Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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323. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason several Reserve Defence Force members of 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment were posted as non-effective since 1 January 2017 despite having satisfied the criteria to remain effective, as laid down in Defence Forces regulation R5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2414/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The posting of individuals to the non effective list is a matter of devolved authority for military management in line with relevant Defence Force Regulations. In line with good management and having regard to the needs of the Reserve Defence Force, the military authorities keep the issue of effectiveness under review.

I am advised that such a review is ongoing. However, as of 1 January 2017 no Reserve Defence Force members of 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment have been posted as ‘non-effective’.

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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324. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of applications that have been received to join the Naval Service Reserve up to December 2016 in view of the fact an RDF recruitment competition was launched in September 2015; and the number of these applicants that have been attested into the Naval Service Reserve as of 1 January 2017. [2415/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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From the launch of the most recent campaign of recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) which commenced in September 2015, a total of 771 applications were made to join the Naval Service Reserve.

Of the total number of applications up to 31 December 2016, sixteen people have successfully progressed through all stages of the competition so far. It is planned that induction of those Reserve personnel will take place as part of the Recruit Class in April 2017. I am hopeful that these 16 will be joined by additional candidates who meet all the necessary criteria prior to commencement of training.

Recruitment to both the RDF and the PDF is ongoing. Recruitment to both is a matter in which I am actively engaged with Departmental officials and the military authorities and it continues to be one of my priorities.

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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325. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 27 September 2016, the number of RDF applicants that were awaiting security clearance as of that date; and the number of those applicants whose security clearance was fully processed as of 1 January 2017. [2416/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The data requested by the Deputy is not recorded in such manner which would allow it to be collated as requested.

For recruitment into the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) and Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) vetting and security clearance is conducted by the Defence Forces in conjunction with An Garda Siochana (AGS).