I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 63 and 116 together.
Defence Force Regulations provide that members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí may, with their own consent, be required to attend in each training year for a course of training for a continuous period of not less than seven days, and not more than 21 days, in the case of the FCA, or not more than 14 days in the case of An Slua Muirí, at such times and places as the relevant military authorities may determine. While members who wish to attend for such training are facilitated as far as possible many, due to business or other commitments, are unable to make themselves available.
Since 1983, it has been found necessary, as part of the Government's programme for achieving reductions in the level of public expenditure, to curtail annual training for members of the Reserve having regard to the provisions in the Defence Vote for the training of the Reserve. Accordingly, each year since 1983 the annual training period for members of the FCA and the Slua Muirí has been reduced to seven days.
The position in regard to annual training is kept under review with the objective of restoring the normal arrangements as soon as circumstances allow. I am satisfied that a satisfactory standard of training is being maintained. During 1990 about 8,070 members of the FCA and Slua Muirí attended for courses of annual training and instruction and a further 2,500 performed casual security duties.
A gratuity is issued to members of the FCA and Slua Muirí who complete a course of annual training or other full-time instruction and in addition they are paid at the same rates of pay as those that apply to corresponding ranks in the Permanent Defence Force. In addition to attendance at such training or instruction it is necessary for each member to have attended certain local training parades or their equivalent in field days, overnight camps or security duties in order to qualify for payment of the gratutity.
Notwithstanding the reduced period of annual training that has applied in the case of the FCA and Slua Muirí since 1983 the gratuity payable to qualified members who complete the maximum permissible period of training is at the full rate, and not at the reduced rate that would normally apply in respect of attendance for the shorter period. The same arrangements apply this year.
The current cost of annual training is estimated at just over £2 million approximately and the estimated additional cost of restoring the normal annual training arrangements would also be £2 million approximately. It is not possible to compute the additional cost of rations and other costs as they are not accounted for separately.
