Written answers

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Strength

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

35. To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that he will be in a position to maintain the current strength of the Defence Forces including military installations and facilities notwithstanding the commitments entered into by his predecessors in office under the Memorandum of Understanding; if he expects that the normal and or periodic upgrading of facilities will be achieved in the short and medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29027/13]

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

Similar to all other Government Departments, it is imperative that the Department and the Defence Forces take into account the current difficult economic environment we are now operating in. The budgetary situation continues to dictate the level of funding available for recruitment, new equipment and upgrading facilities. In relation to the current strength of the Defence Forces I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 30 April 2013, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,163. This is against the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. In this context it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence.Targeted recruitment will ensure that into the future the Permanent Defence Force can continue to deliver all operational outputs required by Government in the domestic environment as well as for overseas peace support operations. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, is also available for deployments in response to emergencies and crises.

The Defence property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. The Department has been engaged on an ongoing programme of barrack consolidation since 1998. In addition to the main barracks a number of other smaller properties have also been identified as surplus to military requirements. Some of these have already been disposed of whilst others are in the process of being prepared for disposal. These mainly consist of married quarters and Reserve Defence Force premises.

The consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective in the ongoing defence modernisation programme and has been recommended in many reports over the past number of years. As the Deputy is aware I have indicated to the House previously there are no plans for further barrack closures. There is also a programme in place for the maintenance and development of necessary facilities to enable the Defence Forces to continue to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.