Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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16. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total capital and current expenditure allocated to the Reserve Defence Forces in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the proportion this represents of the overall defence budget in each year; whether she considers this allocation adequate given the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17548/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Reserve Defence Force (RDF) funding is provided on Subhead A.5 of the Defence Vote. This allocation provides current expenditure funding for paid training and miscellaneous allowances for the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve. It also provides for the payment of gratuities to members of the Fist Line Reserve.

Expenditure allocated to this subhead for the years 2019 to 2025, together with the proportion of the overall Defence Vote that these allocations represent, is set out in the table below.

In addition, the RDF also benefits from the increasing levels of capital investment now evident on Defence Equipment, Infrastructural, Transport & IT capabilities.

Reserve Defence Force Allocation 2019-2025

My key priority is the modernisation of our Defence Forces, and revitalising our Reserve Defence Force is a vital part of that transformation process. In that context, the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) Regeneration Plan published in July 2024, contains 27 actions across four objectives, namely: Recruit & Retain; Resource; Train & Educate and Integrate & Deploy.

The regeneration plan was developed in line with the recommendations in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. One of the 4 operational objectives is to improve the induction process with the aim of achieving an effective strength of 80% by 2028.

Recruitment increased substantially in 2024 and continues to gain momentum with approx. 300 applicants in pre-induction training at the end of 2025. This growth will be reflected in the 2026 strength figures. Implementation of the regeneration plan is being monitored to address any blockages arising and to ensure progress across the 27 actions.

Other areas of work underway in the Reserve Defence Force sphere include:

• A new RDF Recruitment system, which will result in a more streamlined and user-friendly process for applicants.
• A significant RDF advertising awareness campaign is in the final stages of development. This will be coordinated across all media modes including television and radio adverts, to raise the public’s awareness of the opportunities available in the RDF.
• A substantial expansion of the RDF budget in support of the enhanced role of the RDF. To illustrate this, the budget allocation in 2025 was €3.542m and I have further increased it to €4.535m for 2026 – an increase of almost €1 million (28%).
• To ensure the framework for the Reserve is fit for purpose a review of the current legal and policy framework governing the RDF is underway. The second part of this review will focus on options for employment protection legislation.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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17. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Forces broken down by Naval Service Reserve, Army Reserve, and Air Corps Reserve; the number of vacancies in each branch; the average waiting time for a reservist to complete initial training; the number of reservists who have resigned in each of the past five years citing training backlogs or equipment shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17549/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve and the Second Line Reserve, which encompasses the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).

The Military authorities have advised that as of 31 January 2026,the strength of First Line Reserve (FLR) stood at 204 personnel. The breakdown is set out in the below table:

Furthermore, the Military Authorities have advised that the Second line Reserve (SLR) stood at 1,607 personnel, as set out in the table below:

In terms of training, the Joint Induction Training Syllabus was introduced in 2024. This is the foundational training syllabus for Army and Naval Service Reservists. The training is delivered across midweek training evenings, weekend training days and a two-week full-time training period. The syllabus takes 9-12 months to deliver on completion of which the Reservist is qualified as a 2 Star Army Private or an Ordinary rating in the Naval Service Reserve.

Table C below provides breakdown of Resignations/Discharges from 2021 - 2025:

Personal kit and equipment is issued as required and commensurate with the training being undertaken. The ORA are not aware of any deficiencies specifically relating to the RDF in the regard.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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18. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence whether ring-fenced capital funding exists for the Reserve Defence Forces; if not, the reason therefor; whether reservists are currently required to personally purchase any items of equipment or uniform that should be provided by the State; the estimated total value of equipment shortfalls currently experienced by the Reserve Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17550/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) budget is allocated under Sub-head A5 which provides for RDF pay and allowances. The allocation for 2026 is €4.35 million. There is no ring-fenced or dedicated capital budget allocation for the RDF. As such, the relevant Subheads across respective functional areas are resourced to provide for both PDF and RDF requirements.

The Military authorities have advised that members of the RDF are not required to purchase any uniform, kit or equipment at their own expense. RDF personnel are provided with all of the necessary uniforms, kit and equipment for the training they are undertaking.

The Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) is not aware of any equipment shortfalls specifically pertaining to the RDF.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current status of the Reserve Defence Forces Regeneration and Development Plan; the specific targets within that plan that have been met, partially met, or missed to date; whether the plan contains ring-fenced funding commitments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17551/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It has not been possible to provide a response within the time frame available. I will respond to the Deputy when the information requested is to hand.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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20. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the ratio of Reserve Defence Forces personnel to Permanent Defence Force personnel as of the most recent available date; how this compares to comparable EU member states; what target ratio the Department considers appropriate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17552/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government acknowledges the importance of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) as a voluntary organisation and as an key asset for the State. The last two years have witnessed a resurgence in the RDF.

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as of 31 January 2026 stood at 7,767 personnel. At 31 January 2026, the Reserve Defence Force First line Reserve (FLR) stood at 204 personnel and 1,607 Second Line Reserve (SLR) personnel which is comprised of 1,473 Army Reserve (AR) and 134 Naval Service Reserve (NSR) personnel. Therefore the the current ratio of PDF personnel to RDF personnel is 4.3:1.

I am advised that the Defence Forces do not hold data on ratios pertaining to full-time to reserve personnel in other EU militaries.

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) Regeneration Plan published in July 2024, contains 27 actions across four objectives, namely: Recruit & Retain; Resource; Train & Educate and Integrate & Deploy.

Implementation of the regeneration plan is being monitored to address any blockages arising and to ensure progress across the 27 actions. One of the 4 operational objectives is to improve the induction process with the aim of achieving an effective strength of 80% by 2028. Recruitment increased substantially in 2024 and continues to gain momentum with approx. 300 applicants in pre-induction training at the end of 2025. This growth will be reflected in the 2026 strength figures.

Other areas of work underway in the Reserve Defence Force sphere include:

• A new RDF Recruitment system, which will result in a more streamlined and user-friendly process for applicants;
• A significant RDF advertising awareness campaign is in the final stages of development. This will be coordinated across all media modes including television and radio adverts, to raise the public’s awareness of the opportunities available in the RDF;
• A substantial expansion of the RDF budget which continues to increase in pace with the enhanced role of the RDF. To illustrate this, the budget allocation in 2025 was €3.542m and I have further increased it to €4.535m for 2026.
• To ensure the framework for the Reserve is fit for purpose a review of the current legal and policy framework governing the RDF is underway. The second part of this review will focus on options for employment protection legislation.