Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are essentially budgeting for increased activity in this area in which we will actively seek new recruits. Following the publication of the value for money report on the Defence Forces Reserve, a revised strength ceiling of 4,069 was introduced for the Reserve. A campaign is under way to recruit further members to the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve with the objective of reaching the target strength levels. We have budgeted for 26,000 training man days - I am not sure that is politically correct terminology - this year. To achieve this, we must recruit more Reserve members and are actively seeking to do so.

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl and other Deputies have raised this issue at Question Time in the House. There are practical reasons it is difficult for some of those who would like to join the Reserve to do so. For example, the timing of medical examinations, training and so forth may make it difficult for members of the Reserve to hold down a career in another field. We are examining all of these issues and a civilian-military discussion is under way to ascertain how the attractiveness of the Reserve forces could be improved.