Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the total amount allocated to the Reserve Defence Forces' budget each year since 2005; if his attention has been drawn to the recent suggestions that the Reserve Defence Forces are being wound down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6412/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In regard to the total amount allocated to the Reserve Defence Force each year from 2005 to 2012, I propose to circulate a tabular statement setting out the information requested.

With regard to the future of the Reserve Defence Force, the Deputy will be aware that a major re-organisation is currently underway. This re-organisation is a key element of the response to the findings and recommendations of a Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force, which was published last November. The re-organisation is based on joint proposals from the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General, which I accepted. The value for money report found that the current Reserve organisation was not fit for purpose and required radical reform. Significant issues such as low uptake of training and a high turnover of personnel combined with a low strength level served to adversely impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Reserve. The review highlighted a range of issues that needed to be addressed in order to improve the effectiveness of the Reserve Defence Force.

A new “Single Force” concept will see Permanent Defence Force units having Reserve components, rather than a parallel Reserve as at present. Reserve units within barracks will be supported by their parent PDF unit and the 16 units outside of 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.

The re-organisation of the Reserve Defence Force is in response to a compelling case for reform and will dovetail with the significant changes that are occurring in the PDF organisational structures. They will ensure a better Reserve and enhance overarching Defence capabilities. The high level group with responsibility for implementing the re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force is now implementing the re-organisation of the Reserve. The contribution and commitment of all members of the Reserve is appreciated and I sincerely hope that all members of the Reserve will continue to serve within the new organisation.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I managed to get my hands on some of the figures that I requested. I had not realised that my party had submitted a Parliamentary Question on the issue not so long ago. The response received indicates that funding for the Reserve Defence Force reached a peak in 2006, when the allocation was just over €13 million. The latest figures for 2011 indicate that the funding had dropped to €4.386 million, which is almost a third of the level in 2006. Those figures do not lie. It is clear that there has been, sadly, an incremental erosion of the role of the Reserve and the funding for them. The phrase "value for money" is a most unfortunate one because often what it means, when one strips away the varnish, is straightforward, simple cutbacks.

I have spoken to members of the Reserve Defence Force, as I am sure the Minister has, not just in Donegal but elsewhere and have asked them about their impression over the last number of years. They are very saddened by what is happening because the Reserve Defence Force are a link of patriotism between our Defence Force, of which we are immensely proud, particularly for their peace-keeping role around the world, and our local communities. This is particularly the case for young people. I represent Donegal North East and was told that at a Reserve Defence Force open day in a local secondary school, over 100 young people expressed an interest in joining. However, due to the restructuring, that is not going to be practically possible for many of them because the training facilities are now centralised and are a considerable distance away from places like north Inishowen. In many rural parts of Ireland it will no longer be practical for young people to participate in the Reserve Defence Force and to give, in their own way, patriotic service, not just to the Defence Forces, but to their local communities.

I am afraid that the figures do not lie. We need to be honest about what has been happening in recent times.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The reduction in the allocation to the Reserve Defence Force over the period in question was addressed in the value for money report. The key variable in determining the level of training costs over the period 2006 to 2009, for example, was the uptake of both paid and unpaid training by members of the Reserve. As the uptake of training was on a voluntary basis, associated costs were demand led. The costs incurred for paid training were less than those anticipated due to the lower uptake of paid training and less than anticipated strength levels. The reality is that there was a designated strength level for the Reserve which was never achieved and far too few members of the Reserve were engaging in the recommended minimum seven day's training. This issue was addressed very substantially in the value for money report, which is why the reforms are being introduced. The cut in the number of Permanent Defence Force support staff accounts for the bulk of the savings that are being effected, following on from the value-for-money report. The money available for training activity by the Reserve is being maintained in order to ensure sufficient paid training for a strength level of 4,000 personnel. I am hoping, ultimately, that as a result of the reforms we will have 4,000 personnel who all participate in the minimum seven-day training programmes and that instead of us having a nominal strength, we have a real strength.

In the most recent year, 2011, only 2,500 members of the Reserve were engaged in seven full training days, although gratuities were being paid to approximately 5,000 members.

The real problem is that we have individuals involved in the Reserve who take up the training days and provide for the operational possibilities the Reserve is designed to provide for.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Thank you, Minister. We move on to Question No. 3.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Chairman, I think I should be allowed to ask a supplementary question.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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We have run out of time, Deputy. It is very strict. Four minutes are allowed for each reply.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I have to contest that ruling, Chairman. Time must be allowed for a supplementary question to a priority question. I have never seen a Deputy being denied the right to ask a supplementary to a priority question.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There are four minutes for the reply.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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In that case, something is wrong here. A Deputy is always allowed a short period for a supplementary question. My supplementary will be very short.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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It is usual to allow a supplementary question, Chairman.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There is a total of six minutes for each question and reply.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Yesterday, a question I had tabled was not reached because Priority Questions took such a long time.

I will leave it at that and come back to the Minister with my question later.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have to do my duty. I do not enjoy it.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister is attempting to give a comprehensive answer. That answer should not deprive Deputies of the opportunity to ask a supplementary question.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The last supplementary question went into three minutes and I warned the Deputy when there were two minutes remaining for the reply. Please be reasonable.