Tuesday, 18 Sep 2012

Written Answers Nos. 1318-1337

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1318, 1319)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1318. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence if he will detail, in tabular form, the total cost of providing entertainment for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which entertainment was provided; the entertainers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion; if there is a policy regarding the booking of entertainers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37442/12]

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1319. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence the amount spent on food and drink by his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37458/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1318 and 1319 together.

Since being appointed as Minister for Defence, I have not incurred any expenditure on entertainment. Since March 2011, my Department has incurred expenditure of €1,074 on entertainment. This expenditure relates to the hosting of a seminar on Irish and Finnish Perspectives on European Security and Defence Policy in September 2011. I wish to advise the Deputy that queries concerning my Ministerial Allowance are solely a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas and all future queries should be directed to that forum.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1320)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1320. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence the amount spent on hair and make-up by his Department since he came to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37474/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

My Department has not incurred any expenditure on hair and make-up since I took office in March 2011.

Ministerial Adviser Appointments

Ceisteanna (1321, 1326, 1341)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1321. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the number and names of all special advisers, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; the name of the Minister or Minister of State to whom he or she reports; the salary of each adviser now; the salary of each adviser at the time he or she was appointed; if any salary increase was asked for; if it was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37490/12]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1326. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the political activities of each special adviser, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; if any of them were members of a political party; if so, the parties to which they belonged; if any of them are or have been elected local authority members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37571/12]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1341. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the names of special advisers for whom salary increases have been requested; the amount requested; the details of those granted increases and the amount by which they were increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40018/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1321, 1326 and 1341 together.

I have not appointed any special advisers in my role as Minister for Defence. I have however engaged the services of a personal assistant who assists me in constituency matters. The annual salary attached to this post is €56,060 which is in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines concerning ministerial appointments. Similarly, no special advisers have been appointed by Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D. in his role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence.

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Ceisteanna (1322, 1324)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1322. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide detail, in tabular form, of the names of all external public relations and consultancy persons and organisations used by his Department for the years 2011 and 2010; the amount paid to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37506/12]

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1324. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he will detail in tabular form the amount paid on external public relations and communications consultants since February 2011; the reason for the payment; the name of each organisation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37539/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1322 and 1324 together.

No external public relations consultancy persons or organisations were used by the Department of Defence in 2010 and 2011.

Ministerial Staff

Ceisteanna (1323)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1323. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the gross annual salary costs for his private and constituency offices at present; the same figures for this time last year; the same figures for any Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37523/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The information requested by the Deputy with regard to the Private Office of the Minister for Defence is as follows:

Grade/Position	No.	Current Salary Scale
Higher Executive Officer	1	Higher Executive Officer standard scale €43,816 - €55,415 (includes long service increments)
Executive Officer	1	Executive Officer standard scale €29,024 - €45,616 (includes long service increments)
Staff Officer	1	Staff Officer €33,070 - €43,906 (includes long service increments)
Clerical Officer	1	Clerical Officer PPC scale €23,177 - €37,341 (includes long service increments)

These figures are unchanged since May 2011. The information requested by the Deputy with regard to the Constituency Office of the Minister for Defence is as follows:

Grade/Position	No.	Current Salary Scale
Personal Assistant(Non-established)	1	Personal Assistant Scale €43,715 - €56,060 (includes long service increments)

My constituency office is based at the Department of Justice and Law Reform. As Minister for Defence, I did not engage any constituency staff until August 2011, when I engaged a personal assistant as set out above. Prior to my taking office in March 2011, the Private Office for the Minister for Defence had a staffing complement of two special advisers and four civil servants, and the Constituency Office had eight staff. The Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D. has one Higher Executive Officer (Standard Scale) assigned as Private Secretary to his Department of Defence Private Office. The Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale is €43,816 - €55,415 (including long service increments). The Minister of State does not have any staff from the Department of Defence in his constituency office.

These figures are unchanged since May 2011. The Higher Executive Officers assigned to my Private Office and to the Private Office of the Minister of State are also in receipt of a Private Secretary allowance of €19,653 per annum, in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines. My Private Office is responsible for providing administrative support to me in my capacity as Minister for Defence, including Government business and Cabinet papers, Parliamentary Questions, representations and managing correspondence from throughout the State and elsewhere, co-ordinating my diary and handling queries from members of the general public.

