Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the reported resignation of almost 5,000 members from the Army Reserve during the past four years; the current membership of the Reserve and its establishment level; the steps he proposes to take to stem the flow of members from the Reserve and to replace those who have left; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34479/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The White Paper on Defence 2000 outlines the blueprint for the Reserve Defence Force, RDF. The Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan provides for the phased enhancement of Reserve capabilities over the period to the end of 2009.

The plan provided for a non-integrated Army Reserve with an establishment of 9,292 personnel and a Naval Service Reserve with an establishment of 400 personnel, and these revised organisational structures came into effect in October 2005. As of 31 October 2007, there are 8,939 effective personnel, comprising 8,598 in the Army Reserve and 341 in the Naval Service Reserve. In addition, the plan provides for the development of an integrated Army Reserve. In accordance with the implementation plan, a pilot scheme has been initiated in 2007 and 180 personnel have completed the required training.

It should be noted that, as part of the implementation process, a more rigorous approach is now being taken to removing the names of non-effective personnel from unit rolls. This accounts for part of the fall in numbers. It is widely accepted that the retention of volunteers, in today's world, is increasingly difficult. I do not believe this is specific to the Defence Force Reserve. It is well known that many organisations have experienced difficulties in retaining volunteers. The challenge is to ensure that the Reserve remains an attractive and challenging option for members while ensuring that the appropriate capabilities are developed.

The many changes that have been introduced on foot of the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan are addressing some of those key issues. Improvements in clothing, equipment and quantity and quality of training have been delivered. These factors were identified as being important issues for members of the Reserve, as well as being necessary to improve the overall capability of the Reserve.

Additional Information not given on the floor of the House.

The piloting of the integrated element of the Reserve is also providing the opportunity for those members of the Reserve who wish to avail of the increased training opportunities that this provides.

In recognition of this increased commitment by members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve, I have brought forward proposals to the Minister for Finance for a significant increase in the gratuity that is paid to members of the Reserve who complete specified voluntary training. The outstanding elements of the implementation plan will be addressed over the period to the end of 2009.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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The Minister will agree that when 40%, over 5,000 members, of a force disappear over a four-year period it is a serious matter, although I accept the point that some of those would be non-effective personnel. What effort has been made to ascertain the reason people left? Was a questionnaire provided, for example, either on a straightforward or confidential basis to ascertain why people left? If that has not been done, will the Minister take up the matter with the Defence Forces? That would be a worthwhile exercise because if the Minister does not know the reason people left, it is difficult to rectify the deficiencies in the current system.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I would not agree with Deputy O'Shea that there has been a fall-off of 40% in strict numbers terms. I have some figures in that regard. It may be 40% but the recent emphasis on taking non-active people, those who do not turn up for training on a regular basis, off the rolls has played a major part. Efforts were made to find out the reason people left. The Reserve Defence Force implementation group did a detailed survey on the reason people left and it was the results of that survey that informed the plan it has put forward. Some of the reasons it found were insufficiency of training, the financial rewards and alternative activities for people to do. It also found that the way the process was structured and organised in different locations throughout the country was not done to best effect. There is a detailed report on that which I can supply to Deputy O'Shea should he so wish. As a result of that investigation the group has made those recommendations. They are to be developed in two phases. We have substantially delivered on the first phase and we are now moving on to the second phase.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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In the period in question up to September of this year I calculate that 8.7% of officers, 17.9% of NCOs and 43.6% of privates have left. That is a matter of concern. Does the Minister know of any specific reason officers, for example, would have left? Are there any area specific proposals in this regard? In other words, are we simply embarking on a "one size fits all approach" or are there specific proposals for constituencies like mine which does not have a permanent Army presence similar to the one in the Minister's constituency and in a number of other constituencies?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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It is not a case of taking a "one size fits all" approach. The geography is important, as I pointed out. The Deputy will find that in the report and also in the recommendations.

On the numbers, the target in the White Paper between the integrated element of the Reserve and the ordinary element is approximately 11,800. The standing amount was approximately 8,939 on 31 October, almost 9,000, and therefore we are 2,500 to 4,000 short. That is a challenge we must meet in an environment where people have increasing demands on their time.