Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that the numbers in the Army Reserve Defence Force will reach 12,000 as stated in the White Paper on Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36016/08]

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, comprising approximately 12,000 personnel. The RDF review implementation plan was formally launched in July 2004 and provides for the phased enhancement of reserve capabilities until the end of 2009. The plan set out the proposed establishment of the reserve. The non-integrated element of the reserve was to have an establishment of 9,692, which came into force in October 2005 when the reserve was reorganised. The military authorities have informed me that the strength of the reserve as at 31 August 2008 was 7,856.

The plan provides for the development of an integrated element of the Army reserve with a proposed establishment of 2,656 personnel. In line with the plan, a pilot integration project was initiated in 2007 and, while numbers participating were much lower than expected, valuable lessons were learned. The pilot was extended into 2008 and the military authorities are currently reviewing the project. A report will be submitted to me outlining options for the further development of the integrated reserve.

I have previously acknowledged that numbers in the reserve have declined in recent years. This trend in reduced volunteerism is not confined to the reserve, but is indicative of broader societal trends. It should also be noted that, as part of the implementation process, a more rigorous approach is now taken to removing the names of non-effective personnel from unit rolls. This accounts for part of the apparent fall in numbers in recent years.

In light of the Government decision of 8 July 2008 requiring savings across the public sector, a planned recruitment and awareness campaign for the reserve has been postponed. It is intended to revisit this important project when the budgetary situation permits.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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The reserve has, more or less, been abandoned by the Government. The Minister has tried to explain the declining numbers, but the current figures fall far short of the projected 12,000 and the revised figure of just over 9,000. It is less than 8,000 and declining rapidly. Does the Minister agree that there may be a correlation between this and the decline in the reserve's funding? In 2007, funding was at €13 million. In 2008, it was at €10.45 million. It will be further reduced to approximately €10 million. Not enough resources and funding are being invested in the RDF to encourage people to join.

What is the proposed RDF training budget for 2009? What was the man day expenditure in 2008 as opposed to what was budgeted for it? These are important questions.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I deny that the Government has abandoned the reserve. Everyone understands that numerous savings across different sections and Departments are necessary given the current budgetary situation.

Beyond the reserve, there has been a decline in the number of volunteers. This is affecting the reserve's numbers. Another impact stems from the active attempts to remove non-effective personnel from rolls. Deputy Deenihan referred to a figure of 12,000. The projected figure for the non-integrated reserve is approximately 9,600, but the current complement is approximately 7,800. It has been subjected to a rigorous attitude towards the removal of non-active members from the rolls, which was not present previously.

Deputy Deenihan's budgetary figure of €10 million is approximately correct. Going from memory, a reason for the declines in 2007 and 2008 was that the numbers coming forward did not necessitate that level of funding. Those figures comprised all of the expenditure incurred. A number of improvements have been made to build up the reserve. For example, we have improved the available weaponry and training. I have instituted a graduated gratuity scheme whereby people training for a certain amount of days get one amount, people training for more days get a larger amount and people training for the integrated reserve get an even larger amount. We were to have a recruitment campaign, but I have postponed it temporarily.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I will allow Deputy Deenihan to ask a brief supplementary question because I want to allow another question.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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It is obvious that the integrated reserve is not working. The reaction from PDFORRA and RACO suggests this is an exercise that will not work and that it may represent a waste of valuable resources. Will the Minister consider abandoning the proposal entirely?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Deenihan is correct that the response to date has been disappointing. Perhaps the requirements are too rigorous. However, there is no intention of abandoning the scheme. Instead, we are considering various ways of making it more attractive and easier for people to come forward.