Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
222. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to confirm if a critical review of the RDF regeneration and development plan is scheduled at any point, to assess the plan’s effectiveness and implementation; and if any actions listed therein require review. [31403/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the progress of his Department in increasing the future Reserve Defence Forces establishment strength as per a Commission on the Defence Forces Report. [31701/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the initiatives currently being implemented by his Department to enable the Reserve Defence Forces to deliver enhanced military capabilities when required to support the Permanent Defence Forces. [31702/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 222, 226 and 227 together.
The Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) recommended an increase in the establishment of the Army Reserve to 3,900, an increase of the Naval Service Reserve establishment to a minimum of 400 personnel, and the establishment of an Air Force Reserve of a minimum of 200 personnel . These recommendations are being considered in the context the wider transformation of the Defence Forces and the development of the Air Corps and Naval Service.
One of the priorities of the Defence Forces Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) was the development of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) Regeneration and Development Plan, which was published in July 2024. This Plan has 27 actions that are designed to fully enable the RDF to deliver enhanced military capabilities by driving forward recruitment and retention; resourcing; training and education; as well as integration and deployment. Each of the 27 actions contribute to the ultimate goal of developing a Reserve Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy on a voluntary basis with the Permanent Defence Force, both nationally and overseas.
The the Regeneration and Development Plan is kept under constant review by ORA who monitor the progress of all actions and conduct a regular risk assessments ensure the intended progress is maintained.
One of the 4 operational objectives of this Plan is maintaining a robust and dynamic induction process with the aim of achieving an effective strength of 80% by 2028. To that end, the Defence Forces have prioritised RDF recruitment, and there have been positive gains in this respect with 268 members being inducted in 2024, an increase in excess of 300% over the 65 members inducted in 2023.
