Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Barrett is a former Minister, and he fully understands that when one is competing in a troubled economy one of the areas hit hardest in the public sector is the Defence Forces. Looking at trends over the years, it is clear that that has always been the case. We have to prioritise what we can and cannot do, but the important thing is that it is done in a very safe environment and in a very safe way. That is my priority, and I have stated that on numerous occasions. We are sending a full battalion to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, this November. We can do that for 12 months, but not beyond that. I have stated that to the Under-Secretary General of the UN.

The Defence Forces are great for young people. They get the opportunity to see action on the front line on numerous occasions. When asked why they join the Defence Forces they often say that they want to go overseas. We are giving more than 100 young people the opportunity to travel overseas to Lebanon for the first time. It is absolutely fantastic, and great for them. I met those travelling in November at Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow for a night shoot last Monday.

The Deputy spoke about certain trends. The number of people who apply compared to the number who go through the whole process has been highlighted to the Public Service Pay Commission. It looks for trends and data, and we have submitted that information to the Public Service Pay Commission.

The Chairman asked about the Reserve Defence Forces, RDF. It forms a very important part of the Defence Forces. The current strength of the Army-enabled service reserve is 1,745 effective personnel. The Army Reserve is 1,650 and the Naval Service Reserve is 125. On recruitment, the Defence Forces are actively recruiting locally for the RDF in 2018, and to date there have been 1,363 applications to join the RDF, consisting of 1,153 for Army Reserve applications, 170 of whom are female, and 210 Naval Service Reserve applications, 31 of whom are female. Some 124 members have been inducted in the RDF in 2018 to date. The White Paper on defence highlights the importance of the RDF throughout. The first line reserve, as of 31 August 2018, has 272 people. The Chief of Staff appointed a colonel to look after the Reserves. Colonel Brian Cleary has moved on and another person has been appointed to that position who is in daily communication with the reserve units across the country, encouraging recruitment and making sure it is active and addressing any issues or problems members may have. This person was appointed in the last seven or eight months.

The Chair spoke about people who were relocated from various barracks following the reorganisation in 2012. We submitted information on that to the Public Service Pay Commission, and I know that during meetings between my Department, senior military management and the pay commission the issue is raised. The issue of people having to travel long distances, for example those based in Dublin or the Curragh in Kildare, or those who are based in Galway who have to travel, was also mentioned, and I assure the Deputy that those issues will be raised at future meetings with the pay commission.