Reserve Deserve Force structure, strength and spread

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For Oral Answer on : 17/10/2024
Question Number(s): 9 Question Reference(s): 41892/24
Department: Defence
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the organisational structure of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), including its geographical spread and strength in respective locations; his future plans for the further development of the RDF; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

There are currently 3 branches of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), namely the Army Reserve (AR), the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) and the First Line Reserve (FLR).

The First Line Reserve comprises former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and has no defined establishment. The Second Line Reserve, consisting of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve, has an establishment of 4,069 personnel.

As of 31 August 2024, the effective strength of the Second Line Reserve stood at 1,553 which is comprised of 1,456 Army Reserve personnel and 97 Naval Service Reserve personnel.  On the same date, the strength of the First Line Reserve stood at 167 personnel.  

The RDF is organised on a regional basis, in 28 individual locations throughout the State and existing as sub-units of parent Permanent Defence Force units in accord with the Single Force Concept model.

A table containing the strength of the RDF by formation and/or service, has been compiled and will be provided to the Deputy.  

The future 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), along with the full-time appointment of a Director in that Office, at the rank of Colonel.

In addition to the issue of general recruitment into the RDF, a priority for the ORA was the development of the RDF Regeneration and Development Plan, which was published in July.

This Plan contains 27 concrete actions which will be led by the Defence Forces with the support from my officials, to drive forward recruitment and retention; resourcing; training and education; as well as  integration and deployment,  with 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.  

It is very encouraging to report that, as at 31 July, a total of 201 members have been inducted in 2024, comprising 180 Army Reserve personnel and 21 Naval Service Reserve personnel.  This is an increase of some 200% over the number inducted in 2023. In addition, the number of personnel undertaking training, and the number of training days completed, has already surpassed the total for 2023.  

This welcome development, along with the actions set down in the Regeneration Plan, will assist in ensuring that the momentum behind my absolute commitment to the regeneration of the RDF will be maintained throughout the remainder of 2024 and beyond.

*The military authorities have advised that, as their systems do not allow for the exclusion of RDF non-effective members when collating the above figures  138 RDF members who are deemed ‘non-effective’ members are included.