Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans regarding recruitment for the Reserve Defence Forces, having regard to the significant waiting lists of applicants that currently exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40568/11]

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 is dependent 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 been determined as yet. Officials from my Department are due to meet with 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.