Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:119 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence his preferred strength of the Defence Forces with particular reference to each discipline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5029/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Strength.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:232 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence his preference in respect of the optimum strength of the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5277/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:233 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence his preference in respect of the optimum strength of the Navy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5278/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 232 and 233 together.
The overall strength for the Defence Forces has now reached a level of 11,500 which is the figure set out in the Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan (1996-1998), for phase one of the reorganisation and restructuring of the Defence Forces.
This figure of 11,500 comprises the following strengths for the three components of the Defence Forces: Army, 9,487; Naval Service, 1,089; Air Corps, 924.
The implementation plan also provided for special studies to be carried out on the Naval Service and the Air Corps and Price Waterhouse management consultants were engaged to conduct such a review. In their report, Price Waterhouse recommended a slight adjustment in the strengths of the Air Corps and Naval Service to the following; – Naval Service 1,144 and Air Corps 930.
The Government has now considered the final report from Price Waterhouse and has agreed in principle the proposal that the State's future sea and air support requirements be discharged by the Naval Service and the Air Corps, on the basis of an appropriate mix of multi-tasking/multi-capabilities and dedicated services, and that Government decision-making on equipping and staffing of the Naval Service and the Air Corps should be made accordingly.
Arrangements are currently under way for the drawing up of implementation plans for both services which will give effect to the recommendations of the consultants' report.