Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members recruited to the Reserve Defence Forces throughout 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9768/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Military authorities have informed me that 1,037 members were recruited to the Reserve Defence Force in 2008. 25 have been recruited to date in 2009.

The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan outlined a range of measures to improve the capabilities of the Reserve over the period to end 2009. All of the elements of the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation plan were identified as being important motivators for recruitment and retention of members of the Reserve and significant progress has been made to date in implementing the plan provisions.

The Government decision of 8 July 2008 set out a requirement for savings to be achieved across the public sector. In this context, the recruitment and awareness campaign planned for 2008 for the Reserve Defence Force was postponed. There are no plans to initiate a central recruitment and awareness campaign in the current year. The situation regarding recruitment is being kept under ongoing review in the light of the prevailing budgetary situation.