Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012
522 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider lifting the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the Reserve Defence Forces as this volunteer service has historically successfully assisted many recruits in gaining full time employment in various careers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29065/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra523 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Defence his plans to lift the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the Reserve Defence Forces whose members are volunteers rather than public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29054/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 523 together.
Recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is ongoing but limited due to resource constraints. The current budgetary provision provides for approximately 30,000 paid training mandays. In 2011 and 2012, I sanctioned paid training mandays to include support for the training of new recruits to the RDF. This was sufficient to train approximately 400 recruits during 2011 and 2012. The military authorities manage recruitment in this context. The numbers actually enlisted in any one year may not reflect the numbers of recruits trained in that year. In 2011 there were a total of 267 reservists enlisted and up to the end of May 2012 there have been a total of 85 enlistments to the RDF.
In October 2011 I agreed to sanction limited promotions within the RDF to bring the current strength in all ranks to 70% of the established strength in each rank as provided for in Defence Force Regulations CS 4. In the case of promotions from Private to Corporal, the sanction provided that promotions could be made which brought the strength to 60% of the established strength as provided for in Defence Force Regulations CS 4. I also indicated that any ranks where the strength was at or above 70% (or 60% in the case of Corporal Rank) would not be considered for promotion. In considering the issue of promotions for the RDF I was mindful of the fact that a Value for Money Review of the Reserve is ongoing. Additionally I had to have regard to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which was underway at the time and which placed a requirement on Government Departments to identify opportunities for savings across all aspects of business. The position agreed by me in October last remains in place.
