Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of persons within the Defence Forces in terms of wholetime equivalents employed prior to the introduction of the moratorium; the estimated number currently employed; the target point at which point there moratorium will end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20057/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotions in the Public Service was implemented by the Government on 27 March 2009 until the end of 2010. It is a matter for Government to decide whether or not to extend the Moratorium beyond 2010.

Strength returns for the Defence Forces are prepared on a monthly basis. The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 March 2009, when the moratorium was introduced, was 10,325 full time personnel, comprising 8,433 Army, 833 Air Corps and 1,059 Naval Service. The strength of the Reserve Defence Force was 7,513, comprising 7,218 Army and 295 Naval Service.

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 30 April 2010, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,856, comprising 8,036 Army, 797 Air Corps and 1,023 Naval Service. The strength of the Reserve Defence Force on the same date was 6,304, comprising 6,035 Army and 269 Naval Service.

I am acutely aware of the impact of the moratorium on the Permanent Defence Force, particularly in light of the very high turnover rate that is part of any military organisation. Within the available resources, the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at a level of 10,000 all ranks, for which Government approval has been secured in the context of Budget 2010. This figure reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

Targeted recruitment will be carried out in 2010 to maintain the operational capability of the Defence Forces. In this regard, advertisements were recently placed for recruitment to the Naval Service and some further recruitment to the Defence Forces is also under consideration in the same context. In addition, officials from the Department are continuing to engage with the Military Authorities in relation to the review of structures and posts required to meet the operational requirements of the Permanent Defence Force in light of the Government decision to maintain a complement of 10,000 serving personnel.

Within the Reserve Defence Force, limited recruitment to fill vacancies arising due to existing members resigning, or being discharged in the normal manner, is continuing, subject to the overall strength level that existed at 1 January 2009 (7,671) not being exceeded. This ongoing limited recruitment is being closely monitored and will be kept under review in the light of the future budgetary provision available to the Department of Defence.

I am advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government, both at home and overseas.