Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
344. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the resources required to be available to improve recruitment into the Reserve Defence Force in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40290/20]
View answerA recruitment campaign for the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) was opened in spring of this year. However, the restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic have had a significant impact on certain Defence Forces activities, leading to difficulties in conducting inductions and training, including for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF).
I have recently been advised by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) that a second recruitment campaign for the RDF will not proceed this year and from January 2021, a rolling recruitment model for the RDF will instead be put in place, which is similar to the model currently used for the PDF General Service recruitment.
While the Government remains fully committed to on-going recruitment in the AR and NSR, it should be noted that the same personnel and resources are utilised for both PDF and RDF recruitment. Given the competing recruitment demands at present, Permanent Defence Force (PDF) recruitment is, and will remain a priority. However, RDF recruitment will also be progressed to the greatest extent possible.
