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

The immediate challenge for both the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve 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 have been 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. Progress is being made but it is slow and not as fast as I would wish. I want to send a clear signal that I want more people in the reserve. I want them to apply but they must be the right kind of people in terms of being fit for the job, both physically and mentally. We cannot allow everybody in. This is a serious commitment. It is one that many people will enjoy and get much from. I invite people to apply during the recruitment campaign that is under way. It will take time to build up the reserve but we will do it and are fully committed to it.

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