Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
393. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Defence the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of personnel in the Army Reserve to 5,000 and the Naval Service Reserve to 500 personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37609/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulatory establishment of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) is 4,069 personnel, as provided for in Defence Force Regulation CS4. The current effective strength is 1,555 personnel, as of 31 May 2021.
Expenditure relating to the cost of the AR and NSR is drawn from a range of subheads. Subhead A.5 of the Defence Vote provides for a budget of €2.15 million of which €2.068 million is allocated for paid training for members of the AR and NSR. This allocation provides for seven days annual paid training for each effective member of the AR and NSR. The budget additionally provides for fourteen days paid training for all additional personnel recruited to the AR and NSR in 2021, along with career and specialist courses for selected members of the Reserve in line with Reserve priorities.
This provision is sufficient having regard to the established strength of the RDF and the voluntary nature of Reserve training, and can be adjusted if required.
Providing for numbers beyond the current establishment would require extensive consideration of the capability requirements underpinning such an increase, and as assessment of the associated cost implications which, as with the PDF, would include both personnel and equipment costs. I am advised that the Department has not compiled, and does not hold, such costings.
