Ms Julie Sinnamon:

The Deputy has referred to declining numbers in the Defence Forces and that is something which has been an issue in recent years. This year, the focus has been very much on trying to get to a stabilisation position, as opposed to the decline. That is by means of initiatives on the recruitment side to increase recruitment and, second, by increasing retention levels within the Defence Forces. The focus this year is on getting to a position of stabilisation. All the indications are that recruitment has increased relative to previous years and the level of discharges from the Defence Forces has reduced, bringing us to a position where we expect to be stable by the end of this year. That has contributed to less budget being required for a pay budget than was previously the case. Going forward, the focus is on increasing the numbers, having reached a stabilisation perspective. All the initiatives that are being implemented, such as the pay increases, the various allowances that have been allowed and the cultural transformation programme, are all part of the retention process as well, in terms of increasing the age at which people are forced to retire and decreasing the age at which people can be recruited. There are lots of initiatives that have been brought forward to help on both the recruitment and retention sides. We expect that will stabilise this year, which would be a welcome development after the reductions over the past couple of years.

I ask Mr. Molloy to come in on the patrol days.