Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who have retired, resigned or left for other reasons for the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24367/10]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Defence the breakdown of the number of members of the Defence Forces who have retired, resigned or left for other reasons for the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010, by rank in tabular form; the number of persons who have left the Defence Forces over the same period on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24368/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.

The number of Defence Forces personnel who have retired, resigned or left the organisation between 2008 and 30 April 2010, the latest date for which figures are currently available, is set out in the tabular statements according to rank and County in the case of the PDF and rank and Brigade in the case of the RDF.

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 reflects the reductions in personnel recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes.

I intend, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles while contributing to the necessary public service economies. I am advised that, at this time, the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas.

PERSONNEL DISCHARGED FROM THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE 1 JAN 2008 – 30 APR 2010