Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Defence the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Forces officers by rank and brigade. [28977/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A table outlines in detail the effective strength of Officers of the Reserve Defence Force, Army, Naval Service Reserve & RDF Training Authority - DFTC by rank as of 31 August 2011, the latest date for which figures are available. As of 31 August 2011 there were five hundred & thirty eight effective officers in the RDF.

Officers of the Reserve Defence Force - Effective Strength at 31 August 2011

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of officers promoted under DFR R5 para 31(2) each year since 2005 and to date in 2011; and if it is his policy to continue such promotions for those qualified in 2011. [28978/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities advise that in order to provide the information requested by the Deputy it is necessary to consult with each of the RDF Formations across the country and for this information to then be collated. It has not been possible to do this within the time available but the military authorities assure me that the work is being prioritised and will be provided to me for transmission to the Deputy at the earliest possible opportunity.

I would like to advise the Deputy that the issue of promotions within the Reserve Defence Force is something that I have given consideration to recently. In doing so I was mindful that a Value for Money Review of the Reserve is ongoing and additionally there is a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which places a requirement on Government Departments to identify opportunities for savings across all aspects of business. Following consideration of the issue and pending completion of these two Reviews, I agreed to sanction limited promotions within the Reserve Defence Force to bring the current strength in all ranks to 70% (60% at Corporal rank) of the established strength in each rank as provided for in Defence Force Regulations.