Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2010
103 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the progress that will be made in 2010 regarding the Reserve Defence Force serving with the Permanent Defence Forces on overseas missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9182/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2009 the plan to deploy members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) on overseas peace support operations was postponed for the foreseeable future.
My Department was in the process of making Regulatory provision to allow suitably qualified members of the RDF to qualify for service with the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) for the express purpose of this overseas service. However, the Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment to the Public Service with effect from 27th March 2009. This moratorium prevented the planned recruitment of members of the Reserve to the PDF for the purpose of overseas service. Reductions in the Defence payroll budget have also limited the scope for payment of additional personnel.
As outlined in the budget in December 2009, it has been decided that the Defence Forces commitments to overseas peace support operations will be scaled back in 2010. As a consequence, the number of PDF personnel serving overseas is to be reduced.
The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan, which was developed following broad stakeholder consultation, has provided the framework for the development of the Reserve over recent years. The Plan has informed the development of the Reserve up to the end of 2009. There is now a requirement to examine the progress that has been made and to chart the future direction of the Reserve. Work has commenced on a Value for Money Review of the Reserve and the findings of this Review, together with the lessons learned from the Implementation Plan to date, will inform future plans for the Reserve.
