Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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105. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Naval Service Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47129/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve, the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).  The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the RDF and confirms that its primary role is to augment the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) in crisis situations.

The current strength of the Reserve Defence Force, as of 31 August 2021, is 1,514. The strength of the First Line Reserve at that date is 262 personnel and as of the same date, the Naval Service Reserve has a strength of 125.

While the Government remains committed to restoring the strength of the RDF, given the competing recruitment demands at present, PDF recruitment is, and will remain a priority.  However, RDF recruitment will also be progressed to the greatest extent possible.

The Military Authorities have further advised that a revised Defence Forces framework for living with COVID -19 is now in place, based on the recent easing of Government restrictions.This revised framework, I understand, affords more scope for RDF Training within the parameters of Government guidelines, and is facilitating the commencement of the RDF Induction Process with planned induction training to commence shortly. This of course, will be subject to continued guidance from Government on easing of restrictions.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government appreciates the service of the Reserve Defence Force and recognises its important contribution to Ireland's defence capability.