Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Defence if the steering committee has been established to oversee and manage the value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Government's 2009 – 2011 programme of Value for Money and Policy reviews, The Department of Defence is committed to undertaking a Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force in 2010.

A Steering Committee comprising representatives from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Finance has been established and will have its inaugural meeting in early February. An independent chair for the Steering Committee, drawn from a panel established for this purpose by the Department of Finance, has been appointed. This is in accordance with revised guidelines for the conduct of Value for Money Reviews.

The terms of reference for the review will be drafted by the Steering Committee in consultation with the Department of Finance. When terms of reference are approved, the Steering Committee will decide on the most appropriate methodology and develop a project plan. It is anticipated that this Review, together with the lessons learned from the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan, will assist in informing decisions regarding the future development of the Reserve Defence Force and I look forward to receiving the Steering Committee's recommendations in due course.