David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Defence the legal mechanism available to him to deploy members of the Reserve Defence Forces in aid to the civil power or in any other capacity; the most recent time that any such deployment of the Reserve Defence Forces took place in any such capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41430/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Acts 1954 – 2007 provide for the calling out of reservists on "Permanent Service" or in "Aid to the Civil Power". The RDF has not been called out in either capacity in the recent past. Whilst, the Defence Acts 1954 – 2007 provide for contingents of the PDF serving on overseas peace support missions, there is no provision in the Act for the deployment of the Reserve Defence Force on peace support missions overseas. The Department had been in the process of making Regulatory provision to allow suitably qualified members of the RDF serve in the PDF for the express purpose of this overseas service. However, plans to send members of the Reserve overseas were subsequently suspended and there are no plans to do so for the foreseeable future.

Defence Forces Regulation R5 provides for members of the RDF, with their own consent, being employed on duties in 'Aid to the Civil Authority" (ATCA) with the approval of the General Officer Commanding a Brigade or the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service, at such times and at such places as the Officer Commanding the Brigade RDF or Officer Commanding Shore Operations Naval Service may determine. The most recent time that Reservists took part in an ATCA type operation was in a search for a missing boy around Midleton, Co. Cork in January 2005, when 86 members of the 34 Reserve Infantry Battalion assisted.

In recent times, the Defence Forces have met operational requirements from within the capacity and resources of the Permanent Defence Force without the need to call up the Reserve Defence Force. Consequently the primary focus of the Reserve has been on training and preparation. In addition, members of the Reserve participate in major ceremonial events and provide a range of community supports at local level.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to ensure that the quality and standard of training of the Reserve Defence Forces is of a high level; the way that such training is evaluated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41431/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The primary role of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in peacetime is to train for contingency tasks. Training is delivered at unit level, at affiliated unit level, at Brigade Training Centre level and at the Defence Forces Training Centre. The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan has provided the framework for the development of the Reserve over recent years. The Plan outlined a series of steps that were designed to significantly enhance the quality of training within the Reserve Defence Force. A revised training strategy supported by new syllabi and which includes training delivery through distance learning and the affiliation of RDF units with Permanent Defence Force (PDF) units is in place. An individual training logbook is issued to all trainees to record progress in acquiring skills.

Instructors, both PDF and RDF, are suitably qualified in accordance with the formal syllabi of training. This procedure is in place to ensure uniformity in the standard of training throughout the formations.

The Reserve Defence Forces Training Authority (RDFTA) oversees the implementation of training across all RDF Formations and coordinates the delivery of training by the constituent colleges and schools of the Defence Forces Training Centre.

In order to ensure that RDF training is delivered to the required quality and standard, as set out in the training syllabi, the RDFTA reviews the syllabi and conducts evaluation and assessments of RDF training including:

Tests of Elementary Training (TOETs), Tests of Elementary Mortar Drills (TOEMDs), Annual Personal Weapons Tests (APWTs) etc.

Assessment of RDF Tactical training which takes place in the Glen of Imaal at the end of each training year

Yearly Record based Unit Assessment Inspections, carried out by Staff of Directorate of Reserve Force on selected RDF units.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 October 2010, the current situation regarding recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces in each brigade area [41720/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of applications for recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces per unit per month respectively from September 2009 to date in 2010; the number that have been accepted for recruitment and signed on; the number awaiting decision; the number of applications which were not accepted, the reason for this non acceptance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41721/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 October 2010, the reason the overall strength level of 7671 of the Reserve Defence Forces that existed on 1 January 2009 has been allowed to fall to 6075 on 30 September 2010; if it is Government policy to allow numbers to fall below this maximum strength; if recruitment is being carried out on a restricted basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41722/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 437 to 439, inclusive, together.

In the context of the Government decision on the implementation of savings measures on public service numbers and the reduced budgetary provision available for 2009, all recruitment to the RDF was suspended in March 2009. Following a subsequent review and examination of RDF personnel numbers and budgets for 2009, limited recruitment to fill vacancies arising due to existing Reserve members resigning, or being discharged in the normal manner resumed.

This limited recruitment is continuing subject to the overall strength level that existed at 1 January 2009 (7,671) not being exceeded. The limited recruitment will also be monitored and kept under review in the light of the uptake of paid training within the RDF and the future budgetary provision available to the Department.

I am aware that numbers in the Reserve have declined over recent years. This trend in reduced volunteerism is not confined to the Reserve but is indicative of broader societal trends. It should also be noted that a more rigorous approach is now taken to removing the names of non-effective personnel from unit rolls. This accounts for part of the fall in numbers over recent years.

There is now a requirement to examine the progress that has been made and to chart the future direction of the Reserve. Work has commenced on a Value for Money Review of the Reserve which is being overseen by a Steering Committee comprising representatives from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department of Finance. The Steering Group are working towards a target date for completion of end March 2011. The findings of this Review will help inform the future plans for the Reserve.

The detailed information requested by the Deputy regarding the recruitment situation since September 2009 to date is not readily available and is being compiled at present. This information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 27 October 2010, the number of Reserve Defence Forces personnel who had completed annual training of 7 or 14 days respectively on 30 September 2010; the number of RDF training days unused at this date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41723/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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A breakdown of the information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.