Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
847. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number currently serving in the Reserve Defence Forces; and the full year cost of increasing the numbers from this current level to 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 4,500, 5,000 and 5,500. [11630/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently published White Paper on Defence sets out a developmental path for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). It provides that the overarching establishment of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) will be 4,169 personnel, consisting of 3,869 Army Reservists and the expansion of the establishment of the four NSR Units from currently 200 personnel to 300. The current total strength for the Reserve Defence Force is 2,009 effective personnel and subhead A5 provides for a budget €2.115 million for paid training. The budget is sufficient having regard to the existing strength of the AR and NSR.
Indicative costs of meeting the Paid Training requirements for the notional increase in RDF numbers outlined in the question are set out in the tabular statement.
|
Strength Level |
Increase above current strength |
Additional Paid Training Cost |
|
3,000 |
991 |
€1,043,287.71 |
|
3,500 |
1,491 |
€1,569,668.99 |
|
4,000 |
1,991 |
€2,096,050.27 |
|
4,500 |
2,491 |
€2,622,431.56 |
|
5,000 |
2,991 |
€3,148,812.84 |
|
5,500 |
3,491 |
€3,675,194.13 |
It should be noted that providing for numbers beyond the current establishment would require a reappraisal of organisational structures and levels and costs of PDF support required and given the establishment set in the White Paper and the current reserve recruitment challenges, such an increase is not envisaged.