Question No. 1324 answered with Question No. 1322.

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Ceisteanna (1325)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1325. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he will detail in tabular form the amount paid to consultants since February 2011; the name of each organisation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37555/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by my Department since February 2011 is set out in the table that follows this reply. My Department is always mindful of the costs involved in engaging consultants. External consultants are engaged only when there is a clear need for specialised expertise and following a rigorous examination of skills and resources available in-house. The objective of using outside consultants is to ensure my Department achieves value for money by implementing recommendations for improvements in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.

Year	Name of Consultancy	Purpose	Amount
2011	Version 1 Ltd	Commissioned in 2009 and 2011 to provide a report in respect of Oracle licence management in the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces.	€1,353.39
2011	ISAS	Information Security Advice relating to mobile e-mail solution	€10,395
2011	Eirdata Environmental Services Ltd	Provide consultancy on the implementation of Energy Saving Measures to ensure compliance with EN16001 & EN50001	€5,808
2011	Graham Evans Fire & Safety	To carry out Survey, Full Risk Assessment of potential risks involved with storage of fuels/bunkering procedures for ships/provide design drawings and proposals for suitable Fixed Fire Fighting System for the Naval Base Oil Storage Facility, to ensure that the NS is compliant to the International Maritime Standards (ISGOTT)	€2,880
2011	University of Limerick	Consultancy on Value Management Procedure/Exercise on the decommissioning of vessels in the NS	€5,869
2011	Hydrographic Surveys	Consultancy relating to Basin Dredging	€4,452
2011	ABS Marine Ltd	Consultancy to NS Fleet Compliance with IMO/MARPOL Regulations	€13,220
2011	Malachy Walsh and Partners	Consultancy to ensure NS compliance with EPA requirements for a Waste Water Discharge Licence for Haulbowline	€6,060.59
2011 & 2012	Fujitsu (Ireland) Ltd	Provide consultancy and maintenance services for the organisation’s Oracle e Business Suite and related applications.	€68,162.71
2011 & 2012	Col. E.V. Campion	Provides expert advice to the Army Equitation School’s Horse Purchase Board in their deliberations following the inspection of horses that are being considered for purchase. The cost per annum is €5,000.	€10,000
2011 & 2012	SGS Ireland Ltd	Consultancy to ensure NS compliance with EN16001:2009 Energy Management Systems (€5,022) EU Emission Verification Mandatory requirement for outside body to conduct verification (€1,190)	€6,212
2012	Bianconi Research Ltd. T/A RITS	Security Partner ICT Consultancy	€13,653

Question No. 1326 answered with Question No. 1321.

Ministerial Transport

Ceisteanna (1327)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1327. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the amount spent by his Department on drivers and ministerial transport since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37587/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

In accordance with the Government Decision of 15 March 2011, I retain a State car and Garda drivers in my capacity as the Minister for Justice and Equality. The cost of this service is funded from the Vote for an Garda Síochána. Following on from that Government decision, the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D., has been assigned two civilian drivers. Any mileage and car related expenses due to Minister Kehoe are met by the Department of the Taoiseach. The costs associated with the drivers are met by my Department and amounted to €132,384.72 for the period 1 May 2011 to 31 August 2012.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (1328)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1328. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department, including payments from ministerial allowances, details of the consultants employed and costs of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37619/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

Neither I nor my Department have commissioned any external reports since February 2011.

Army Barracks Closures

Ceisteanna (1329)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

1329. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Defence in view of recent closures of military barracks across the State his plans, in the context of the policy of reconfiguring the Defence Forces, for the barracks in the Curragh, County Kildare; if he will provide an indication that current employment levels and pay rates for those attached to the Curragh Barracks will be maintained. [37681/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

While the reorganisation of the Permanent Defence Force means that units will be moved among existing locations, it maintains, as far as possible, the existing organisational strengths within the current locations. Prior to the announcement of the reorganisation, the Defence Forces Training Centre, including DFHQ and Special Establishments which are attached to the Curragh Barracks, had a strength of 1,417 Permanent Defence Force personnel. The proposed establishment post the implementation of the reorganisation will be 1,371. Rates of pay will not be affected by the reorganisation of the Defence Forces.

