Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I am advised by the military authorities that the strength of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve was 6,103 on 31 October 2010, the most recent date for which figures are available. This comprises 5,832 Army Reserve and 271 Naval Reserve. The number recruited to the Reserve Defence Force, RDF, from 1 January 2009 to 1 November 2010, the most recent date for which figures are available, was 900. In March 2009 all recruitment to the RDF was temporarily suspended in the context of the Government decision on the implementation of savings measures relating to public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009. Following a subsequent review and examination of RDF personnel numbers and budgets for 2009, limited recruitment resumed. This recruitment was to fill vacancies arising as a result of existing RDF members resigning or being discharged in the normal manner.

This limited recruitment was subject to the overall strength level that existed at 1 January 2009 - 7,671 - not being exceeded. It also included a proviso that recruitment would be monitored and kept under review in the light of the uptake of paid training within the RDF and the future budgetary provision. In 2009, the budget available for the reserve provided for 60,000 paid training man days. In 2010, further budgetary reductions reduced the provision to 31,000 paid training man days. The man-day allocation provides for annual paid training for existing members of the reserve and also provides for targeted developmental training such as career courses and skills courses. The training of new recruits inducted into the reserve must also be met from within the man-day allocation. The level of recruitment must be carefully balanced to ensure appropriate training and development opportunities for all members of the reserve.

The Department, in consultation with the military authorities, is currently considering the level of recruitment to the reserve that can be supported in 2011 and beyond, having regard to maintaining the existing capabilities of the reserve to the greatest extent possible. This must factor in the resources available for 2011 and the further budgetary reductions required under the Government's national recovery plan.

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