Reserve Defence Forces - History and Organisation

History and Organisation

In 1997 a steering group was convened by the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces to conduct a special study on the restructuring of the Reserve Defence Forces. The report was completed in May 1999. The Reserve Defence Forces was established in 2005 in line with the recommendations of this report, and as part of a wider restructure of the defence forces from 2000.

The Naval Service Reserve has an establishment of 400 and is organised into two groups, each consisting of two companies.

An RDF Training Authority was also established in the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC) which co-ordinates and conducts reserve training.

The Minister for Defence has accepted the recommendations of A Value for Money (VFM) Review of the Reserve Defence Force. Published on Tuesday 20th November 2012

The Steering Committee recommended an Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve based on a total strength ceiling of 4,000 personnel, (3,800 personnel Army Reserve and 200 personnel Naval Service Reserve), subject to existing organisational structures being revised.

In order to provide sufficient paid training days to sustain this strength, the Steering Committee recommended the withdrawal of gratuities from members of the Reserve and a re-allocation of the budgetary provision for gratuities of €0.9 million to provide sufficient paid training days for members of the Reserve. Key points are:

· A new “Single Force” concept will see PDF Units having Reserve components, rather than a separate stand-alone Reserve.

· A geographic spread for the Reserve will be achieved between existing Permanent Defence Force locations and the retention of 16 external locations. The locations of the new Reserve Units are set out on the attached map. This consolidation into an effective organisation will entail the amalgamation and closure of Units throughout the country. Recruitment is also envisaged where this is necessary to achieve the numbers required in particular locations.

· The strength of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve will be reduced from its current 4,500 personnel to 4,069 personnel. This will be achieved through natural turnover. Implementation of the new organisational structures will require participation and flexibility from existing Reserve personnel.

· The Naval Service Reserve of 200 personnel and be based in four locations. The locations of the new Reserve Units are set out on the attached map.

· The number of PDF personnel available to work full-time with the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve is being reduced from the current 261 PDF personnel to 57 full time PDF personnel. Additional support will be provided from PDF Units.

· Implementation of the re-organisation, including regulatory provision for the new Reserve organisation, will be progressed in tandem with the broader re-organisation of the PDF. As with the PDF, there will be an implementation process to achieve the transition from current structures to the new structures. In the intervening period, the military authorities will ensure the continuity of Reserve training.