David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Defence, further to his announcement last year regarding Reserve Defence Forces promotions, the number of officer-level promotions he expects to be announced this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14294/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In considering the issue of promotions for the Reserve Defence Force I was mindful of the fact that a Value for Money Review of the Reserve is ongoing. Additionally he had to have regard to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which was underway at the time and which placed a requirement on Government Departments to identify opportunities for savings across all aspects of business. In October 2011, I agreed to sanction limited promotions within the Reserve Defence Force to bring the current strength in all ranks to 70% of the established strength in each rank as provided for in Defence Force Regulations CS 4. In the case of promotions from Private to Corporal, the sanction provided that promotions could be made which brought strength to 60% of the established strength as provided for in Defence Force Regulations CS 4. I also indicated that any ranks where the strength was at or above 70% (or 60% in the case of Corporal Rank) would not be considered for promotion.

The position agreed by me in October last remains in place. While it is not possible to put a figure on the actual number of promotions which will take place this year at officer level, in those ranks where strengths fall below 70% of the strength provided for that rank, promotions may take place to bring the officer numbers in the rank to 70% of the rank as provided for in Defence Force Regulations CS 4.

The table below shows the established strength of the officer corps of the Reserve Defence Force, the actual strength of the officer corps at 31 January 2012, the latest date for which figures are available, and the number of promotions required to bring each rank to 70% of its established strength at that point in time.

The total number of promotions required at officer level to bring those ranks to 70% of established strength is 68.