Finian McGrath
Question:478. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if the changes to the Reserve Defence Forces is causing major hardship particularly now with having to travel to Athlone from Dublin. [53919/12]
View answerTuesday, 4 December 2012
Questions (478)
Written answers
The Report of the VFM Review of the Reserve Defence Force, which was recently published, concluded that the current Reserve organisation required radical reform. The current effective strength of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve at 4,500 personnel is less than half that for which the organisational structures were designed. The Permanent Defence Force (PDF) support framework for the Reserve was, therefore, inefficient and the retention of the current numbers of full time PDF personnel assigned to Reserve duties was no longer sustainable within a strength ceiling of 9,500 PDF personnel.
A central recommendation from the VFM Steering Committee is for the retention of the Reserve with 4,000 personnel spread countrywide, based in PDF barracks and in 16 other locations. This requires consolidation of existing Reserve Units throughout the country into a smaller number of full-strength Units. You will appreciate that this smaller number of full sized Units, outside of PDF installations, must cover the entire country. Amongst other considerations, the selection of locations for these Units sought to ensure continued opportunities for people throughout the country to serve in the Reserve.
A new “Single Force” concept will see PDF Units having Reserve components, rather than a separate stand-alone Reserve as at present. This concept offers significant potential advantages in terms of training and development of the Reserve. Reserve Units within barracks will be supported by their parent PDF Unit and the 16 Units outside of PDF installations will be supported by dedicated full time PDF personnel. All Reserve Combat Support and Combat Service Support components will be co-located with their PDF ‘Parent Unit’. Reserve personnel will be afforded the opportunity to apply for positions in the new organisational structure that best suits their individual circumstances. Every effort will be made to accommodate personnel within their geographic location and retraining will be available if required. Whilst there will inevitably be disruption for certain individual members of the Reserve, this re-organisation is necessary in order to ensure the future viability of the Reserve. The contribution of all members of the Reserve is valued by Government and I sincerely hope that all current members will continue to serve in the new organisation.