I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve at 30 September 2011, the latest date for which figures are available, was 5,362. There were 5,107 personnel in the Army Reserve, 31 personnel in the Reserve Defence Force Training Academy and 224 personnel in the Naval Service Reserve. The strength of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve at 31 December in each of the years 2006-2010 is contained in the table.
Year
|
Strength
|
2006
|
9,134
|
2007
|
8,408
|
2008
|
7,671
|
2009
|
6,644
|
2010
|
6,083
|
I am aware that the numbers in the Reserve have declined over recent years. The total strength of the Reserve includes personnel who are categorised as effective and non-effective. As provided for in Defence Forces Regulation R5, personnel are removed from the effective strength of their Units and are placed on the non-effective list primarily for failure to meet minimum training requirements. These personnel remain liable for call out on permanent service or service in Aid to the Civil Power. Since 2004, with the role of the RDF Review Implementation Plan, the military authorities have increased their efforts to ensure that only those members who meet the requirements remain on the effective list. The number of personnel recruited to the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve is dependent on funding being available for training. The Deputy will appreciate that there would be little point recruiting personnel if it is not feasible to provide for their training. The funds available for paid training days have reduced from €4.96 million in 2009 to €2.48 million in 2011. This allows for the recruitment of 200 recruits in 2011 whilst providing training for existing members of the Reserve (based on uptake of paid training over recent years).
This level of recruitment was agreed with the Military Authorities, having regard to the requirement to maintain the existing capabilities of the Reserve to the greatest extent possible.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force ongoing along with a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE). The resource envelope within which the Defence Organisation will have to operate from will be determined as a result of the CRE process. This will in turn impact upon the resources available to the Reserve. Any options/recommendations arising from the Value for Money Review report will have to be considered with due regard to the available resource envelope following the CRE.