Dr. Mark Mellett:

Our whole-time equivalent strength at the moment is a little under 9,000. That means we are slightly more than 500 below strength. That is approximately 92% of our employee control framework strength. As I mentioned to Deputy Jack Chambers, my desire is to progress towards 9,500 as soon as possible.

Reference was made to the current lay-down. The Defence Forces organisational structure is set out in terms of the 2012 review that established the current lay-down. The question of what is fit for purpose for the Defence Forces is under continuous review in the context of how we can best shape and utilise the resources. I engage with the Minister and the Department on that question. Several issues arise in the context of our current 2012 organisation system and projects in the White Paper, including doubling the Army Ranger wing and our command and control arrangements within the Defence Forces. All these issues point towards a need to look at the Defence Forces in the context of how we deliver on these projects, with a view to ensuring that we are fit for purpose. That is a dynamic and ongoing process of review. There are challenges with the current structure but we should not deal with them piecemeal. We have to look at the interlinking nature of them. Given that several White Paper projects have a significant development aspect to them, I am looking at how we can manage them together by working with the Minister and the Department.