Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014
535. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the current effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force, with figures broken down for the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve; and when he foresees the beginning of recruitment to fill vacancies in the RDF. [2440/14]
View answerThe effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force at the end of November 2012, the latest date for which figures are available stood at 4,371, broken down into 4,191 Army Reserve and 180 Naval Service Reserve. Work is continuing on the implementation of the reorganisation and the development of the single force concept and a review of the number of active members of the RDF is currently being compiled in this regard. As part of this process, the criteria for participation in the RDF are also being reviewed and updated and a recruitment plan is being developed. I anticipate that consideration of these issues will be completed in the near future.
In the context of the foregoing up to date strength figures for the Reserve Defence Force are not currently available. I will provide this information directly to the Deputy once it comes to hand.
