Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
282. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of the Reserve Defence Force Regeneration and Development Plan as it relates to the Naval Service Reserve; the current status of Action 22; any decisions made on the future structure, geographic footprint, and establishment strength of the Naval Service Reserve; the timeline for full implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3810/26]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) Regeneration and Development Plan coordinates 27 individual actions that continue to drive forward recruitment and retention; resourcing; training and education; as well as integration and deployment. All 27 actions are progressing and as such are contributing to the wider transformation of the Defence Forces, not just the RDF. Out of the 27 actions, 25 specifically or generally relate to the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).
The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended that the Naval Service Reserve establishment should be increased to a minimum of 400 personnel and increase their geographical footprint to establish units in the northwest and northeast. This recommendation was captured in the Detailed Implementation Plan and further captured in the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan under Action 22.
Military authorities have advised that the Navy Development Office, supported by the Office of Reserve Affairs, has developed an establishment, organisation and structure in line with the recommendations of the CoDF and the future force design of the Navy and Defence Forces as a whole. The proposed force design is currently undergoing testing in the joint operating environment.
The initiatives contained in the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan are generating positive change and increased momentum towards a regenerated, trained and capable RDF to support the Permanent Defence Forces and the work in 2026 will build on that success.
