Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made on the creation of the integrated reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25779/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Reserve Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan provides for the re-organisation and development of the Reserve Defence Forces on a phased basis up to the end of 2009. The development of an Integrated Army Reserve is included in the Plan. A pilot scheme for the Integrated Reserve was run in 2007 and while numbers participating were small (180 completed training), very valuable lessons were learned.

The pilot scheme has been reviewed by the Military Authorities and lessons learned have been taken into account. The pilot scheme has been extended into the current year and it is anticipated that approx. 370 personnel will complete training in this year's scheme.