Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The current number of Defence Forces Reserve, DFR, personnel based in Dublin is 948. This number is divided into the various DFR units and sub-units currently in the Dublin area.

With regard to future plans for the Defence Forces Reserve, as the Deputy will be aware, I recently published a value for money review of the Defence Forces Reserve. The steering committee concluded that the current reserve organisation was not fit for purpose and required radical reform. The central recommendation of the VFM steering committee is that the Reserve be retained, with 4,000 personnel spread countrywide and based in barracks and 16 other locations. This requires the consolidation of existing Reserve units throughout the country into a smaller number of full strength units. The retention of all locations was not a viable or sustainable option.

I have accepted the steering committee’s recommendations and directed that proposals for new organisational structures be prepared, taking account of the VFM report and the major reorganisation of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF. The Chief of Staff and Secretary General submitted an agreed report which set out detailed reorganisation proposals, including unit structures and the location of Reserve units. I have accepted these proposals.

A new single force concept will see PDF units having reserve components rather than a parallel Reserve, as is currently the case. Reserve units within barracks will be supported by their parent PDF unit and the 16 units outside PDF installations will be supported by dedicated full-time PDF personnel. This concept offers significant potential advantages in terms of training and development of the Reserve. The initiative of locating Reserve officers within the Defence Forces management structure will likewise underpin the future reserve. Work on implementing the recommendations of the VFM is under way.

In the light of my acceptance of the recommendations made in the VFM report, I have no plans for the expansion of the Defence Forces Reserve.

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