Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Defence his views that arising from the consequences of the Troika agreement, if it will be possible to maintain the full scale of activity, services and support for the Defence Forces without the further downsizing and /or closure of barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21236/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In the context of the very serious economic crisis that this country is experiencing, all elements of Defence expenditure have been critically reviewed in order to deliver savings. The required savings of recent years, in both pay and non-pay, have necessitated a flexible and adaptive approach from the Defence Organisation. A key focus has been the prioritisation and maintenance of Permanent Defence Force operational capacity in order to ensure that the Permanent Defence Force retain the capacity to fulfil all roles assigned.

Arising from the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in 2011, the Government agreed to stabilise the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel.

The Defence Organisation has recently undertaken further significant re-organisation and reform as a result of the revised strength ceiling. These changes are designed to ensure that the Defence Forces organisational structures are configured to maximise required capabilities. There were no barrack closures as part of this process.

The Chief of Staff has advised me that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to fulfil all roles assigned by Government. The operational capacity of the Defence Forces will continue to be prioritised within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.