Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 51 together.

In the context of the Government decision on the implementation of savings measures on public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, all recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force, RDF, was suspended. Following a subsequent review and examination of RDF personnel numbers and budgets for 2009, I was satisfied there was sufficient provision to allow for paid training for existing members of the reserve this year.

Accordingly, on 19 May I announced that limited recruitment to fill vacancies arising due to existing reserve members resigning or being discharged this year in the normal manner could proceed. The numbers recruited will depend on the numbers leaving. This limited recruitment will be monitored and kept under review in light of the uptake of paid training within the RDF and the future budgetary provision. Therefore, I am not in a position to specify the exact number to be recruited this year. The resources available for paid training, taking account of the recruitment that is under way, are being closely monitored. The situation with regard to promotion in the reserve will be also reviewed in this context in the period ahead.

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