporated into the Defence Forces Training directive for 2013. However, it must be accepted that there is no painless way to fundamentally reorganise the Defence Forces whilst maintaining essential military capabilities and, undoubtedly, it will be necessary to mandatorily move some personnel whose units are being disestablished or relocated and who cannot be accommodated in their current location. This is a difficult process for many serving members of the Defence Forces, officers and enlisted personnel, who are being required to make decisions under the current reorganisation which they would not otherwise make or in different times have had to consider. However, this is the reality of the public service today and of the reforms taking place across the public service.
