Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 394: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 18 May 2010, if he will provide in terms of whole time equivalents a breakdown by rank of the members of the Permanent Defence Forces prior to the introduction of the moratorium; if he will further provide the same information relating to those currently employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22740/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The strength of the Permanent Defence Force as at 31 March 2009 was 10,325 and 9,856 as at 30 April 2010. A breakdown of these strengths, according to formation and rank, is provided in the tabular statements.

As previously advised in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 18 May 2010, 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.

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.