Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 3: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of posts within the Defence Forces vacant due to the moratorium as of 1 November 2009; the number per brigade and by service; if he has been requested by the Chief of Staff or others in the Defence Forces to vary the nature of the moratorium in view of the impact it is having on the functioning of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42385/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 October 2009 was 10, 013 broken down as follows: 807 for the Air Corps, 1,031 for the Naval Service and 8,175 for the Army. On 31 October 2009 the difference between the authorised strength of the Defence Forces and the actual strength was therefore 487. The distribution of these vacancies between the various formations is being managed by the Chief of Staff on an ongoing basis. The detailed breakdown between the various formations is not immediately available and can be forwarded to the Deputy if required.

I am acutely aware of the impact of the moratorium on the Permanent Defence Force, particularly in light of the very high turnover rate that is part of any military organisation. I am monitoring that impact on an ongoing basis in conjunction with the Chief of Staff and my departmental officials. Specific requirements have been identified and I am in ongoing contact with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, regarding limited exceptions to the moratorium, which are targeted at maintaining the operational capability and command arrangements of the Permanent Defence Force.

To date, I have obtained sanction to fill a number of key posts, including Deputy Chief of Staff, operations, two brigadier-general posts and director of military prosecutions as well as achieving agreement to recruit 42 cadets for which the competition has been recently run. In addition, sanction was granted for 42 acting appointments for our mission to Chad and 20 for Kosovo. I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas.

The Defence Forces have improved in every respect since 2000 through the implementation of the White Paper. This represents a significant public service success story. However, the economic reality is such that the defence organisation must contribute to the correction of the public finances. I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles. Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010. That will include consideration of the McCarthy report and the decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister has more or less accepted that the continued extension of the recruitment and promotions ban is affecting the operational efficiency of the organisation to some extent. He is no doubt aware that staff are acting up to a level for which they are not qualified. The services are being carried out on a must-do basis because of legal and personnel requirements. The operational efficiency of the organisation is currently affected. Those persons who were due for promotion before the moratorium should be entitled to be promoted.

Did the Minister indicate that there would be a recruitment drive for the Permanent Defence Forces next year, and that he would get that concession to make up for the approximately 500 members he has lost to date?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the difficulties the moratorium is causing, not just in the Defence Forces but in other parts of the public sector. It is a necessary measure to bring the public finances back into order, which everyone agrees should be done. The moratorium has hit the Army particularly hard because there is a high level of turnover in any military organisation. The problems adverted to by Deputy Deenihan have been brought to my attention. That is why I have asked the Minister for Finance, first, to recognise certain acting-up appointments, second, to allow me to go ahead with a certain number of promotions, including in those instances to which Deputy Deenihan referred and, third, to allow me to start recruiting now to the Permanent Defence Forces so that the numbers do not drop any further, as they inevitably will unless we proceed with some recruitment now.

Our discussions have not concluded yet, but I have made the strongest case possible to the Minister for Finance. I have spoken to him on a number of occasions and the matter will be concluded shortly. I do not wish to pre-empt what the conclusion will be but the Deputy knows my aims.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Given that the Army probably will be called in next Tuesday in a significant way, is the Minister satisfied that the personnel is available to it at this stage in spite of the lack of recruitment and promotion to meet the tasks the Government might assign next Tuesday? Is he satisfied the necessary capacity is available?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Chief of Staff and the Army command that the Army remains fit for purpose for whatever duties might be assigned to it either at home or abroad.