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Defence Forces Reserve Abolition

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 March 2013

Thursday, 14 March 2013

Questions (27)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

27. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of his plans to abolish the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will provide the details of any circulars issued by his Department within the past 24 months on this issue. [13155/13]

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Written answers

There are no plans to abolish the Reserve Defence Force and no circulars were issued by my Department in the last 24 months in this regard. The recently published Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force recommended the retention of a Reserve of approximately 4,000 personnel with a range of reforms aimed at ensuring a viable and cost effective Reserve into the future. These recommendations are currently being implemented and when completed will enhance the overall capacity of the Defence Forces to deal with a broad range of contingencies.

A major re-organisation of the Reserve is underway and a new organisational structure will come into effect at the end of March. This will dovetail with the recent re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force.

There will continue to be a Permanent Defence Force and a Reserve Defence Force, however, the way Units are organised will change. Under the new structures, Army Units within the Defence Forces will have both Permanent Defence Force and Reserve Defence Force components, as opposed to the separate parallel structures that exist at present. This new model will offer significant advantages in terms of training and improved interoperability.

A High Level Implementation Group (HLIG), consisting of civil and military personnel, is overseeing the implementation process. The changes currently being implemented are a direct response to the identified need for reform and will assist in ensuring a sustainable and fit for purpose Reserve into the future.

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