Labour Court Recommendations

Ceisteanna (1330)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1330. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he will supply a list of all Labour Court recommendations that have been issued in respect of his Department and organisations under his aegis that have not been complied with in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37750/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

There are no Labour Court recommendations in respect of my Department and its agencies that have not been complied with in full.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (1331)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

1331. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding recruiting persons with a disability; the number of persons currently employed in his Department; the number of persons with a disability who have been employed since 1 January 2011 to date in 2012. [37834/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

Recruitment to my Department is carried out by the Public Appointments Service having regard to the required qualifications and competencies that best match the needs of the post. The Civil Service is an equal opportunities employer. I understand that all recruitment campaigns are conducted in strict compliance with the Codes of Practice set out by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. Codes include the Code of Practice governing the External and Internal Appointments of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Irish Civil Service & Certain Public Bodies. The number of people currently employed in my Department is 356. My Department has not undertaken any external recruitment in the period since 1 January 2011. Based on the most recent returns, the percentage of employees of my Department with a disability as defined in the Disability Act 2005 is 4%.

Departmental Staff Training

Ceisteanna (1332)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

1332. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Defence the amount of money spent on an annual basis on education and training of staff in 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of staff that availed of each course; if he will provide a list of the courses staff undertook and the cost of each course per person. [38482/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The expenditure on staff education and training was €107,273.15 in 2011 and €62,054.54 to 31 August 2012. These figures represent total expenditure by the Department on training and education, including amounts paid under the Refund of Fees Scheme. This Scheme provides funding to staff members to undertake third level studies outside of normal working hours.

Details of training courses undertaken by staff and the cost per person of these courses are as follows:

2011

Course Title	No. of staff who availed of course	Cost of course per person
Advanced VAT Course	2	€262.50
AMMS Training - Aircraft Maintenance Management Training	3	Nil- Training provided by the Military
Certificate in Audit Skills	1	€4,800.00
Bookkeeping Course	12	€155.89
Revised Circular on Sick Leave training	325	Nil– Internal Trainers
Certificate in Human Resource Management	1	€1,080.00
Certificate in Human Resource Practice	1	€2,100.00
Certificate in Project Management	1	€1,700.00
Conducting Workplace Investigations	2	€345.00
CORE BI Training	8	Nil– Internal Trainers
Customer Care - Best Practice	7	€78.57
Data Protection – Respecting Personal Privacy	1	€295.00
Health and Safety Training	125	€50.45
Employment Law	1	€475.00
Fixed Assets Training	6	Nil– Training provided by the Military
French Level  1	1	Nil– Internal CS Trainers
French Tuition	2	367.98
IDEA Getting Started	1	€760.00
Induction - Module 2 - Bullying & Harassment	32	€58.59
Induction - Module 5 - Equality & Diversity and Disability Awareness	12	€41.66
Interview Skills Training	10	€190.00
Interviewee Skills Training	17	€73.52
Irish Civil Law & Irish Military Law	20	Nil Training provided by the Military
Judicial Review, Administrative Decision and Statutory Appeals	3	€236.00
Leadership Challenge	1	€7,300.00
Leadership in the Public Sector	1	€881.60
Legislative Process	10	Nil– Internal CS Trainers
MA in Public Management	1	€5,000.00
Managing People - An Introduction to Managing Others	2	Nil– Internal CS Trainers
Managing Performance - Guidelines for dealing with Underperformance in the Civil Service	321	€49.01 – Travel & Subsistence costs for tutor. €264.52 – Interpreting Services for 1 staff member.
Microsoft Access Training - Intermediate / Advanced Level	4	€96.25
Microsoft Excel Training - Advanced Level	7	€53.57
Microsoft Excel Training - Intermediate Level	22	€48.86
Microsoft Excel Training - Introductory Level	8	€41.12
Microsoft Excel Training - Introductory / Intermediate Level	7	€50.00
Microsoft Office Training - Intermediate Level	18	€64.16
Microsoft Powerpoint	13	€51.92
Microsoft Project	8	€75.00
Microsoft Word Training - Intermediate Level	13	€53.84
Microsoft Word Training - Intermediate / Advanced Level	6	€62.50
Microsoft Word Training - Introductory Level	6	€62.50
Negotiation Skills Training	8	€87.50
Pension Adjustment Order Training	3	€266.66
Pension Administration Training Programme for Civil Service Staff	2	€810.00
Post Grad. Cert in Financial Management	1	€2,500.00
Pre Retirement Planning	4	Nil– Internal CS Trainers
Presentation Skills	5	€170.00
Certificate in Project Management	1	€1,700.00
Public Procurement – Introduction	18	€365.42
Quality Customer Service	1	Nil– Internal CS Trainers
Rev. Statutory Statements	1	€99.00
Speed Reading	11	€143.47
Statutory Instruments	2	Nil – Internal CS Trainers
Strategic Management	1	€690.00
Taxation & PRSI	10	€100.00
Teamworking	11	€81.81
Time Management & Personal Effectiveness	1	€295.00
The Legal Process & Family Law	9	€166.66
Train the Trainer	3	€266.66
Training in development of Moodle	1	€1,600.00
Understanding European Public Sector Procurement Rules	1	€650.00
VAT for State & Semi State Bodies	1	€710.00
Diploma in Computer Studies	1	€2,995.00
Linux Red Hat Administrator	1	€2,205.00
Lotus Notes	4	€945.46
MS Access	1	€375.000
Network Security & Admin	1	€1,275.00
Windows Server 2008	5	€611.60

