Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As of the 31 March 2024 the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,510 personnel. This was comprised of 6,087 Army, 701 Air Corps and 722 Naval Service personnel. The agreed overall establishment strength was recently increased by 100 to 9,600 to account for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) appointments.

Changes have been introduced by this Government to make the Defence Forces an attractive option as a career choice to both existing and potential members and I continue to work with the Defence Forces to enhance recruitment and retention. Underpinning this work is the provision, contained in the €1.23 billion allocated for the Defence Sector in Budget 2024, for the recruitment and training of a net additional 400 personnel in 2024.

Recruitment continues with ongoing general service and direct entry recruitment in addition to the re-entry schemes. The 2024 Military Aircraft Technician traineeship is open for applications while the 2024 Army and Air Corp cadetship competitions have closed recently with the Naval Service competition due to close shortly. Furthermore, two new recruitment streams, an Air Traffic Control Cadetship and a Direct Entry Officer role are being progressed

A number of measures have also been introduced with a view to increasing the recruitment pool, such as the increase in the maximum recruitment age to 39 for those roles that had a recruitment age below that, and the increase to 50 years of age for Direct Entry Officer specialists. The establishment of the Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston has increased the training capacity for recruits and when fully operational will further increase this capacity.

In addition to current recruitment initiatives, a number of financial and non-financial retention initiatives are currently being implemented such an increase in the mandatory retirement age, a new Naval Service Patrol Duty allowance, and the extension of the provision of private secondary healthcare to all members of the PDF, in addition to significant progress on pay

These are examples of the considerable efforts that are being made to address recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces, and efforts continue in this regard.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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26. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on recent recruitment for the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21967/24]

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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46. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence how he intends to increase the strength of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22156/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 46 together.

The Government remains committed to bolstering the numbers in the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). One such recent measure in support of this commitment has been the increase in upper recruitment and mandatory retirement ages for the RDF to match comparable increases for the Permanent Defence Force, which were brought into effect in March.

The structure and strength of the RDF is a key focus of the Defence Forces Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) which was established in line with a recommendation from the Commission on the Defence Forces Report (CoDF). The Director of ORA, who holds the rank of Colonel, advises that their immediate focus is on the development of a Regeneration Plan, in addition to focusing on general recruitment into the RDF.

Since the launch of the most recent RDF recruitment last October, which remains open, there are currently 667 live RDF applications proceeding through the system, with over 401 interviews concluded; 368 fitness tests and 201 part 1 medicals completed; 139 follow-on part 2 medicals completed; and 64 applicants already attested this year.

Given the voluntary nature of RDF service and the fact that applicants have other competing responsibilities, there will, on occasion, be challenges in terms of availability of candidates when the slot for their medical is available and vice versa.

A number of measures have been taken, however, to improve the administration of medicals. For example, work has been completed on streamlining the two-stage medical process which has included the adoption of a ‘self-declaration’ process which facilitates the conduct of fitness testing without the need for a medical in advance. Also there has been the introduction of a pre-induction training course which allows applicants engaged in the induction process, to commence elements of the recruit training syllabus while they advance to attestation. This is an important development in terms of maintaining the interest level of candidates as they progress through the assessment process.

The induction of personnel has additionally been facilitated through the implementation of the Managed Induction Process whereby each applicant is assigned a Recruitment Liaison Officer (RLO) who maintains contact with them throughout the induction process. The aim of this close liaison is to facilitate an expeditious and efficient recruitment process from application to attestation. 41 RDF units are currently open for applications from potential recruits. Each of these units has at least one Recruitment Liaison Officer.

I am advised that a broad spectrum of initiatives are currently under development, to enable the RDF to develop and deliver enhanced military capabilities where and when required in support of the PDF. These initiatives, will be outlined in the Reserve Defence Force Regeneration and Development Plan which is currently being finalised by the ORA and is due to be submitted to me in the near future.

This plan, which addresses one of the recommendations in the Report from the Commission on the Defence Forces, will contain a number of actions concerning the recruitment, resourcing and bolstering of the RDF, as well as a number of other recommendations set out in that Report, pertaining to the RDF.

I am pleased to note also that there is a very constructive and collaborative engagement with my officials and the military authorities on these matters, which is further complemented by informal bi-monthly discussions with RDFRA, the Association representing the Reserve.

The ultimate goal for me as Minister for Defence, is the development of a Reserve Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy on a voluntary basis, with the Permanent Defence Force, both on-island and overseas.