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

I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to raise this issue because it is a matter on which we agree. There was a perception among some in the reserve that it would be phased out. I certainly hope the White Paper has put that fear to bed. There is a strong role for reservists in Ireland. The policy now is that they train as one entity with the Defence Forces and we want to build the strength of the reserve and ensure we get quality people.

The White Paper on Defence sets out a development path for the Reserve Defence Force, RDF, which builds upon recent initiatives. It sets out clear roles for the RDF which are to augment the Permanent Defence Force in crisis situations and to contribute to State ceremonial events.

The focus for the Reserve Defence Force will be on achieving a level of capability that can quickly and safely allow for the provision of aid to the civil power, ATCP, supports, aid to the civil authority, ATCA, supports, and barrack duty and associated supports. This will ensure that the RDF has the flexibility to augment the Permanent Defence Force in the event of a broad range of crisis situations. The development of higher levels of capability such as for conventional military operations in defence of the State will require an appropriate extended training lead time.

As the Deputy is aware, the Army Reserve, AR, and the Naval Service Reserve, NSR, are currently significantly under strength. As at the end of August 2015 the effective strength of the Army Reserve was 2,175 and this represents 56% of the establishment. The current establishment for the four Naval Service Reserve units is 200 and this will be expanded to 300, an increase of 25 for each unit. The effective strength of the Naval Service Reserve as at the end of August 2015 was 144 personnel, representing 48% of the revised planned establishment. As outlined in the White Paper, Reserve Defence Force organisational structures will be kept under review but there are no plans for further changes or expansion.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

The immediate challenge for both the AR and NSR is to recruit and train sufficient personnel to meet the respective establishments. A major recruitment campaign last year did not achieve the desired effect with the process yielding only 152 inductees. Following a review of last year's campaign, a number of changes were introduced. The most recent returns indicate that there have been 300 inductees to date and this is a welcome improvement on the mid-year position, which I reported on last week. The military authorities estimate that there will also be a further 100 inductees by year end. The Defence Forces will continue to strive to improve the level of RDF recruitment in 2016.

While recruitment is an immediate challenge, the retention of members is also a key requirement in order to meet strength targets. The implementation of measures set out in the White Paper will provide opportunities for certain members of the reserve to undertake duties. I believe that this will be a key motivating factor in encouraging more people to join the reserve as well as making it more attractive for current members to stay.

I am confident that the measures set out in the White Paper will, in due course, lead to a more vibrant RDF which will deliver enhanced military capabilities for the benefit of the State.

See this speech in context