Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of recruits who have enlisted in the Reserve Defence Force, the Army Reserve, since its reorganisation on 1 October 2005; the number of reservists who have resigned or left the Reserve Defence Force; the number of reserve officers who have resigned their commission since reorganisation; if the strength of the Army Reserve meets the establishment strength; his proposals to deal with the shortage of manpower in the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36363/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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A detailed breakdown of the number of recruits enlisted in the Reserve Defence Force and the number discharged since the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force on 1 October 2005 are in the form of Tabular Statements.

A total of 26 Reserve officers resigned their commissions from 1 October, 2005 to date.

The Reserve Defence Force Review implementation plan set out proposed establishment strengths for the Reserve Defence Force. The Non-Integrated element of the Reserve was to be comprised of 9,692 personnel (9,292 Army Reserve and 400 Naval Service Reserve) and accordingly new organisational structures which give effect to this establishment, were introduced in October, 2005.

The integrated element of the Army Reserve has a planned establishment of 2,656. As provided for in the plan a pilot integration programme was launched in 2007 and continued in 2008. The military authorities are currently reviewing the pilot programme and will bring forward proposals for the future development of the Integrated Reserve for my consideration.

The strength of the Reserve on 31 August, 2008 was 7,856. The reduction in personnel numbers is partly due to the removal of non-effective personnel from Reserve Unit's strength. A planned recruitment and awareness campaign has been postponed in light of current budgetary constraints. This important project will be re-visited when the budgetary situation permits.