Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 May 2013
310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied regarding the current strength of the Defence Forces including the Reserve at Army, Navy and Air Corps level; if any particular weaknesses have been brought to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21551/13]
View answerI am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 March 2013, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,189, comprising 7,375 Army, 781 Air Corps and 1,033 Naval Service personnel. This is against the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. No specific weaknesses have been brought to my attention. However, in the context of the current strength of the Permanent Defence Force being below the agreed stabilised strength, it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. With regard to the Reserve Defence Force, the total strength at 30 November 2012, the latest date for which figures are available was 4,978. This figure comprises 4,773 Army Reserve and 205 Naval Service Reserve personnel. Up to date strength figures for the Reserve Defence Force will be available once the ongoing process of the re-organisation of the Reserve is complete and I will provide this information directly to the Deputy at that point.
A major re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force has recently been completed. In addition, and in response to the findings of a Value for Money Review which was published in late 2012, the Reserve Defence Force is also being reformed and re-organised. These changes will ensure that the Defence Forces organisational structures are configured to maximise required capabilities.
The combination of the measures I have outlined will ensure that the Permanent Defence Force can continue to deliver required operational outputs for all approved Aid to the Civil Power and approved Aid to the Civil Authority requests. The Permanent Defence Force will also continue to meet Government requirements for overseas peace support operations. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, is also available for deployments in response to emergencies and crises.
