Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he anticipates the Reserve Defence Force achieving the overall establishment personnel number of 4,169; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43996/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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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 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.

Recruitment to the RDF remains is ongoing in 2017. A recruitment campaign to the Army Reserve and Naval Service began in July 2017. 1,221 applications to join the Reserve have been received of which 162 are female applicants. There have been 98 inductions to the Army and Naval Service Reserve so far this year (82 Army Reserve and 16 Naval Service Reserve).

The strength of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve (as of 31 August 2017) was as follows:

- Army Reserve: 1,789 effective personnel

- Naval Service Reserve: 127 effective personnel.

Given the competing recruitment demands at present, where PDF recruitment is and should remain a priority, recruitment to the Reserve is continuing. However, it is not possible at this point to indicate when the AR and the NSR establishment of 4,169 will realistically be achieved and I will keep this under review.

I would like to assure the Deputy that I remain committed to the ongoing development of the RDF within the framework set out in the White Paper on Defence.