Defence Forces

Tuesday, 18 October 2022

Questions (396)

John Brady

Question:

396. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the Reserve Defence Forces for the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51603/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Defence

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The combined effective strength of the AR and NSR, at year end, for the past five years is set out below:

Year	AR & NSR Effective Personnel (at year end)
2021	1,489
2020	1,588
2019	1,673
2018	1,799
2017	1,856

The strength of the First Line Reserve, at year end, for the same period is as follows:

Year	FLR Personnel (at year end)
2021	271
2020	262
2019	272
2018	288
2017	271

The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the RDF.

I am very cognisant of the fact that the RDF strength level remains lower than the Establishment figure. However, I am aware of the many initiatives in place to recruit individuals to the Reserve. These include supports provided to maximise RDF recruitment, including use of social media, promotion through the DF Press Office, outreach activities by RDF members, and the use of PDF exit interviews which contain information on applying to the RDF. In addition, I am advised by the Military Authorities that a number of measures to streamline recruitment and induction process for the RDF are in train and it is hoped that they will yield a positive outcome.

While the commitment to restoring the strength of the RDF is not in doubt, it is noted 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, RDF recruitment will continue to be progressed to the greatest extent possible.

Heretofore, there was no provision in the Defence Acts to allow RDF personnel to be deployed overseas. However, the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 has been signed into law, which serves to update the Defence Legislation on the use of the RDF on a voluntary basis, on-island and overseas in support of the Permanent Defence Force.

The Deputy will be aware that the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF), published last February, contains many detailed recommendations, including on the future structure and role of the RDF. As the Deputy will also be aware, in July, I announced that the Government has approved a move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework by the Commission.

This will result in the Defence budget rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State. This will allow for the required substantial transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment that were identified by the Commission.

A High Level Action Plan (HLAP) that sets out the Government’s response to the CODF has also been approved.

Some specific initiatives include the immediate commencement of planning for the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs with the priority objective of developing a regeneration plan for the Reserve Defence Force.