Written answers
Friday, 16 December 2016
Department of Defence
Defence Forces Reserve Strength
Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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565. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the figures for the strength of the Defence Forces Reserve with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40584/16]
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As of 31 October 2016, the latest date for which figures are available, the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force was 2,092, of which 281 are female personnel. Of the 2,092 personnel, 1,968 (258 females) are Army Reservists and 124 (23 females) are Naval Service Reservists. The following table sets out the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force as of 31 October 2016 broken down by rank and gender of both Army and Naval Service Reservists:
| RANK | ARMY RESERVISTS (overall numbers) | (Female Army Res. personnel) | NAVAL SERVICE RESERVISTS (overall numbers) | (Female NS Res. Personnel) | TOTAL RDF | Total Female RDF Personnel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lt.Colonel | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Comdt | 54 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 58 | 2 |
| Captain | 46 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 51 | 1 |
| Lieutenant | 193 | 30 | 8 | 1 | 201 | 31 |
| Sgt. Major | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| BQMS | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| CS | 49 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 57 | 0 |
| CQMS | 63 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 3 |
| Sergeant | 275 | 19 | 10 | 0 | 285 | 19 |
| Corporal | 372 | 69 | 22 | 4 | 394 | 73 |
| Privates | 903 | 134 | 66 | 18 | 969 | 152 |
| 1968 | 258 | 124 | 23 | 2092 | 281 |
For the sake of completeness , the following table sets out the current strength figures of the First Line Reserve, as of 31 October 2016, broken down by rank:
| FORMATION | OFFICER | NCO | PTE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARMY | 25 | 10 | 109 | 144 |
| AIR CORPS | 6 | 4 | 18 | 28 |
| NAVAL SERVICE | 22 | 4 | 50 | 76 |
| TOTAL | 53 | 18 | 177 | 248 |
The White Paper on Defence (2015) sets out an overall establishment figure of 4,169 for the RDF. Recruitment campaigns are conducted on an annual ongoing basis. The White Paper confirms that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the PDF in times of crisis and to participate in ceremonial events. The implementation of measures set out in the 2015 White Paper will provide opportunities for certain members of the RDF to undertake new duties. The intention is that this and other White Paper initiatives will be a motivating factor in encouraging more people to join the Reserve.
I believe that the Reserve Defence Force is an important asset to the State. I value the contribution ofall of its members who volunteer their time and service so willingly and I am fully committed to its ongoing and future development.
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