Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide details in tabular form of all occasions on which Defence Forces personnel were deployed for civilian events from March 2011 to date in 2012; the cost of each deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48468/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Defence Forces receive an extensive number of requests each year from individuals, organisations and from Government Departments and Agencies to deploy personnel to civilian events. These events range from a local charity organisation, where a handful of personnel might provide a Military display, to a national event such as the annual National Day of Commemoration where the Defence Forces have a key ceremonial role. Given the number and scale of these requests, it would not be feasible to capture the details sought in respect of every occasion where Defence Forces personnel were deployed for civilian events. I have however detailed the personnel numbers involved in some of the higher profile events in the tabular statement below.

Details in relation to the costs of these deployments are not recorded as no significant personnel costs arise as a result of the Defence Force's participation in these events. The only costs that may arise are in relation to subsistence and transport/fuel costs. These are not captured for every individual event but should the Deputy identify a particular event(s) that is of interest to him, I will request my Department to calculate the costs that may have been incurred and I will write to the Deputy directly.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Defence the measures he will undertake to ensure that rural Reserve Defence Forces outposts are maintained and fully supported by permanent members of the Defence Forces. [48459/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Arising from the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE), the Government stablised the strength ceiling of the PDF at 9,500 personnel. A major re-organisation of the PDF was initiated which will entail a reduction in the number of Army Brigades from three to two. As part of this re-organisation the number of PDF personnel (known as PDF Cadre) available to work full-time with the Army Reserve is being reduced to 24 in each Brigade (48 in total). Additional support will be provided to the Army Reserve from PDF Units as part of their ongoing duties.

In light of the reduction in the number of full-time PDF Cadre, it is clearly not feasible to staff all posts in the same way as they are currently staffed and alternative approaches must be developed. I understand that the Steering Committee that undertook the VFM Review had due regard to the revised PDF structures and resource constraints when framing their recommendations.

As the proposed responses to these recommendations are currently being developed, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this point.