Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Reserve Defence Forces, RDF, comprise the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. The Government recognises the important role that the three elements of the RDF play in contributing to Ireland's defence capability. The 2015 White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve Defence Forces and it is currently on a developmental path arising from the recommendations of the White Paper.

Under the current phase of implementation of White Paper actions, two White Paper projects have been identified which are important precursors to the establishment of a specialist Reserve. The specialist Reserve will seek to develop individual members of the Reserve, who by virtue of their professional civilian qualifications, have the competence to undertake specialist tasks. The Government has decided that a panel of such professionally qualified members of the Reserve, to be known as the specialist Reserve, should be established. A gap analysis of skill sets in the Permanent Defence Forces, PDF, will identify potential roles for Reserve members who possess specialist skills. Options to develop the First Line Reserve are also currently being examined.

Last July, the Chief of Staff assigned the responsibility of director of Reserve Defence Forces to the director of combat support and ISTAR. In this context, plans for 2019 provide guidance, across all units and formations with Reserve Defence Forces assets, in developing their capabilities. This is in line with the single force concept and the role of the Reserve as described in the White Paper for Defence. The focus will be to harness RDF skills and talent, maximising their development on the basis of mutual engagement with the PDF. Specific project areas will focus on training, regulation, recruitment, retention and promotions and will be supported through RDF and PDF reciprocal training, mentoring and education.

A key ongoing challenge for the Reserve Defence Forces is to recruit and retain personnel. I am aware that there continues to be a shortfall between the current strength figures and those of the establishment, which provides for 4,069 personnel and recruitment is ongoing. The Defence Forces will run two recruitment campaigns for the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve this year, one in March and a second in October. Supports being provided to maximise recruitment to the RDF include the use of social media and outreach activities by RDF members. PDF recruit exit interviews now contain information on applying for membership of the RDF.

Engagement will continue with the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association, RDFRA. My officials are scheduled to meet RDFRA in the coming weeks. I would like to assure the Deputy that I remain committed to the ongoing development of the RDF within the framework set out in the White Paper, having regard to resource availability. It is my intention to ensure that momentum on its development is maintained throughout 2019 and the coming years.

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