Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Defence when he intends opening up recruitment to the Defence Forces Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40283/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The number of personnel that can be recruited to the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve depends on the level of funding available for training. The level of resourcing available for Defence has reduced significantly over recent years. The funds available for paid training days for members of the Reserve have been cut from €4.96 million in 2009 to €2.48 million in 2011. This provided for approximately 30,000 paid training man-days in 2011. These paid training days provided targeted development training for existing members of the Reserve including career courses and skills courses. In addition, it was possible to provide for the training of 200 new recruits to the RDF. This level of recruitment was agreed in consultation with the Military Authorities, having regard to the requirement to maintain the existing capabilities of the Reserve to the greatest extent possible. The number of personnel that may be recruited in the coming year or future years has not yet been determined. Officials from my Department are due to meet the Acting Director of Reserve Forces in the coming week to discuss the training priorities within the Reserve over the coming year and to determine the level of recruitment that can be accommodated within the available resource envelope.