Written answers

Wednesday, 12 December 2007

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Strength

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has provided the necessary financial resources in budget 2008 to provide for an additional provision of up to 350 troops to be in training at any given time for the Permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34425/07]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Estimate for 2008 provides for an average of 10,500 Permanent Defence Force personnel. In practice this means that the actual strength at any particular time may vary above or below that figure, depending on the rate of wastage and the timing of recruit intakes. The Estimate for 2008 provide for an increase of around 7%, one of the largest year on year increases for a number of years. This major commitment is being made against a particularly difficult background where Government has had to make though decisions about priorities.

Due to the requirement to prioritise funding for the Chad mission, it has not been possible to provide funding in 2008 to increase the approved strength of the Permanent Defence Force. However, the matter will be further considered in the context of the 2009 Estimates.

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