Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of positions, at all ranks, currently vacant or waiting to be filled in the Army, Navy and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7193/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The table that follows outlines the number of vacancies in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. The number of vacancies, by rank, is based on the Employment Control Framework of 10,000 all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force versus the strength of 9,438 as at 31 December 2011, the latest date for which figures are available. As the Deputy will be aware a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces will be initiated resulting from the Government decision to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500. This re-organisation, which will prioritise "front line" service delivery, will have an impact on the number of vacancies in each rank. I have asked the Chief of Staff and Secretary General to bring forward detailed re-organisation proposals for my consideration. The effect of the changes cannot be determined until the proposals are considered and decisions made.

Arrangements are currently being made to hold Officer promotion competitions which have already been announced. Meanwhile promotion boards for Non-Commissioned Officer competitions are being put in place.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps; the strength of the Reserve; the degree to which the numbers have fluctuated in each of the past five years to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7194/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps was 7650, 997 and 791 respectively, giving a total of 9438 on 31 December 2011, the latest date for which figures are available. The strength of the Army and Naval Service Reserves on the same date was 4995 and 225 respectively, giving a total of 5220. The strength of the Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps and the strength of the Reserve at 31 December in each of the years 2007-2011 is contained in the following tables:

Defence Forces, Army, Navy and Air Corps

Reserve

It is the Government's intention that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to operate effectively across all of the assigned roles to them. It was against this backdrop, and having regard to restricted financial allocations, that the Government decided to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel. This recognises the significant modernisation that has been achieved to date.

In response to this revised strength ceiling of 9,500, there will be a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces encompassing a reduction in the number of Army Brigades from three to two. I have asked the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence to bring forward detailed proposals for my consideration.

Although Defence resourcing has further reduced for 2012, the allocation for paid training for the Reserve Defence Force in 2012 will be maintained at 2011 and 2010 levels. In addition to training for existing members of the Reserve, this will provide for training of approximately 400 new recruits to the Reserve Defence Force during 2012.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength of the FCA; the extent to which ongoing training and equipment remains available to the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7195/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As of 31 December 2011, the strength of the Army Reserve was 4,995 and the strength of the Naval Service Reserve was 225, a combined total of 5,220. The Reserve Defence Force Implementation Plan has provided the framework for the development of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve since its launch in 2004. Under the plan Reserve equipment was improved and new training syllabi were developed. A Value for Money Review of the Reserve is ongoing and recommendations regarding the future development of the Reserve will be brought forward in due course.

The reduced resource envelope available to Defence has necessarily impacted the Reserve. The level of paid training has reduced accordingly. However, a provision of 30,000 paid training days is allocated for 2012. This is the same as in 2010 and 2011. This, in tandem with unpaid training undertaken by members of the Reserve, is sufficient to ensure ongoing training for active members of the Reserve.