Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
106. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline, in tabular form, the numbers of RDF recruited and discharged from both the Army Reserve and the Naval Reserve, since 1 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29273/23]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the First Line Reserve (FLR), the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR). The Government remains absolutely committed to the advancement of the RDF and, in 2022, a recruitment drive was advertised across a number of media channels. Recruit Liaison Officers across the Reserve conducted local recruitment to attract applicants for this campaign.
In 2022, to the end of year, 90 RDF recruits were inducted into the Defence Forces and the processing of eligible applicants is continuing with 10 further recruits being inducted so far this year as of 12 June 2023. All of these recruits have been in the Army Reserve.
|
RDF Induction Figures |
Army |
Naval Service |
|
01/01/2022-31/12/2022 |
90 |
0 |
|
01/01/2023-12/06/2023 |
10 |
0 |
|
Total |
100 |
0 |
Regarding the number of discharges in 2022, a total of 62 members of personnel discharged from the Army Reserve while 20 discharged from the Naval Service Reserve. As of 12 June 2023, a further 41 have discharged from the Army Reserve so far this year while 4 have discharged from the Naval Service Reserve.
|
RDF Discharge Figures |
Army |
Naval Service |
|
01/01/2022-31/12/2022 |
62 |
20 |
|
01/01/2023 - 12/06/2023 |
41 |
4 |
|
Total |
103 |
24 |
The strength of the RDF stands as follows for May 2023: 1,351 members in the Army Reserve, 79 in the Naval Service Reserve (total of 1,430 between AR and NSR) and 276 members of the First Line Reserve.
The structure and strength of the RDF is a key focus of the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) which was established recently in line with a recommendation from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report (CODF). The ORA’s initial focus is on the development of a Regeneration Plan for the revitalisation of the Reserve, which is in train.
In terms of the strength and structure of the RDF, one of the recommendations from the Report is to increase the future RDF establishment strength to include at a minimum, an Air Force Reserve of 200, and a Navy Reserve of 400.
I would like to assure the Deputy that it is my aim, and that of the Chief of Staff, to ensure that the regeneration of the RDF remains a key goal in 2023 and beyond.