2012

Course Title	No. of staff who availed of course	Cost of course per person
All about absence from work	2	€275.00
Blue Light Air Assets Future Operations RUSI	1	€287.46
CORE BI Training	15	Nil – Internal trainer
Data Protection Awareness	248	€39.73
Dealing with Employee Representatives	2	€325.00
Managing Performance	16	€390.63
Freedom of Information - Decision Makers Course	2	€120.00
French Introduction	1	€520.00
Health & Safety Training	309	€259.93
Inaugural National Public Sector IT Leaders Forum 2012	1	€338.25
Interview Board  Skills Training	6	€114.00
Interviewee Skills Training	22	€58.63
Irelands HR Symposium,  2012	2	€175.00
IT Audit Training	2	€225.00
Manual Handling	16	€64.37
Microsoft Excel Training - Advanced Level	7	€53.57
Managing Performance - Guidelines for dealing with Underperformance in the Civil Service	8	Nil - delivered by internal trainers
Interpreting Services	1	€537.78
Microsoft Excel Training - Introductory Level	1	Nil - Course delivered by internal trainer
Project Management	1	€375.00
Mock Employment appeals Tribunal	1	€95.00
Training in development of Moodle	2	€2,583.00
Negotiation Skills Training	7	€200.00
Partnership Committee Training	20	Awaiting Invoice
Pre Retirement Planning	5	Nil - Course delivered by CS internal trainers
Strategic Management	1	€345.00
Understanding European Public Sector Procurement Rules	1	€585.00
VAT Training Course	13	€372.05
MS Access	1	€275.00

Defence Forces Reserve Review

Ceisteanna (1333)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

1333. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence if he will give an assurance that the ongoing review of the Defence Forces will not result in the closure of the Carndonagh Reserve Defence Force outpost, County Donegal in view of the fact that it serves one of the most geographically dispersed units in the State. [38815/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

A Value for Money Review (VFM) of the Reserve Defence Force is ongoing and the recommendations arising from this review will inform future plans for the Reserve. These recommendations must ensure that RDF organisational structures dovetail with revised PDF structures and have regard to the reduced availability of full time PDF support personnel. The Steering Committee, established to oversee the VFM Review of the Reserve, met most recently on 12 September. I understand that the Steering Committee are working towards completing the report by the end of this month. No decisions have been made regarding the future development of the Reserve pending my receipt and consideration of the Value for Money report.

