Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The White Paper on Defence set out the blueprint for a new Reserve Defence Force, while the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan, launched in July 2004, provided for the phased development of Reserve Defence Force capabilities in the period to the end of 2009. There were significant improvements to the quantity and quality of Reserve Defence Force training over the period of the implementation plan. However, this did not appear to improve retention rates as anticipated and strength continued to decline. In addition, the development of the integrated element of the Reserve Defence Force did not proceed as intended owing to low participation rates in pilot schemes in 2007 and 2008. Subsequently, budgetary constraints reduced the availability of paid training for members of the Reserve Defence Force and plans to send members overseas were postponed.

A value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force was launched in February 2010. This review is examining the lessons learned from the implementation plan with a view to bringing forward recommendations regarding the future development of the Reserve Defence Force. As the Deputy is aware, we dealt with this issue at some length yesterday at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.

In the period from December 2010 to the end of 2011 other priorities diverted analytical resources away from the value for money review. These priorities included the preparation of options for making savings arising from the national recovery plan and subsequently, in 2011, undertaking the comprehensive review of expenditure and the associated budgetary process. Work continued on the value for money review, but at a reduced rate.

In practical terms, the development of proposals for the Reserve Defence Force would have been premature in advance of the outcome of the comprehensive review of expenditure. The Government revised the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force to 9,500 personnel and in response I initiated a major reorganisation of the Defence Forces. This superseded prior recommendations regarding organisation and management of the Reserve Defence Force.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

My Department's CRE assessment recommended no further cuts to the Reserve pending the outcome of the VFM review. It is worth noting that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's central evaluation unit did not share this assessment. However, the budget for Reserve training was not reduced further in 2012 and limited recruitment within resource constraints is ongoing.

I have asked the steering committee to progress the review as quickly as possible and anticipate its completion by the end of September. I look forward to receiving the final report. At this point I do not wish to pre-empt potential findings or recommendations on the future role of the Reserve Defence Force that the steering committee may bring forward.

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