Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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211. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 12 June 2025, the number of Reserve Defence Force applications received each year from 2020 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and the actions currently being taken to support recruitment to the reserve. [44574/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The military authorities have provided the detail in following table outlining the number of Reserve Defence Force (Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve) applications received, by year, from 2020 to 2025 (*as at 1 August 2025):

The strength of the RDF is a key focus for the Office of Reserve Affairs and one of the 4 operational objectives of the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan is maintaining a robust and dynamic induction process.

In addition to the increase in upper recruitment and mandatory retirement ages, implementation of a ‘managed Induction Process’ and the on boarding process which enables candidates to undergo pre-attestation recruit training, that were detailed in the response to Parliamentary Question No 58 of 12 June 2025, other recruitment initiatives to support that objective include:

1. Establishment of a Reserve Strategic Engagement Team (ReSET) comprised of Reservists with skills and experience in marketing, communications and event management, to develop initiatives to enhance awareness of the RDF and support RDF recruitment.
2. Establishment by Reserve Units of Local Engagement Teams (LETs) to attend events and promote the RDF within their catchment areas.
3. Attendance at local and national careers events by RDF members.
4. Tender submissions in respect of a media campaign, including television, radio and social media adverts for the RDF, are currently being evaluated.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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212. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the RTSD allocation was exhausted before the end of 2024; the number of reservists were left unpaid as a result; the steps that were taken to mitigate hardship; and the measures that are being introduced to prevent this from recurring in 2025. [45106/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The increased interest in the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) was reflected in the number of Reserve Training and Support Days (RTSDs) undertaken in 2024 which totalled 28,762 days, an excess of 2,762 days over the original allocation of 26,000 days.

The original 2024 budget allocation for the RDF was proactively increased in Q4 2024 to meet evolving levels of RDF activity, with a further increase requested and acceded to in the latter part of the year. It was confirmed that all amounts due by the 29 November 2024 – the payroll deadline for receipt of applications for payment in 2024 – would be paid within the 2024 calendar year. Therefore, approved RTSD applications received by payroll on/before that date, in respect of duties completed by that date, were paid in 2024. This is normal practice at year end.

A total of 23 reservists submitted RTSD applications on/before the 29 November 2024, which related to duties due to be undertaken post 29 November and these, with the exception of 2 reservists who were not due monies, due to previous overpayments, were paid in the next available payroll on 3 January 2024.

My officials and the Defence Forces Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) continue to monitor the 2025 RDF budget, to ensure adequate provision is in place.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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213. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the 21 consecutive day PRSI threshold and its impact on the operational reality of the modern RDF; and if his Department undertake a review to assess whether this interpretation is compliant with the intent of social insurance law and examine its potential exposure to retrospective employer PRSI and pension liabilities. [45107/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Social Protection has responsibility for the ruling in relation to PRSI. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment in any detail in relation to this matter.

The Reserve Defence Forces members continue to engage in activities in support of Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) on a voluntary basis, when it is in the best interests of the PDF to do so.

The ultimate goal of the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan, published in July 2024, is developing a Reserve Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy on a voluntary basis with the Permanent Defence Force, both nationally and overseas.