Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Defence the total number of personnel in the Army, Naval Services and Air Corps who have retired in the current year or are due to retire in 2012; the extent to which it is intended to replace such retirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31718/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The number of personnel who have left the Permanent Defence Force broken down by Army, Naval Service and Air Corps to date in 2011 is contained in table 1 below. The total number of personnel due to retire on age grounds from the Permanent Defence Force during the remainder of 2011 and in 2012 are contained in table 2 below. It is not possible to estimate how many personnel will leave the Permanent Defence Force for reasons other than age during this period.

Table 1. Personnel who have left the PDF to date in 2011

Table 2. Anticipated PDF retirements on age grounds from 26/10/2011 to 31/12/2012

I am advised that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas. I have also made it clear that I will endeavour to ensure that the Defence Forces are organised, equipped and staffed so that they retain the operational capability to deliver the services required of them by the Government.

The Government is currently undertaking a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and my Department has submitted a report as part of that process. The Government's decisions arising from the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure will further inform the resource envelope available for Defence over the coming years and the priorities within Defence. Delivering public services within a reduced resource envelope is a key challenge facing the entire public service.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he has had discussions with the various representative bodies in the Defence Forces with a view to ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted operation of the services even in the context of the ongoing economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31719/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he has had discussions with the various representative bodies within the Defence Forces with particular reference to issues with which such bodies have expressed concerns; his response to any such concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31723/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 111 together.

Since taking up office as Minister for Defence, in March, I have met with each of the Defence Forces Representative Associations. On 8 April 2011, I met with both the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA). At these meetings the Associations raised with me the issues of concern to their members. In that regard, among other issues, we discussed the Croke Park Agreement, the implementation of the Employment Control Framework, the reorganisation of the Defence Forces, the reduction in the numbers serving in the Defence Forces and the importance of ongoing targeted recruitment and the filling of vacancies in the command structure so as to maintain essential Defence Forces operations and capabilities. On 6 May 2011, I met with Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association (RDFRA) who outlined their concerns in relation to recruitment and promotion within the RDF so as to maintain its operational capability.

At these meetings, I outlined the very difficult decisions facing the new Government in the context of the extremely adverse economic and financial environment facing the country. I also acknowledged the major contribution which the Defence Sector has already made to the process of budgetary adjustment to secure economic recovery and renewal. In the context of the resource constraints we face, the Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014 (Croke Park) is a key enabler of change and modernisation in the whole of the public service, including the Defence Forces. The Croke Park Agreement enables the Defence Forces to continue to deliver essential services and operational outputs within a reduced resource envelope. I acknowledged that implementation of the Agreement by all personnel in the Defence Forces is vital to enable the ongoing modernisation and maintenance of the Defence Organisation.

All meetings were conducted in a very positive and constructive manner. I confirmed to the Associations that I was committed to maintaining the essential capabilities of the Defence Forces within the resource envelope available. I also assured them of my commitment to Defence Forces participation in international peace support operations and my understanding of the importance of such operations to maintaining military capability and the professional development of the Defence Forces. I recognised the important contribution which the Associations can make to the ongoing modernisation of the Defence Forces. Despite the difficult circumstances we face, it is important that we engage all stakeholders in the process of reform and transformation and address, as far as we can, the concerns of those effected by the difficult decisions required. I advised the Associations that they could seek to meet me at any time on issues of concern to them and assured them that my officials would continue to engage pro-actively with them through the various consultative arrangements already in place.

My officials meet with RACO and PDFORRA on a fortnightly basis in relation to Croke Park implementation. They also meet regularly in various committee and council meetings under the Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme. My officials also meet with RDFRA as required. Obviously, members of the Defence Forces can also transmit their concerns through the operational chain of command. I am regularly briefed by my officials and by the military authorities including on ongoing progress on the modernisation agenda and the issues and concerns of the Associations.

I am satisfied that there are sufficient and robust systems in place within the Defence Organisation to ensure that issues of concern to members of the Defence Forces are brought to my attention, as appropriate.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of female members of the Defence Forces who have retired in the current year or are due to retire in 2012; the extent to which these are likely to be replaced at all levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31721/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A total of 19 female personnel have left the Permanent Defence Force in 2011. There are no female members of the Permanent Defence Force due to retire on age grounds during the remainder of 2011 or in 2012. It is not possible to estimate how many female personnel will leave the Permanent Defence Force for reasons other than age during this period. I have made clear that I will endeavour to ensure that the Defence Forces are organised, equipped and staffed so that they retain the operational capability to deliver the services required of them by the Government. To that end, and within the resource envelope available for Defence, there is an ongoing programme of investment in necessary equipment and targeted recruitment and promotion to maintain the essential capabilities of the Defence Forces. I am advised at this time that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.