Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

In accordance with the Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan, the Reserve Defence Forces was re-organised along similar lines to the Permanent Defence Force in October 2005. The reserve now mirrors the Permanent Defence Force with the Army Reserve organised within a three brigade structure and a Reserve Defence Forces Training Authority. In addition there is a Naval Service Reserve.

General officers commanding and the flag officer commanding the Naval Service are brigadier generals and a commodore, respectively. They are in command of both permanent and reserve units within their particular formation. Consequently, all units within formations, both permanent and reserve, are represented at general level and there are no plans to appoint an additional brigadier general specifically for the Reserve Defence Forces.

The strength of the Army and Naval Service Reserve at end April 2010 was 6,304. Recruitment to the reserve recommenced in May 2009 after a temporary suspension. Recruitment is ongoing, subject to an overall strength of 7,671 not being exceeded.

As at 30 April 2010, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 9,856. Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. This reduced strength requires a flexible and adaptive response in order to maintain the delivery of defence services.

The prevailing economic environment and the associated resource constraints have impacted on the entire defence organisation. The financial situation is such that it is not possible to provide the level of resourcing that was available in recent years. Within the reduced resource envelope, the Department and the Defence Forces are working closely to prioritise the operational requirements of the Defence Forces and I fully support this approach.

The Department and the Defence Forces are currently examining options, including re-organisation, to ensure the continued delivery of defence services to the greatest extent possible. At this stage I have received no recommendation regarding the future of the appointment of the director of reserve forces, or any other appointment. I would expect, however, that any recommendation I receive will take account of the current and future requirements of the Reserve Defence Forces.

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