Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:1332. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost to the Exchequer of returning the Reserve Defence Force to pre-2009 levels. [13044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
1332. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost to the Exchequer of returning the Reserve Defence Force to pre-2009 levels. [13044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the military authorities that in 2008, the establishment for the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) was 9,692. The establishment for the RDF is now 4,069. The White Paper on Defence 2015 allows for an increase of 100 personnel in the Naval Service Reserve, revising the overarching establishment of the RDF is 4,169.
The following table was provided in response to PQ No. 11630/17 and is indicative of costs of meeting Paid Training requirements for notional increases in RDF numbers.
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 |
The Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Reserve Defence Force at or near the establishment figure as set out in the White Paper. Providing for numbers beyond the current establishment would require a reappraisal of the associated organisational structures, levels, and costs of the PDF support required and such a re-appraisal is not envisaged.