Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
604. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits to the Reserve Defence Forces to date in 2020 with regard to all three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20610/20]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that 44 new members have been inducted into the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) from 1 January to 28 July 2020, broken down as follows:
AR and NSR Inductions
|
Year |
Total |
AR |
Male |
Female |
NSR |
Male |
Female |
|
2020 |
44 |
42 |
36 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
While a recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR was opened in March 2020, the restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic have had a significant impact on many Defence Forces activities, particularly those involving collective training. As such, it has been difficult to conduct RDF inductions.
The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the AR and NSR. I am advised that, while there are no specific dates as of yet, it is anticipated that another recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR will be opened in autumn 2020.
