Michael Moynihan
Ceist:91. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to revitalise the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2736/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 January 2024
Ceisteanna (91)
Freagraí scríofa
The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) contained a number of recommendations on the Reserve Defence Force. Two recommendations from the report, denoted as ‘Early Actions’, related to the establishment of an Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) and the development of a Regeneration Plan for the Reserve.
The ORA has been established and is currently staffed by 7 members (6 PDF and 1 RDF).
Following the establishment of the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA), the Director of ORA advises that their immediate focus is on the development of a Regeneration Plan.
65 additional new members were inducted in 2023, 59 inducted into the Army Reserve and 6 inducted into the Naval Service Reserve. A recruitment drive for the RDF was launched last year in October 2023, which was advertised across a number of media channels. Recruit Liaison Officers across the RDF conducted local recruitment to attract applicants for this campaign.
Other strategies employed have involved the use of social media, the Defence Forces Press Office, outreach activities by RDF members, and the use of PDF exit interviews which provided information on applying to the RDF.
Work has also been completed on streamlining the two-stage medical process and fitness testing is now completed before medicals. To date, there are over 800 live applications resulting from the Oct 2023 campaign, with 34 medicals completed.
A more robust and streamlined recruitment process lends itself also to the CoDF recommendations relating to the structure and strength of the RDF, such as increasing the future RDF establishment strength to include, at a minimum, an Air Force Reserve of 200, and a Navy Reserve of 400.
The budget of €2,050,000 for the RDF was exceeded last year by nearly €190,000, due to an increase in training days completed by RDF members in 2023. This is a clear example of the positive growth and regeneration of the RDF in 2023 and, as a result, an increase in the budget has been provided for 2024.
I would like to assure the Deputy that it is my aim, and that of the Chief of Staff, to ensure that the regeneration of the RDF remains a key goal in 2024 and beyond.