Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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212. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of new recruits that joined the Reserve Defence Forces, RDF, in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; when the last non-commissioned officer training course was held in the RDF; when the last officer training course was held in the RDF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44172/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The following table sets out the number of new recruits to the Reserve Defence Force in each of the years 2014 to 2016, and to date in 2017.

I am informed by the military authorities that the Defence Forces Training Management System records indicate that an RDF Potential NCOs course was completed in October 2016. There is an RDF Potential NCOs course ongoing, and it is scheduled for completion in September 2018. The last RDF Potential Officer course was completed in July 2012.

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 Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) establishment of 4,169 will realistically be achieved and I will keep this under review.

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