Defence Forces

Wednesday, 17 January 2024

Questions (169, 170)

Matt Carthy

Question:

169. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of permanent members within the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service; the corresponding number for each January in each of the years 2010-2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1943/24]

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Matt Carthy

Question:

170. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of members in the Reserve Defence Forces and the Naval Reserve; the corresponding number for each January in each of the years 2010-2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1944/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Defence (Deputy Micheál Martin)

It is not possible to collate and confirm the required information in the time available. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information is made available to me.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to the above mentioned Parliamentary Question for answer on 5 December 2023: “To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of members in the Reserve Defence Forces and the Naval Reserve; the corresponding number for each January in each of the years 2010-2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter”.

The information requested has been collated and is set out below.

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).

The Military Authorities advise that the current effective strength of the RDF, as of 31 December 2023, is 1,407 (1,323 - AR and 84 - NSR) and a FLR strength of 282.

The following table contains the effective strength of the AR and NSR. Yearly figures provided, from 2010 to 2023, are as at 1 January each year:

Year	AR	NSR	Total
2023	1,415	103	1,518
2022	1,373	116	1,489
2021	1,463	125	1,588
2020	1,534	139	1,673
2019	1,666	133	1,799
2018	1,732	124	1,856
2017	1,927	122	2,049
2016	2,142	138	2,280
2015	2,159	143	2,302
2014	3,073	155	3,228
2013	4,680	137	4,817
2012	4,995	225	5,220
2011	5,901	182	6,083
2010	6,351	293	6,644

The strength of the FLR, as of 1 January each year, for the same period is as follows:

Year	FLR
2023	277
2022	272
2021	263
2020	290
2019	288
2018	273
2017	255
2016	239
2015	243
2014	246
2013	262
2012	281
2011	317
2010	354

A recruitment drive for the RDF in 2022 resulted in over 1000 applications being received. On the 3 October 2023, the recruitment portal opened again and 200 applications were received in 38 hours. This is a welcome development. There are currently 844 live applications proceeding through the system with 34 medicals completed.

Work has been completed on streamlining the two-stage medical process and fitness testing is now completed before medicals. A more robust and streamlined recruitment process lends itself also to the CoDF recommendations relating to the structure and strength of the RDF, such as increasing the future RDF establishment strength to include, at a minimum, an Air Force Reserve of 200, and a Navy Reserve of 400 and it is the Government's commitment in line with the CoDF recommendations to strengthen the RDF in this regard.

The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the RDF. Following the establishment of the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA), the Director of ORA advises that their immediate focus is on the development of a Regeneration Plan.