Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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597. To ask the Minister for Defence the date on which the military authorities will know the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7967/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the military authorities that work is continuing on the implementation of the reorganisation and the development of the single force concept and in this context a review of the number of active members of the RDF is currently being compiled. In this regard I understand that the military authorities expect to be in a position to report an accurate effective strength for the Reserve with effect from 1 April 2014. I will provide this information directly to the Deputy once it comes to hand.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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598. To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 22 January 2014, if the military authorities have or will consult with Reserve Defence Force officers before the criteria for participation is finalised; the date set by the military authorities for the finalisation and implementation of the recruitment plan referred to in that reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7968/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the military authorities that all available Reserve Defence Force unit sub commanders attended seminars in the Defence Forces Training College in June and September of last year. These seminars were chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff (support) and the Acting Chief of Staff respectively. During these seminars detailed discussions took place in relation to all aspects of the Reserve Defence Force re-organisation and the development of the single force concept, including future recruitment.

It is my intention that targeted recruitment will take place in 2014 to both the Permanent and Reserve Defence Force within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. Work on developing a recruitment plan for the Reserve Defence Force is currently being finalised and I expect that the actual process of recruitment to the Reserve will commence shortly.