Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

As Deputy Calleary knows, the defence organisation has a proud record of reform and modernisation and the number of Defence Forces' personnel, civilian employees and civil servants within the Department of Defence has reduced while capabilities and services have improved. This is in contrast to the broader public sector where overall numbers increased during the past decade. This afternoon, I outlined my view that the Permanent Defence Force should be maintained at a strength of approximately 9,500 personnel.

I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 30 September, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,458, comprising 7,666 Army, 784 Air Corps and 1,008 Naval Service personnel. A total of 290 general service recruits have been enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force to date in 2011. This figure comprises 215 Army, 35 Naval Service and 40 Air Corps. There has also been an intake of 32 cadets in recent weeks. The need for further recruitment will be kept under review in light of the demands arising across the three services and the resources available.

The budgetary consolidation measures called for under the terms of the EU-IMF agreement require savings across all Departments. The Government's comprehensive review of expenditure is intended to provide options with regard to meeting these consolidation targets. The deliberative process leading to the defence 2012 budget allocation is ongoing and is encompassed within the broader expenditure review process.

The Government will shortly begin the process of finalising expenditure plans as part of the 2012 budgetary process. As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot answer questions about the 2012 budgetary envelope until after the relevant decisions are taken and announced.

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