Written answers
Thursday, 12 July 2018
Department of Defence
Defence Forces Reserve Strength
Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the most up to date figures for the strength of the Reserve Defence Force, with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31959/18]
Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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55. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits the Reserve Defence Force has taken on to date in 2018, with regard to all services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31961/18]
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 55 together.
As of 31 May 2018 (the latest date for which figures are available), the strength of the First Line Reserve was as follows:
| Female Personnel | Total Personnel | |
|---|---|---|
| First Line Reserve (FLR) | 25 | 273 |
There is no establishment figure for the FLR.
As of 31 May 2018 (the latest date for which figures are available), the effective strength of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve was as follows:
| Service | Female Personnel | Total Personnel |
|---|---|---|
| Army Reserve (AR) | 231 | 1,663 |
| Naval Service Reserve (NSR) | 17 | 115 |
I am aware that there is a difference between these figures and the establishment for the AR and NSR which provides for 4,069 personnel. To address this difference, I directed the military authorities to maximise recruitment to the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve, having regard to training demands arising from significant ongoing recruitment to the PDF. This has resulted in 139 personnel (10 females) being inducted in 2017 and in 2018, as of 5th July, a further 76 personnel (8 females) were inducted.
A total of 1,364 applications, of which 12% (164) were from females, were received for the recent RDF General Service Recruitment campaign. Applications for this recruitment campaign, which ran between 23 April and 4 June 2018, are currently being processed.
I can assure the Deputy that I remain committed to the on-going development of the RDF within the framework set out in the White Paper on Defence.
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