Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
615. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel by rank in the Reserve Defence Forces; the number for the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20918/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).
The most up to date figures available for the effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR), as of 30 June 2020, are set out below:
The figures for the First Line Reserve for the same years are as follows:
As at 30-Jun-20
|
FORMATION* |
OFFR |
NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
ARMY |
1 |
13 |
137 |
151 |
|
AIR CORPS |
|
4 |
21 |
25 |
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
3 |
14 |
87 |
104 |
|
TOTAL |
4 |
31 |
245 |
280 |
31-12-19
|
FORMATION* |
OFFR |
NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
ARMY |
16 |
13 |
136 |
164 |
|
AIR CORPS |
2 |
4 |
20 |
26 |
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
17 |
12 |
85 |
114 |
|
TOTAL |
35 |
28 |
241 |
304 |
31-12-18
|
FORMATION* |
OFFR |
NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
ARMY |
16 |
11 |
130 |
157 |
|
AIR CORPS |
2 |
4 |
19 |
25 |
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
17 |
9 |
80 |
106 |
|
TOTAL |
35 |
24 |
229 |
288 |
31-12-17
|
FORMATION* |
OFFR |
NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
ARMY |
22 |
11 |
123 |
156 |
|
AIR CORPS |
3 |
4 |
19 |
26 |
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
20 |
7 |
62 |
89 |
|
TOTAL |
45 |
22 |
204 |
271 |
While a recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR was opened in March 2020 and 44 new members have been inducted thus far in 2020, the restrictions imposed in the interests of public health as a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic have had a significant impact on many Defence Forces activities, particularly those involving collective training. As such, it has been difficult to conduct RDF inductions.
The Government remains committed to on-going recruitment in the AR and NSR. I am advised that, while there are no specific dates as of yet, it is anticipated that another recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR will be opened in autumn 2020.
