Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his address to the Annual Delegate Conference of the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23364/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 15 May 2010 I addressed the 16th delegate conference of the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association, RDFRA. In my address I dealt with a range of issues, including the current challenging economic circumstances, which have required the Government to take tough and decisive action and which has won international respect. I made the point that whereas some of the necessary measures have been unpalatable, the Government is determined to do what it takes to put Ireland back on the road to sustainable economic recovery and growth.

Other issues I addressed related to recruitment and promotion, and the value for money review of the Reserve Defence Forces, RDF. The position on recruitment and promotion is that, as with the broader public service, the defence organisation is required to operate with reduced funding in 2010. Limited recruitment in order to replace existing members who leave the RDF was sanctioned last May. This is subject to the overall strength figure that existed at 1 January 2009, which was 7,671, not being exceeded. This ongoing limited recruitment is being closely monitored and will be kept under review in the light of the future budgetary provision available to the Department of Defence.

I outlined the position on the value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force being carried out under the Government's 2009 to 2011 programme of value for money and policy reviews on which work has recently commenced. I confirmed that RDFRA, as a key stakeholder, would be consulted during the course of the review. I informed the conference that it is envisaged that the review will be completed by the end of 2010. It is planned that the findings of the review, together with the lessons learned from the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan, will assist in informing decisions regarding the future development of the Reserve Defence Force. I look forward to receiving the steering committee's recommendations in this regard.

I also updated delegates on a number of specific issues which had been raised by the RDFRA general secretary and executive members when I met them on 28 April 2010. The issues included the post of the director of the Reserve Defence Forces and the position of paid training. With regard to the director appointment, I advised that this is being dealt with in the context of the review of structures and posts in the Permanent Defence Force. With regard to training I confirmed my commitment to ensure that in 2010, reservists who complete specified voluntary unpaid training will be afforded the opportunity to avail of a minimum of seven days paid training. I complimented the reserve on the time and commitment that members of the Reserve Defence Force have voluntarily given since the formation of the State.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I understand the paid training was reduced by approximately two thirds, which would be in line with the McCarthy recommendation. Will the Minister confirm if that is the case? In regard to recruitment, replacement recruitment up to a certain level was sanctioned by the Minister's predecessor in May last year. The level of recruitment into the Reserve Defence Forces has been nowhere near what is desirable for quite some time.

In the current position, where men and women under 25 are unemployed, is there not a very strong case for opening recruitment in the RDF? As the Minister knows, one of the suggestions from the RDFRA was that people be given six weeks of training and introduction into the Reserve Defence Forces in the leaving certificate year. In general terms, there is much concern among the Reserve Defence Forces about the length of the recruitment process. It has been suggested that this extends to more than six months but there does not seem to be a particular justification for that. Will the Minister consider the process from application to recruitment, as the period involved should be greatly reduced? There is a grave concern that people lose interest because this process drags on for so long.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The 2010 provision under subhead D is €4.7 million and this will provide approximately 31,000 paid man days. That will allow 3,500 members to undertake seven paid training days each with the provision for career courses and so on. The provision for 2009 was €8.9 million, of which €6.651 million was utilised. The number of training days utilised in 2009 was approximately 54,190. On that occasion, 3,565 reservists availed of paid training compared to the likely number of 3,500 this year.

Deputy O'Shea mentioned that the slow progress in recruitment was due to the slow process. It may well be a valid point and it has been mentioned by members of the reserves. There are probably other factors which may be more fundamental, as I commented in an earlier reply. We must consider the matter. We will have an opportunity to undertake some of this in the context of the value for money report, which we will receive and consider.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister might provide the House with some of his thoughts on the integrated Reserve Defence Force and the First Line Reserve. Does he still plan on going ahead with both? Will the reserves form part of future UN missions in which we are involved? At the conference, it was strongly conveyed that, to provide motivation, the integrated reserve would be the way forward, but that plan seems to have been abandoned by the Department.

It is alarming that, whereas there were 24,000 people in the RDF not too many years ago, the current number is approximately 6,000, which the Minister confirmed. Will he clarify his position on the integrated reserve and the First Line Reserve?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputies will be aware, considerable progress was made on the inclusion of RDF members in a UN mission. This plan did not proceed for a number of reasons. Until a new mission becomes available, progressing this element will not be possible, but it is held to be a matter of considerable importance by the representative association at the reserve level. The association has raised this matter with me at the conference and in my meeting with it. I would like to see the integration of reserve members in a mission developed.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Apart from training ad nauseam, what else does the reserve do? What is its role and function?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As set out, its role and function are to support the Permanent Defence Force in a number of operations. As I stated in connection with the Red Cross, some of this was envisaged in a period when the opportunities and threats presenting differed from those currently at play. I strongly suspect that the recommendation of a particular report to cut the numbers in the RDF to one third was driven by this view of the world and would reduce the potential and role of the reserve. It is not something to which I subscribe and I will deal with the matter as time allows.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will only allow a brief supplementary, as we are over time.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An issue arose at the conference, namely, delays in gaining medical and security clearances were holding up recruitment. Can the Minister do anything to accelerate the process? For example, one could enter the reserve defence force of our neighbouring jurisdiction more quickly than one could enter ours. Gaining medical and security clearances for the reserve in the UK is also faster.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's point is made.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the context of the Defence Forces and the RDF, everyone would accept that security clearances are important. Given the nature of the role, medical clearances are also an issue. As we all know, some delays have occurred partly because of the requirement for people in many service areas to have security and Garda clearances for certain activities and professions where such requirements did not apply previously.