Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Nine posts remain unfilled because we are trying to reach the 3% target. The Defence Forces are also subject to the 3% target. The total payroll allocation for the civil servants in my Department is €19.2 million. In 2009, the allocation will be €19 million. It will result in a slowdown in recruitment for the Army. The total payroll allocation for the Defence Forces for 2008 is approximately €486 million. In 2009, the allocation will be €478 million. It will certainly result in a slowdown in recruitment. Up to now the level of Defence Forces personnel has been approximately 10,500. I believe we will be somewhat below that for the foreseeable future.

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