Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the current numbers of the Reserve Defence Forces based in Dublin; his plans to expand the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54642/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The current number of Defence Forces Reserve, DFR, personnel based in Dublin is 948. This number is divided into the various DFR units and sub-units currently in the Dublin area.

With regard to future plans for the Defence Forces Reserve, as the Deputy will be aware, I recently published a value for money review of the Defence Forces Reserve. The steering committee concluded that the current reserve organisation was not fit for purpose and required radical reform. The central recommendation of the VFM steering committee is that the Reserve be retained, with 4,000 personnel spread countrywide and based in barracks and 16 other locations. This requires the consolidation of existing Reserve units throughout the country into a smaller number of full strength units. The retention of all locations was not a viable or sustainable option.

I have accepted the steering committee’s recommendations and directed that proposals for new organisational structures be prepared, taking account of the VFM report and the major reorganisation of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF. The Chief of Staff and Secretary General submitted an agreed report which set out detailed reorganisation proposals, including unit structures and the location of Reserve units. I have accepted these proposals.

A new single force concept will see PDF units having reserve components rather than a parallel Reserve, as is currently the case. Reserve units within barracks will be supported by their parent PDF unit and the 16 units outside PDF installations will be supported by dedicated full-time PDF personnel. This concept offers significant potential advantages in terms of training and development of the Reserve. The initiative of locating Reserve officers within the Defence Forces management structure will likewise underpin the future reserve. Work on implementing the recommendations of the VFM is under way.

In the light of my acceptance of the recommendations made in the VFM report, I have no plans for the expansion of the Defence Forces Reserve.

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply and the information provided. Question No. 18 in my name deals with a similar issue. I am sure that in due course the Minister will provide me with the figures in relation to the involvement of the Reserve Defence Force at local level. I have raised this issue because I am acutely aware, as I know the Minister is, of the major role played by the Reserve Defence Force, in particular with Civil Defence, in the front-line services which it provides.

I believe they are the best in the world at what they do. I ask the Minister to consider conducting a review of the Reserve Defence Force to determine how we can utilise them, as a voluntary body of men and women, to provide leadership training, promote community awareness and team work, as well as the development of a social conscience for many young men and women who may not have considered joining up to now. This could be done effectively and in a very cost-effective manner. I became more aware of the potential of the Reserve Defence Force recently through meeting a constituent of mine who is a doctor of science in Trinity College, a non-commissioned officer in the reserve and a fitness instructor in her barracks. She outlined to me how she has gained invaluable experience as a member of the reserve and the voluntary work she has undertaken with them has really helped her to grow as a person. It is based on that experience that I ask the Minister to consider this option.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has made a very interesting suggestion. I am conscious that the reserve trains but has not been deployed substantially to fulfil functions. I am concerned to ensure that the reserve force engages in work that is of benefit to the community and which its members feel is fulfilling, based on the training they have received. One of the difficulties at the moment, in practical terms, is that if an emergency arises, for example, the Civil Defence is called out. When members of the Civil Defence who are trained are called out, it does not result in any extra expenditure by the State. The reserve force is not called out, even though its members may be equally well trained because under the old system, being called out immediately incurred a cost to the State. If we can focus on providing the funding for training as opposed to for a gratuity and if the reserve, when called out, did so on a voluntary basis, there would be a greater opportunity for the reserve's engagement.

In the context of what the Deputy had to say about Dublin, he might be interested to know that under the reorganisation arrangements, units and personnel in the Reserve Defence Force are being moved across locations, similar to that which occurred in the course of the Permanent Defence Force reorganisation. I am advised by the military authorities that there are currently a total of 948 Reserve Defence Force personnel based in five locations in Dublin, namely Cathal Brugha Barracks, McKee Barracks, Baldonnel, Swords and St. Bricin's Hospital. Under the current reorganisation proposals, the Reserve Defence Force units in Baldonnel, Swords and St. Bricin's Hospital will be closed and these personnel will be reassigned. The strength of the reserve in the two retained locations in the Dublin area, namely Cathal Brugha Barracks and McKee Barracks, will be 518 personnel. Discussions are ongoing with Reserve Defence Force representative associations on the implementation of the reorganisation proposals, the implications for their members and how these can be addressed, including through possible transitional arrangements. I say that in the context of being aware that the numbers currently in Dublin exceed the numbers that will ultimately be in Dublin and I am anxious to ensure that those members of the reserve who are currently engaged can continue to be thus, if they so wish.