Written answers

Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Reserve

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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15. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to enhance the numbers and roles undertaken by the Army Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15428/17]

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to strengthen the Reserve Defence Forces. [15490/17]

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the plans that have been brought forward by the Secretary General of his Department in conjunction with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces for the operation of a scheme of opportunities for paid service by members of the Reserve Defence Forces. [15411/17]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to expedite recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces. [15431/17]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 36, 44 and 50 together.

The White Paper on Defence confirms that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the Permanent Defence Force in times of crisis. In non-crisis situations, the main focus will be on training to prepare for this role. The White Paper on Defence also noted that members of the RDF continue to play an important role in contributing to state ceremonial events and that the Government values this contribution and decided that it should be assigned as a formal role for the Reserve.

My Government colleagues and I recognise the important role that the Reserve Defence Force has played in contributing to Ireland’s defence capability, and we recognise the voluntary service which has been the hallmark of the Reserve. The Government appreciates the service of the members of the Reserve and the White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve.

Under the current phase of implementation of White Paper actions, two relate specifically to the RDF i.e. attracting recruits from all backgrounds and conducting a skills survey with a view to establishing a Specialist Reserve. Over the course of the lifespan of the White Paper, other projects relating to the development of the Reserve will be examined and developed by the Defence Organisation. These include proposals to be brought forward for the operation of a scheme for opportunities for paid service by members of the Reserve. Recruitment to both the PDF and RDF remains a priority in 2017. Membership of the RDF is voluntary and unpaid and the quest for recruits must compete with the other organisations within the voluntary sector. These conditions along with the unique demands of military service make the issue of attracting recruits a challenging one. In the context of both finite resources and personnel, it is necessary to strike an appropriate balance in terms of PDF and RDF recruitment, so as to deliver the desired effects of maintaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to undertake all roles assigned to it by Government and to advance the single force structure.

It is anticipated the next RDF recruitment campaign will commence in the second half of 2017. Until then the RDF will continue to induct from the 2015/2016 panel. The Defence Forces are reviewing the 2015/2016 RDF competition and as part of this process are examining the competition model to be used in 2017. I am anxious to accelerate the rate of recruitment to the Reserve within means and resources.

With regard to funding, a budget of €2.15m from the Defence vote is allocated to the Reserve with €2.068m of that figure to support paid training of RDF members. Financial support to the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association (RDFRA) is also included in the budget provision.

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