Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Defence the success of the regular and targeted recruitment campaigns in regard to recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces. [21982/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) has been satisfactory. In 2006 there were 1,124 recruits and in 2007 to date, there have been 847.

The RDF is going through a process of change with the implementation of the recommendations of the White Paper on Defence and the RDF Implementation Board Report. The Implementation Plan is being rolled-out on a phased basis up to 2009. There has been significant progress to date in implementing the detailed recommendations of the Plan e.g. a new organisation structure implemented with effect from October 2005, major improvements in clothing, equipment, training and resourcing. In addition, the RDF is now structured along similar lines to the PDF (3 Brigades and the RDF Training Centre). The integrated reserve is being piloted across the 3 Brigades this year.

Now that the new organization structures, training syllabus etc. are in place it is appropriate that more focus be placed on recruitment. I am pleased to be able to inform the House that I have approved a publicity and awareness campaign to promote recruitment to the RDF in line with the commitment in 'An Agreed Programme for Government'. This will commence early in 2008. Concurrent with the national campaign, units will conduct local campaigns in their own areas to capture the benefits of the national campaign. I am pleased that the Implementation Plan is progressing well. My Department will continue to monitor progress in the remaining period of the Plan.