Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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617. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for investment in the Reserve Defence Forces and for a recruitment plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20921/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government appreciates the service of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) and recognises its importance in contributing to Ireland's defence capability.  The 2015 White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF. The Government is committed to further developing the RDF.

At end June 2020, the strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) stands at 1,775 personnel. 114 new members were inducted into the AR and NSR during 2019. A recruitment campaign for the AR and NSR was opened in March 2020 and 44 new members have been inducted thus far in 2020. The ability to conduct RDF inductions has been impacted heavily by the Covid 19 crisis. It is anticipated that another recruitment campaign will be opened in autumn 2020.

Supports being provided to maximise recruitment to the Reserve include the use of social media and outreach activities by RDF members. PDF recruit exit interviews also now contain information on applying for membership of the RDF. 

The Programme for Government 2020 also contains a commitment to establish an Independent Commission on the Defence Forces. This will encompass the role and contribution of the RDF, including its legislation; the regulations governing the RDF, the development of the First Line Reserve (FLR) and whether specialists from the RDF should be able to serve overseas.