Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:394. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of recruits enlisted to serve in the Reserve Defence Forces since 2010 in tabular form. [18860/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 13 April 2017
Ceisteanna (394)
Freagraí scríofa
The table below sets out the number of recruits to the Reserve Defence Force since 2010:
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Number ENLISTED |
441 |
274 |
362 |
1 |
157 |
344 |
78 |
32 |
As I have stated previously, my Government colleagues and I remain committed to the ongoing development of the Reserve, within the framework set out in the White Paper on Defence.
Recruitment to both the PDF and RDF remains a priority in 2017. Membership of the RDF is voluntary and unpaid and the quest for recruits must compete with the other organisations within the voluntary sector. These conditions along with the unique demands of military service make the issue of attracting recruits a challenging one. In the context of both finite resources and personnel, it is necessary to strike an appropriate balance in terms of PDF and RDF recruitment, so as to deliver the desired effects of maintaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to undertake all roles assigned to it by Government and to advance the single force structure. It is anticipated the next RDF recruitment campaign will commence in the second half of 2017. Until then the RDF will continue to induct from the 2015/2016 panel. The Defence Forces are reviewing the 2015/2016.