Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
346. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the maximum number of recruitment applications the Defence Forces can process in a year for the Reserve and Permanent Defence Force, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5687/21]
View answer351. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the reason current recruitment structures mean that the Permanent Defence Force and Reserve Defence Force must compete for the resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5692/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 351 together.
New organisational structures were introduced for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in 2013 which involved the establishment of a ‘Single Force’ structure. Under the Single Force Structure, Formations play a central role in RDF and Permanent Defence Force (PDF) recruitment, with oversight provided by Recruitment and Competitions Section. From January 2021, a rolling recruitment model for the RDF is being implemented, which is similar to the model currently used for the PDF General Service recruitment.
In the context of finite resources and personnel, it is necessary to strike an appropriate balance in terms of PDF and RDF recruitment in order to maintain the capacity of the Defence Forces to undertake all roles assigned by Government. While the Government remains fully committed to on-going recruitment in the RDF, 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, PDF recruitment is, and will remain a priority. However, recruitment to the RDF will be progressed having regard to the available resources.
The military authorities have advised that while the organisation can process a significant number of applications in any given year, the volume is dependent on a number of variable factors.
