Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the proposed awareness and recruitment campaign for the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3502/09]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to continue the ongoing policy of recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force through regular targeted recruitment campaigns. [3518/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 127 together.

The Government decision of 8th July 2008 set out a requirement for savings to be achieved across the public sector. In this context, the recruitment and awareness campaign planned for 2008 for the Reserve Defence Force was postponed. There are no plans to initiate a central recruitment and awareness campaign in the current year.

The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan outlined a range of measures to improve the capabilities of the Reserve over the period to end 2009. All of the elements of the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation plan were identified as being important motivators for recruitment and retention of members of the Reserve and significant progress has been made to date in implementing the plan provisions.

The decision to postpone the recruitment and awareness campaign was not taken lightly. It is intended to re-visit this important project when the prevailing budgetary situation permits.

Recruitment to the Reserve will continue. However, this will be kept under review in light of the prevailing budgetary situation.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Defence if recruitment for general service, apprenticeships and cadetships, respectively, is planned for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3549/09]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Defence the strength of the Defence Forces; and the recruitment plans for 2009. [3353/09]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of recruits taken into the Defence Forces throughout 2008, broken down in respect of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service; the number expected to be recruited during 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3510/09]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Defence the cutbacks implemented in 2008 in regard to recruitment to the Defence Forces; the recruitment cutbacks it is intended to make during 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3512/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 130, 135 and 148 together.

I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 31 December 2008, the most recent date for which figures are available, was 10,408. A total of 507 recruits were enlisted into the Permanent Defence Forces during 2008. 441 were recruited to the Army and 66 to the Naval Service. In addition, 41 Cadets commenced their cadet training in September 2008.

In common with other areas of the public service a reduction of 3% in payroll costs has been applied to the Defence Forces.

Recruitment was suspended in late 2008 pending a review of the best means by which to achieve this reduction. My officials and the military authorities are keeping the situation under close review on an ongoing basis. The review and any subsequent recruitment in 2009 will prioritise the operational requirements of the Defence Forces.