Michael McGrath
Ceist:1336. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the recruitment of persons to the Army and the Army reserves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38887/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 18 September 2012
Ceisteanna (1336)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government has decided to accept my recommendation that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force will be maintained at 9,500. I believe that this is the optimum strength required to fulfil all roles currently assigned by Government. The Military Authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 August 2012, the latest date for which details are available, was 8,838 comprising 7,152 Army, 753 Air Corps and 933 Naval Service.
As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed serving cadre there will be an intake in 2012 of approximately 600 personnel consisting primarily of the phased recruitment of general service recruits and an intake of 37 Cadets. The Cadets will commence their training in the Defence Forces Training Centre on 1 October 2012. It is proposed that the enlistment of general service recruits will take place over three tranches, before the end of the year, commencing on 24 September 2012. To date in 2012, 50 recruits have been enlisted of whom 21 are Instrumentalists. In addition a Medical Officer was appointed in July and a Military Judge in September 2012. In addition an Air Corps Apprentice Competition will be advertised shortly from which it is proposed to enlist 20 personnel. All recruitment will be achieved within the resource envelope allocated to Defence so as to maintain the Government approved strength of the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500.
Recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is ongoing. The current budgetary provision provides for approximately 30,000 paid training man-days. In 2011 and 2012, I sanctioned paid training man-days to include support for the training of new recruits to the RDF. This was sufficient to train approximately 400 recruits during 2011 and 2012. The Military Authorities currently manage recruitment in this context. A Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force is ongoing and the recommendations arising from this review will inform future plans, including recruitment, for the Reserve.
Question No. 1337 answered with Question No. 1335.