Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2012
29. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Defence his plans to address concerns regarding the lack of a headquarters for the Reserve Defence Forces in the Formation North and Formation South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39498/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising 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 Permanent Defence Force, 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 Permanent Defence Force 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 of the PDF. In order to prioritise PDF operational outputs, the re-organisation includes a proposal to reduce the number of PDF personnel working full time with the Army Reserve, to a total of 24 in each Brigade and a broad range of other supports will also be provided from PDF Units. A Value for Money Review of the Reserve is ongoing and its completion is anticipated by the end of this month. Any recommendations, regarding organisational structures for the Reserve, arising from the Review must have due regard to the available PDF cadre and dovetail with revised PDF organisational structures.