Defence Forces Reserve Strength

Ceisteanna (1334)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

1334. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence if he will publish the value for money report on the Defence Forces Reserve on 14 September 2012 in order for managerial appointments to be provided from the Permanent Defence Forces. [38816/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

A Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force is ongoing and the Steering Committee, established to oversee the VFM Review of the Reserve, met most recently on 12 September. I understand that the Steering Committee are working towards completing the report by the end of this month. No decisions have been made regarding the future development of the Reserve pending my receipt and consideration of the Value for Money report. The report will subsequently be published on the Department’s website in line with the normal VFM process.

Appointments to State Boards

Ceisteanna (1335, 1337)

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

1335. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline, in tabular form, both the number and the percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in each of the past ten years; if he will provide the most up-to-date figures available regarding the number and percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38854/12]

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

1337. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to ensure that State boards have at least 40% of each gender, as provided for in the programme for Government; the percentage at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39150/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1335 and 1337 together.

The State Boards under the aegis of my Department are the Army Pensions Board, the Civil Defence Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The number and percentage of women and men on these Boards in each of the past ten years is set out below.

Civil Defence Board

Year	Total Number of Board Members	Number of Male Members	Number of Female Members	Gender Percentage Male : Female
2012	14	8	6	57% : 43%
2011	14	8	6	57% : 43%
2010	14	8	6	57% : 43%
2009	14	8	6	57% : 43%
2008	14	8	6	57% : 43%
2007	14	10	4	71% : 29%
2006	14	10	4	71% : 29%
2005	14	10	4	71% : 29%
2004	14	10	4	71% : 29%
2003	14	10	4	71% : 29%

Army Pensions Board

Year	Total Number of Board Members	Number of Male Members	Number of Female Members	Gender Percentage Male : Female
2012	3	3	0	100% : 0%
2011	3	3	0	100% : 0%
2010	3	3	0	100% : 0%
2009	3	3	0	100% : 0%
2008	3	3	0	100% : 0%
2007	3	3	0	100% : 0%
2006	3	3	0	100% : 0%
2005	3	3	0	100% : 0%
2004	3	3	0	100% : 0%
2003	3	3	0	100% : 0%

Coiste an Asgard

Year	Total Number of Board Members	Number of Male Members	Number of Female Members	Gender Percentage Male:Female
2012	9	7	2	78% : 22%
2011	9	7	2	78% : 22%
2010	13	11	2	85% : 15%
2009	14	12	2	86% : 14%
2008	14	12	2	86% : 14%
2007	12	10	2	83% : 17%
2006	14	12	2	86% : 14%
2005	14	11	3	79% : 21%
2004	14	11	3	79% : 21%
2003	13	10	3	77% : 23%

All appointments to Boards under the aegis of my Department are in accordance with the relevant legislation or regulations and are to suitably qualified and experienced individuals. The Programme for Government sets out that we will take steps to ensure that all State Boards have at least 40% of each gender. The principal function of the Army Pensions Board under the Army Pensions Acts is to investigate applications for pensions, allowances and gratuities arising from the death or disablement of members of the Defence Forces in the course of their military service. The Army Pensions Board comprises 3 members: a chairman, a civilian medical doctor and an officer of the Army Medical Corps. There has been one appointment to the Army Pensions Board since February 2011. The Army Pensions Act 1927 specifies that one of the ordinary members must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps, and I appointed a male officer to the position of Army Medical Corps member of the Board in December 2011 on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff.

There have been no appointments to the Board of Coiste an Asgard since 2009. In the context of settling the Estimates for the Department of Defence for 2010, the Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued as recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure. There are 9 members remaining on the Board, which will be dissolved shortly. The Civil Defence Act 2002 provides that the Board shall consist of at least eight but not more than 14 members who shall be appointed by the Minister for Defence. Legislation is currently being drafted to dissolve the Civil Defence Board and transfer the functions of the Board back into the Department of Defence. I appointed the current Board as an interim measure from 2011. The gender ratio of the interim Board is in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government regarding gender balance on State Boards.

Defence Forces Recruitment

Ceisteanna (1336)

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]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

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.