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Defence Forces Reserve Strength

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Ceisteanna (110)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

110. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the permitted strength by rank and unit for the Reserve Defence Forces; the effective strength of the force at the most recent date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22593/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The numerical establishment of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve is set out in the following table.

Rank

Army Reserve Establishment

Naval Service Reserve Establishment

Total

Lieutenant Colonel

5

0

5

Commandant

60

4

64

Captain

107

20

127

Lieutenant

110

0

110

Sergeant Major

1

0

1

Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant

0

4

4

Company Sergeant

38

8

46

Company Quartermaster Sergeant

38

0

38

Sergeant

301

16

317

Corporal

708

32

740

Private

2,501

116

2,617

Total

3,869

200

4,069

The current effective strength (as of 31 March 2018) of the Reserve Defence Force is 1,777 personnel (1,653 Army Reserve and 124 Naval Service Reserve).

I am aware that there is a shortfall between these figures and those of the establishment.  A recruitment campaign for both the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve is currently taking place and will close on 4 June 2018. The 2017 recruitment campaign for the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve began in July 2017 and attracted 1,221 applications. A total of 139 new recruits were inducted into the RDF in 2017 and in 2018, as of 14 May, a further 55 personnel were inducted.

I would like to assure the Deputy that I remain committed to the ongoing development of the RDF within the framework set out in the White Paper on Defence.

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