Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1303. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Defence his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37865/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 18 September 2012
Ceisteanna (1303)
Freagraí scríofa
Arising from the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in 2011, I secured the agreement of the Government to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at a level of 9,500 serving personnel. While this represents a very significant commitment on the part of Government, at this strength level it was not possible to maintain the then organisational structure of the Defence Forces, which had been designed to support a serving strength of 11,500. As a result, I tasked the Secretary General of the Department of Defence and the Chief of Staff to conduct a detailed review of the organisation and structure of the Defence Forces and to bring forward proposals on an appropriate organisation for a Defence Forces of 9,500 serving personnel which could continue to deliver the services required by Government.
In July 2012, I announced details of the re-organisation. The re-organisation includes a reduction in the number of PDF personnel working full time with the Army Reserve (known as the Cadre) to a total of 48. As the re-organisation of the PDF primarily impacted the Army, no decisions have been made, as yet, regarding PDF Cadre with the Naval Service.
While the re-organisation impacts numbers of PDF personnel available for the administration and support for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), the organisation of the RDF itself has not been addressed. Decisions in relation to the organisation of the RDF will be made following the completion of the Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force, which is due to be finalised in the next few weeks.