Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made on the creation of the integrated reserve as defined in the White Paper on Defence; the number of personnel now serving in the integrated reserve; the target number of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22083/07]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Defence the establishment and the actual appointments filled in the integrated and non-integrated sections of the Reserve Defence Force respectively; the number of each rank who have attended annual training to date in 2007 in both the integrated and non-integrated sections respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22138/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 27 together.

The White Paper on Defence 2000 and the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan of 2002 set out the blueprint for the RDF with an implementation plan extending to 2009. The implementation plan is being rolled out on a phased basis and there has been significant progress in implementing its detailed recommendations, such as a new organisational structure implemented with effect from October 2005 and major improvements in clothing, equipment, training and resourcing. The RDF is now structured along similar lines to the Permanent Defence Force, namely, three brigades and the RDF training centre.

The introduction of the integrated element of the reserve is being addressed in the current year as a pilot exercise across all three brigades. The director of Defence Forces training has issued a comprehensive range of syllabi providing for training of the integrated reserve. The outputs from the pilot exercises are currently being reviewed by the military. This will provide the necessary information to plan for the future development of the integration process.

The numbers participating in the pilot integration training schemes are set out in the form of the following tabular statement. A total of 180 personnel have completed the training to date. While the numbers participating in the integrated reserve have been less than anticipated, I am satisfied that the pilot project marks a significant step forward in implementing the plan. The integration project will be reviewed in the light of experience this year with a view to improved participation in subsequent years.

The breakdown by rank of the establishment for the non-integrated reserve and the number of reservists in each rank who attended annual camp up to 30 September 2007 are presented in the following tabular statements. A total of 4,731 reservists attended camp representing approximately 74,743 man days. I am pleased to inform the House that I have approved a publicity and awareness campaign to promote recruitment to the RDF in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government. This will commence early in 2008. I am pleased that the implementation plan is progressing well. My Department will continue to monitor progress in the remaining period of the plan.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I will be brief, as Deputy Stanton, a former local defence man, wishes to contribute to the debate. How successful is integration and can the difficulties be resolved? Should more people be volunteering for integration from the first line reserve rather than the second line because the first line, comprising former members of the PDF, has been trained and would be more ready for integration than the second line? What target has the Minister set for numbers in the integrated reserve? Does he hope to see many of its members serving abroad, for example? Have any served abroad to date or are there plans for them to serve in future missions?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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As time is running out, Deputy Stanton should contribute.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Regarding the 4,000 people going to camp this year and the expenditure incurred by the RDF, has the Minister plans for the RDF's functions? Given the drugs floating in the sea off west Cork and Kerry, would he take on board the idea that the RDF could act as a coastal watch? Does the Minister agree that members of the RDF are anxious to serve and perform roles other than parading and training?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputies raised a number of issues. As recommended in the White Paper, much work has been done to substantially reorganise the reserve, which now mirrors the structure of the PDF. Extra money has been spent on clothing, training, updating equipment, etc. Now that those changes have been made, the process of integration will begin.

The take-up in the pilot programme is disappointing and a long way short of the target, but I hope matters will improve next year. I agree that there are difficulties, but the military assures me that they can be resolved. It is evaluating the experience of the people who took part in the pilot project and working out ways around the difficulties. Integration is voluntary and reservists cannot be forced into becoming part of the integrated reserve. The Army will develop a number of ideas to improve the situation next year.

We are working towards giving the reserve, in particular the integrated reserve, new functions. Deputy Stanton's idea is a good one and I will discuss it with the appropriate authorities.