Vol. 482 No. 4
22 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, he intends to take to rectify the situation that morale among Irish Army members of the 15 Infantry Battalion in Kerry is at an all time low because of reductions in personnel, outdated equipment, lack of promotional opportunity and too much overtime without pay in view of the statement of the General Secretary of PDFORRA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18230/97]
25 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel at each grade in the 15th Infantry Battalion for the past five years; and the projected figures for 1998. [18231/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 25 together.
It is not the policy to disclose details of the number of personnel deployed in any particular unit of the Defence Forces. However, as the strength of the Defence Forces is being reduced as part of the ongoing reorganisation and restructuring it is inevitable that some units will suffer reductions in numbers. As part of the restructuring and reorganisation of the Defence Forces that is taking place at present a study of the Reserve Defence Force will also take place. In that context, I recently announced the setting up of a joint military-civilian working group to carry out the necessary study. The working group will examine and report on a wide range of matters including the staffing levels of units, the amalgamation of some Reserve and PDF units and equipment. The study is due to commence shortly.
