Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2008
204 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Defence the number serving in the Defence Forces Reserve; the effects that the reduction in funding from €10.49 million in 2008 to €10 million in 2009 will have on recruitment and retention; if it is his policy to reduce the RDF to 50% of the numbers aspired to in the White Paper on defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43090/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe White Paper on Defence 2000 outlines the blueprint for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) comprising approximately 12,000 personnel. This policy position has not changed. The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan was formally launched in July 2004 and provides for the phased enhancement of Reserve capabilities over the period to the end of 2009. The plan set out the proposed establishment of the Reserve. The Non-Integrated element of the Reserve has an establishment of 9,692, which came into force in October 2005 when the Reserve was re-organised. The military authorities have informed me that the strength of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve as at 31 October 2008 was 7,767.
In addition, the plan provides for the development of an Integrated element of the Army Reserve with a proposed establishment of 2,656 personnel. In line with the plan a pilot Integration project was initiated in 2007 and whilst numbers participating were less than expected and disappointing, valuable lessons were learned. The pilot was extended into 2008 and the military authorities are currently reviewing the project. A report will be submitted to me outlining options for the further development of the Integrated Reserve.
I have previously acknowledged that numbers in the Reserve have declined over recent years. This trend in reduced volunteerism is not confined to the Reserve but is indicative of broader societal trends. It should be noted that, as part of the implementation process, a more rigorous approach is now taken to removing the names of non-effective personnel from Unit rolls. This accounts for part of the apparent fall in numbers over recent years.
The implementation plan was developed on foot of comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders. The changes that have been introduced were identified as being necessary to ensure continued recruitment and retention within the Reserve as well as to enhance the capabilities of the Reserve and had the broad support of the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association. The decline in numbers over recent years has occurred despite the progressive implementation of the plan and the significant improvements that this has brought to the Reserve. Members of the Reserve undertake both paid and unpaid training. The provision in Subhead D for 2009 is €10 million. This represents approximately a 4% reduction from the 2008 provision.
The estimate for subhead D has been revised down over recent years in response to reduced outturn and to provide for the actual needs of the Reserve. It is anticipated that the 2009 provision will adequately provide for actual Reserve needs. Recruitment to the Reserve will be kept under review. There will be a continued requirement to ensure that levels of paid training are managed to ensure that all personnel are afforded the opportunity to undertake paid training.
