David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 488: To ask the Minister for Defence, further to Parliamentary Question No. 446 of 18 January 2011, the number of Permanent Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Force applicants currently awaiting processing by the Garda Central Vetting Unit; the number of PDF and RDF applicants who received clearance by the unit each month from September 2010 to March 2011, respectively; the number of same attested per month; the number who have not been attested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9285/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Military Authorities that there are currently 534 Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and 239 Reserve Defence Force (RDF) applications for security clearance awaiting processing by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. These numbers include serving members of the PDF and RDF who are required to be re-vetted on transferring to specific posts. A breakdown of these numbers between new applicants and serving members is not readily available. The following details the number of PDF and RDF applicants who received clearance by the Garda Central Vetting Unit each month from September 2010 to March 2011:

General Service Recruitment to the PDF is undertaken on a Brigade by Brigade basis. The numbers to be inducted to each Brigade is dependent on the requirement of the Brigade but will generally consist of one or more platoons, each of which normally consists of 40 recruits.

The following details the number of PDF and RDF applicants who have been attested each month from September 2010 to March 2011:

A total of 42 personnel are due to be recruited to the PDF on receipt of clearance from the Garda Central Vetting Unit.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Defence the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force at 31 March 2011; if he will provide a breakdown of same per brigade; the maximum number of effective personnel allowed per brigade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9286/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the military authorities that the total strength of the Reserve Defence Force at 31 March 2011 was 5,728, of which 986 were non-effective, giving an effective strength of 4,742. A national breakdown of the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force per Brigade is provided in the tabular statement overleaf. I am aware that effective numbers in the Reserve have declined over recent years. The total strength of the Reserve includes personnel who are categorised as effective and non-effective. As provided for in Defence Forces Regulation R5, personnel are removed from the effective strength of their Units and are placed on the non-effective list primarily for failure to meet minimum training requirements. These personnel remain liable for call out on permanent service or service in Aid to the Civil Power. Since 2004, with the role of the RDF Review Implementation Plan, the military authorities have increased their efforts to ensure that only those members who meet the requirements remain on the effective list.

The number of personnel in the Reserve Defence Force is dependent on funding being available for training. The Deputy will appreciate that there would be little point recruiting personnel if it is not feasible to provide for their training. The funds available for paid training days have reduced from €4.96 million in 2009 to €2.48 million in 2011. This will allow for the recruitment of a further 200 recruits in 2011 whilst providing training for existing members of the Reserve (based on uptake of paid training over recent years).

This level of recruitment was recently agreed with the Military Authorities, having regard to the requirement to maintain the existing capabilities of the Reserve to the greatest extent possible. Details of the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force at 31 March 2011 per Brigade.