Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Defence if, in view of the fact that a new authorised minimum strength of 10,000 personnel has been agreed for the Defence Forces, the organisation has sanction for continuous recruitment as required to ensure that numbers are maintained at that level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9539/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces, of all ranks, at a level of 10,000, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of budget 2010. This reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes.

I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 January 2010 was 9,906, comprising 8,070 Army, 805 Air Corps and 1,031 Naval Service personnel.

As the numbers in the Permanent Defence Force have dropped below 10,000, recruitment will be carried out in 2010 in order to bring the numbers back to this level. Details of the recruitment campaign for 2010 in regard to the numbers of general service recruits and the commencement of any such recruitment campaigns are not yet available. Planning for this process is under way.

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 while contributing to the necessary public service economies.

I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by the Government at home and overseas.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Pat Carey. I had hoped he would be here as Minister for Defence. I am disappointed the Taoiseach, who has now assumed responsibility for the Ministry for Defence, is not present to take questions. He is now acting Minister for Defence and should be here to answer some very important questions. I hope sincerely the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, will be here as Minister for Defence at our next Question Time.

I am glad the Minister of State has confirmed the new authorised strength of the Defence Forces is 10,000. It is very important that the strength be maintained at this level. Considering that it has been confirmed by the Government and Department of Finance, should it not be open to the Defence Forces to commence recruitment immediately to maintain a strength of 10,000? Surely no moratorium should apply to recruitment to and promotion within the Defence Forces.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Deenihan for his good wishes. I have been asked to respond to these questions and I will do so to the best of my ability.

The Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Defence Forces at the level outlined. As Deputy Deenihan will know, a review of Defence Forces' structures is under way and it will inform the timing of the recruitment campaign. The Government is committed to the recruitment campaign for 2010. The question of whether there will be a cadet competition and an apprenticeship competition has not yet been decided but planning for the process is under way. I assure the Deputy everything will be done to ensure this is done as quickly as possible within the constraints every other part of the public service operates under.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I remind the Minister of State that, during the last Question Time, the former Minister for Defence made a commitment to us that he would be recruiting between 530 and 540 personnel and that the process would commence immediately. Will he confirm that this number will be recruited?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has given approval in the context of budget 2010 to maintain the strength of the Defence Forces at all ranks at 10,000. As I stated, the recruitment campaign will be initiated in line with what the former Minister stated.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister agree that the Defence Forces should have automatic authorisation to recruit immediately in view of the fact that the strength has been agreed?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, but the need to keep the expenditure of the Defence Forces in line with public service commitments will have to be adhered to. I assure the Deputy that the commitments that have already been made by the Government, in consultation with the representative bodies, will be adhered to. The focus will be on the operational capability of the Defence Forces in whatever decisions are taken.

The Deputy will be aware of some of the exemptions from the moratorium on recruitment that have been secured by the former Minister. The Minister for Finance's approval was received for the recruitment of 42 Army and Naval Service cadets in 2009. Sanction was also received to fill the post of deputy chief of staff (operations), two posts at brigadier general level, and the post of director of military prosecutions by way of promotion. The promotion of ten NCOs, whose promotion had commenced prior to the moratorium, has proceeded and sanction for 100 acting-up posts to service operational requirements, both at home and overseas-----

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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The former Minister for Defence announced that in the Irish Independent before the last Question Time.