Michael Moynihan
Question:35. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he plans any initiatives to boost participation in the Defence Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13022/24]
View answerThursday, 21 March 2024
Questions (35)
Written answers
The strategic objective for the RDF is the development of a Reserve Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy on a voluntary basis, with the Permanent Defence Force, both on-island and overseas. This is an underlying message in the Report from the Commission on the Defence Forces.
The structure and strength of the RDF is a key focus of the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) which was established in line with a recommendation from the Commission’s Report and its immediate priorities are the development of a Regeneration Plan, in addition to focusing on general recruitment into the RDF.
A more robust and streamlined recruitment process lends itself also to the CoDF recommendations relating to the structure and strength of the RDF.
A recruitment drive for the RDF was launched last year in October 2023, which was advertised across a number of media channels.
This competition is ongoing and I am advised that the ORA are supporting the induction process at all stages. To date, work continues on the 708 live applications currently proceeding through the system, with over 340 interviews concluded, 110 medicals completed, and 26 applicants already attested.
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.
Work has also been completed on streamlining the two-stage medical process and fitness testing is now completed before medicals.
In terms of the strength and structure of the RDF, one of the key recommendations from the Report is to increase the future RDF establishment strength to include at a minimum, an Air Force Reserve of 200, and a Navy Reserve of 400.
I am advised that a broad spectrum of initiatives are currently under development, to enable the RDF to deliver enhanced military capabilities where and when required in support of the PDF. These initiatives, and the enabling actions, will be outlined in the Reserve Defence Force Regeneration and Development Plan which is being drafted by the ORA. The plan,, which is to be submitted to me in the near future is due for publication early in Quarter 3 this year as per the Detailed Implementation Plan.
The Government remains committed to bolstering the numbers in the RDF and I am glad to report also that ongoing deliberations on the upper recruitment and mandatory retirement ages for the RDF are in the process of being concluded, in the context of recently announced changes for the Permanent Defence Force.