Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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11. To ask the Minister for Defence if he has considered legislative employment protections of members of the Reserve Defence Force, in order to allows a clear framework through which a reservist could be protected from employment termination due to the demands of carrying out their national duties; his views on the nature of poor retention rates of reservists compared to other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1209/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force was published in November 2012 arising from which a major re-organisation was implemented in 2013. The Reserve is now organised alongside the Permanent Defence Force, within a more efficient single force structure. There have been no recommendations relating to the introduction of employment protection legislation for members of the Reserve Defence Force and I can see no basis for such a recommendation. The minimum training requirements Reservists must meet have been in place for many years and there has been no increase in the level of training arising from the implementation of the reorganisation and the introduction of the single force structure.

Ensuring an appropriate balance between voluntary activities and work and home life is a key challenge that is common to individuals involved in many voluntary organisations throughout the State. I am aware that some members of the Reserve have expressed concerns that proposed attendance requirements, including attendance at medical exams and fitness tests, would require them to take excessive time off work. They see employment protection legislation as a way to facilitate this attendance. I believe that such attendance requirements reflect a reasonable level of commitment that is achievable for the vast majority of Reservists. However, any concerns about attendance targets will be considered as part of the process in arranging attendance requirements.

With regard to the issue of retention rates, the Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force identified significant issues relating to the turnover of Reservists. Poor retention rates were found to cause inherent inefficiency in the Reserve training system.

I am informed that whilst a degree of caution must be taken when making comparisons with the armed forces in other jurisdictions owing to wide variances between countries in terms of standards, roles and taskings, poor retention rates are not unique to Ireland. Other countries struggle with retention of Reserve personnel in their Defence Forces and face similar challenges with recruitment, retention and the training of Reservists to appropriate standards.