Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 2

Written Answers. - Price Waterhouse Objectives.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

159 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of compensation claims made against the Defence Forces arising from post traumatic stress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9532/99]

A total of 20 compensation claims have been made against the Defence Forces to date arising from post traumatic stress.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

161 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to the implementation of the Price Waterhouse report on the Defence Forces; the plans, if any, he has to close any further military installations or facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9534/99]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

162 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the objectives set out in the Price Waterhouse report have been realised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9535/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.

The Price Waterhouse report on the Defence Forces was submitted to the efficiency audit group in 1993. Arising from this report, the efficiency audit group made certain recommendations to the Government which were accepted in July 1995. Following this, an implementation group was set up to prepare a fully costed implementation plan covering the first three year phase of the reorganisation of the Defence Forces. In February 1996, the Government accepted the Defence Force Review Implementation Plan, 1996-1998 which set the agenda for the initial phase of the Defence Forces reorganisation process.
I am very satisfied with the overall Defence Forces reorganisation process thus far. Among the many objectives achieved I would like to highlight the following: a reduction in the overall PDF strength by 1,300 to 11,500 and the associated allocation of 50 per cent of the pay savings to infrastructure and equipment investment; an improvement in the age profile of the PDF by means of a successful voluntary early retirement scheme and a continuous recruitment policy; the successful introduction of a new structure for Defence Forces headquarters – a comprehensive reorganisation of the Army and completion of the studies of the Air Corps and Naval Service.
In addition, on 15 July last, the Government approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks which are considered surplus to military requirements. This decision is part of the relocation, refurbishment and re-equipment of the Defence Forces, as recommended in the Price Waterhouse report regarding the rationalisation of military installations generally. Five barracks were subsequently evacuated and the sale of these will proceed as soon as is practicable.
There are no plans to close any barracks other than those announced on 15 July 1998.
The momentum for reform of the Defence Forces will continue by means both of the implementation plans for the reorganisation of the Air Corps and Naval Service which are currently being drawn up and through the White Paper on Defence which will be completed later this year. I am also looking forward to receiving the report of the steering group for the study of the Reserve Defence Force in the near future.
Barr
Roinn