Vol. 408 No. 5
8 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the future role of the FCA; if the necessary resources will be made available to rejuvenate the flagging morale of the membership throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence his views on the future role of the FCA; if he will categorise it into first line reserve; and if he will outline the total amount which was spent directly on the FCA in the 1990 financial year.
29 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Defence the present position regarding the issue of new uniforms to FCA personnel.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 10 and 29 together. Under the provisions of the Defence Act, 1954, as amended, the Reserve Defence Force comprises a number of separate constituent organisations namely, the First Line Reserve, the FCA and An Slua Muiri.
The First Line Reserve is made up of former members of the Permanent Defence Force. Members of the FCA are not required to have had permanent service prior to joining.
Different and distinct roles are assigned to these two bodies.
The role of the First Line Reserve is to provide a pool of fully trained personnel available at short notice to augment Permanent Defence Force Units.
In the case of the FCA, its role is mainly one of providing military security and, where circumstances require, support for the Permanent Defence Force in local unit areas. A major re-organisation of the FCA took place just over a decade ago and further organisational developments have taken place since then such as changes in the officer rank structure.
Amalgamation of the First Line Reserve and the FCA is not contemplated.
During 1990 the total amount of the Defence Vote allocated to the FCA was about £18 million which was spent on pay, allowances, travelling and subsistence, food, clothing, purchase of vehicles and provision of training accommodation.
Resources available within the limits of current financial constraints are used to best advantage to achieve a reasonable balance of expenditure — supply of new equipment and uniforms, continuation of training, etc.
Last year the issue of a new Working Dress for the FCA began and it is hoped to complete the issue to all members by the end of this year.
Given the existing morale within the FCA, in effect the first line of reserve, the Minister's reply is deplorable. Is he aware of the transport problems? One battalion spread across these counties, comprising 700 men who hope to recruit women in future, has one transport vehicle capable of carrying 14 people. Does the Minister not accept that if it was not for the goodwill of the officers who carry members in their private cars there would be great difficulty regarding training and security? If the Government are not prepared to acknowledge the role of the FCA, and the work they do, and provide the resources for them they should consider seriously the future existence and role of the FCA.
I want to reiterate the Government's commitment to the development of the FCA. In 1990, 20 new minibuses were purchased for the FCA.
Can all members fit in them?
I am aware that is not adequate. They are not satisfied about that and they need some additional equipment.
Is it reduced to those numbers?
With regard to morale, I am aware from my constituency that there is some dissatisfaction about annual training. This has gone on since 1983. The FCA considers the training given is not adequate. I will have that examined as a matter of some urgency to see how we might improve on it.
Is the Minister giving a commitment to the House that two weeks' camp training will be initiated this year? Will the training in July and August be two weeks rather than one week? Does he consider the 20 new minibuses purchased to transport FCA personnel around the country are adequate? Is he aware that many young FCA members have to hitch to their local centre and hitch home again at night? Does he accept that everything is being done to discourage people from enrolling in the FCA and that there is nothing in it at the moment to attract young people? What additional facilities does he intend to provide in FCA locations for the young women who will enrol in the FCA shortly?
I am giving absolutely no commitment about any additional training, nor have I said any such thing. I said I would examine the matter very carefully. The Deputy might talk to her former colleague who was Minister for Defence, Deputy Cooney, the man who terminated the second week in 1983.
That was a long time ago.
It has gone on since then. As regards morale, we have advertised for 200 women to join the FCA and there has been a very positive response. We had more than 750 applications. That does not seem to bear out what the Deputy said about the FCA. People are very enthusiastic about being in the FCA at present.
Is the Minister aware that in his and my home town of Kilrush women have been turned away because there are not facilities there to cater for them in the FCA? That is commonplace. Of the 750 applicants for enrolment how many were turned away? Will the Minister explain how the £18 million was spent? It is my belief that about £2 million was spent on the FCA.
The £18.2 million was spent as follows: Reserve Defence Force pay, £3.209 million; Permanent Defence Forces — the people who train FCA personnel——
I am fully aware of that, and the Minister should know that.
Then the Deputy should not be asking me about this matter.
I am sorry, I have to say the time available for dealing with priority questions is exhausted.
It was £14 million for the personnel.
We proceed now to Question No. 11.
Will the Minister answer Question No. 9 without supplementaries?
I would like to facilitate the Deputy in that regard. Without supplementaries then, No. 9 in the name of Deputy McCartan.
