Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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A report regarding eyesight standards required for the Naval Service Reserve recruits has been submitted to the general staff by the Naval Service's flag officer commanding. The findings of this report will be considered in due course. I would like to have this sorted out before the Reserve recruitment campaign if at all possible. I hope this will be sorted out shortly. In 2019 there will be two recruitment campaigns for the Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve, one in March and the second in October. Support is being provided to maximise recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force through the use of social media and outreach activities for Reserve members. Permanent Defence Force exit interviews now provide information on applying to become a member of the Reserve. There were 124 Reserve Defence Force inductions in 2018, 139 in 2017, 18 in 2016, 344 in 2015 and 157 in 2014. The Chief of Staff has appointed an officer to liaise directly with the Reserve to ensure the recruitment campaigns are run locally. The problem is in getting numbers. Applications for the Reserve Defence Force will be open very soon.