Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
74. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Reserve Defence Forces; the establishment figure; the targeted number of recruits; the number of applications; the number inducted, by branch, in the years 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6940/24]
View answerThe Military Authorities advise that the end of year effective strength of the RDF, from 2020 to 2023, is the follows:
|
RDF Effective Strength |
Establishment |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Army Reserve (AR) |
3869 |
1463 |
1373 |
1415 |
1323 |
|
Naval Service Reserve (NSR) |
200 |
125 |
116 |
103 |
84 |
|
Total |
4069 |
1588 |
1489 |
1518 |
1407 |
They have also advised of the number of applications received, and the number of inductions into the RDF, in the same period, and is provided below:
|
RDF |
2020Apps |
2020Inductions |
2021Apps |
2021Inductions |
2022Apps |
2022Inductions |
2023Apps |
2023Inductions |
|
AR |
1426 |
62 |
76* |
29 |
1193 |
90 |
828 |
60** |
|
NSR |
244 |
7 |
12 |
156 |
110 |
6 |
||
|
Total |
1670 |
69 |
76 |
41 |
1349 |
90 |
938 |
66 |
*2021 Competition only ran for Army Reserve (1Bde – Tralee).
** increase in previously reported figure as one further induction that occurred in December was added to the military reporting system in January.
In addition to current recruitment and retention measures for the RDF, a long term regeneration plan is being prepared following the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF). This plan is being developed by the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) which was established last year on foot of recommendations in the Report from the Commission on the Defence Forces.
A competition was launched on the 3 October 2023. As of 19 Jan 2024, 853 valid applications have been submitted. There are currently over 800 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.
The induction of personnel has been facilitated through the implementation of the 'Managed Induction Process' whereby each applicant is assigned a Recruitment Liaison Officer (RLO) who maintains contact with them throughout the induction process. The aim of this close liaison is to facilitate an expeditious and efficient recruitment process from application to attestation.
I would like to assure the Deputy that it is my aim, and that of the Chief of Staff, to ensure that the regeneration of the RDF remains a key goal in 2024 and beyond.
