Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Reserve Defence Force, RDF, comprises the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. The establishment of RDF is 4,069. This comprises 3,869 for the Army Reserve and 200 for the Naval Service Reserve. The strength of the RDF as of 31 August 2023 stood at 1,319 members in the Army Reserve; 81 members in the Naval Service Reserve; and 280 members of the First Line Reserve.

In 2022, a recruitment drive was advertised across a number of media channels. Recruit liaison officers across the Reserve conducted local recruitment to attract applicants for this campaign. Military authorities advised that 1,347 applications were received. I understand that a number of those applications remain active with inductions continuing.

In 2022, 90 RDF recruits were inducted into Army Reserve. A further 20 have been inducted so far this year, with 19 going into the Army Reserve and one into the Naval Reserve. While the low number of inductees to date leaves significant room for improvement, there is a concerted effort to deal with the remaining active applications. I have met the Chief of Staff and military management in respect of this, particularly with a view to removing hurdles and obstacles to recruiting people to the RDF. I was not happy with some of the procedures that were in place in previous years. The RDF recruitment campaign will recommence this month and will run for an initial period of two months.

The structure and strength of the RDF is a key focus of the Office of Reserve Affairs, ORA, which was established recently in line with a recommendation from the Commission on the Defence Forces report. That was a recommendation and it is has been implemented. The military authorities have advised that the immediate focus of the new office is on the development of a regeneration plan. They are also directing their attention to address any hurdles that limit the enlistment process in the Reserve, including examining upper recruitment and mandatory retirement ages.

On foot of the enactment of the Defence (Amendment) Act, enabling members of the Reserve to deploy on a voluntary basis, in support of the Permanent Defence Force, including deployments overseas, my officials commenced engagement with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the issue of employment protection measures for those RDF members so deployed.

Engagements on an informal basis have also taken place with representatives from ICTU and IBEC where useful exchanges of information have taken place. On foot of these engagements a number of potential courses of action remain under consideration.

It would be premature at this point to comment further given the ongoing work on this matter. I am pleased to note that for the first time, a member of the RDF has been deployed overseas on a voluntary basis in support of the Permanent Defence Force. I would like to assure the Deputy that it is my aim to ensure that the RDF and its regeneration remains a key goal of 2023 and beyond.

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