Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to introduce a redundancy scheme for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7811/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There are no plans to introduce a redundancy scheme for the Defence Forces; in fact, limited recruitment has been taking place since 2010 in the context of the Employment Control Framework (ECF) for the Defence Forces. The Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force within the resource envelope made available by Government.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 31 March 2011, the latest date for which figures are available, was 9,692 comprising 7,894 Army, 788 Air Corps and 1,010 Naval Service personnel. I am advised at this time that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the roles assigned by Government.