asked the Minister for Defence why the numbers of FCA personnel recently going on training have been reduced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - FCA Training.
48.
There is no restriction on the number of FCA personnel attending full-time annual training this year.
The calling out of FCA personnel for courses of training and instruction involving guard and patrol duties in respect of vital installations is controlled with a view to ensuring that these duties are carried out as economically as possible, regard being had to the availability of personnel of the Permanent Defence Force and the First Line Reserve for such duties.
Could the Minister give us any indication of the size of the reduction? Is he aware of the grave dissatisfaction among members of a voluntary organisation who in their spare time attend parades, training et cetera? Is there such a shortage of money now that it was necessary for a Fianna Fáil TD to put down this question and to bring it to the country's notice?
There is no reduction in the normal period of training and the number of personnel this year as compared with other years.