Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am determined to ensure that the Reserve Defence Force does not go into decline, but my number one priority must be recruitment to the PDF and getting its strength back up to 9,500 personnel. As I stated in my reply, the Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve began their recruitment campaign in July 2017 and attracted 1,221 applications, and 128 personnel have been inducted so far in 2017. I have asked for the reasons for the shortfall between the figures I have outlined and whether ensuring the medical and fitness tests take place on weekends has an effect. Most of these people are in full-time employment and are given the opportunity to sit their medical and fitness tests on weekends. A huge number of these people do not turn up on the date fixed for them. They have been given every opportunity. I have asked the Chief of Staff and the general staff to ensure applicants are given every opportunity to sit their fitness test and so on on weekends. I met representatives of the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association, RDFRA, a number of weeks ago. One of the areas we discussed was recruitment, and I have put both civil and military-----

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