David Stanton
Ceist:21 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if it is official policy to run down the FCA in the period leading up to the reorganisation in order to facilitate the creation of new reserve structures. [13046/98]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.
David Stanton
Ceist:117 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence what is the official policy in relation to the FCA in the period leading up to reorganisation or the creation of new reserve structures. [13178/98]
David Stanton
Ceist:129 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements, if any, he proposes to make to ensure that the FCA will remain a functional organisation in view of the reductions in PDF cadre attached to the FCA, the dramatic fall off in recruitment of FCA personnel and having regard to the fact that reorganisation of the reserve is three to four years away. [13220/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 117 and 129 together.
There is no official policy to run down the FCA in the period leading up to the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Forces. I would like to make it very clear, in case there is any misunderstanding, that there is no restriction on the recruitment of personnel to the FCA or the Slua Muiri, subject to the total overall strength of the second line reserve not exceeding 16,712 persons. During the first four months of 1998, approximately 600 new members enlisted in the FCA while an additional 118 prospective members failed to meet the medical requirements.
The overall strength of the FCA over the past five years was as follows:—
|
Date: Dec. 31 |
Overall Strength |
Change from previous year |
|
1993 |
15,564 |
– |
|
1994 |
15,609 |
+0.7% |
|
1995 |
15,285 |
-2.1% |
|
1996 |
14,908 |
-2.5% |
|
1997 |
14,293 |
-4.1% |
|
31 March '98 |
14,025 |
-1.9% |
These figures reveal that the strength of the FCA has been falling for a number of years. In fact, over the past five years, it has fallen by almost 10 per cent..
This decline in strength is one of the issues I have asked the joint military-civilian steering group which I set up recently to oversee and direct the study of the Reserve Defence Forces to examine. While this study is ongoing, I do not propose to take any action that might pre-empt the group's recommendations.