David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress to date with the value for money review of the Defence Forces Reserve; when he expects this review to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30196/10]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the value for money review of the Defence Forces Reserve and the value for money review of general service recruits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30154/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 67 together.

The VFM review of the Reserve Defence Force, which was selected for review as part of the 2009 – 2011 phase of the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review initiative, commenced in February 2010. A Steering Committee comprising representatives from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Finance has been formed. In accordance with revised guidelines for the conduct of Value for Money Reviews, an independent chair was appointed to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee has met on three occasions since the review commenced and a further meeting is scheduled for this week. A Working Group has also been formed to assist the Steering Committee with the review, comprising both civil and military personnel.

As part of the review process, the Steering Committee have established an appropriate consultative mechanism for all key stakeholders and I understand that the representative associations have recently been invited to make written submissions. It is expected that the findings of the Value For Money review, including the lessons learned from the RDF Review Implementation Plan process, will complement the development of the new White Paper. The target date for the completion of the review is end 2010.

A VFM review of the Training of General Service Recruits was also approved for inclusion as part of the 2009 – 2011 phase of the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review initiative. This review is scheduled for completion by end 2011 and has not commenced as yet.