Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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595. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his proposals to increase numbers in the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17316/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence (2015) set the overall establishment of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) at 4,169 personnel. Recruitment campaigns for the RDF are conducted on an annual ongoing basis. The current campaign started in September 2015, and has been paused on an administrative basis as the Defence Forces are administering the recruitment campaign for candidates to enter the Permanent Defence Force. I am advised that it is intended to recommence the campaign for Reservists in the coming months. The Defence Forces have received 2,733 applications to date in this competition which is encouraging .

The 2015 White Paper on Defence confirms that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the Permanent Defence Force in times of crisis and to participate in ceremonial events. The implementation of measures set out in the White Paper 2015 will provide opportunities for certain members of the RDF to undertake new duties. I am of the view that this, and other initiatives outlined in the White Paper will be a key motivating factor in encouraging more people to join the RDF as well as making it more attractive for current members to stay.