Vol. 416 No. 1
16 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence if, arising from the reduction in the financial allocation to the Defence Forces, he will outline, (1) the areas where he expects savings to be made and (2) the effect it will have on, (a) PDF, (b) FCA, (c) Civil Defence, (d) Army, (e) Navy and (f) Air Corps; if recruitment to the PDF will be reduced or deferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The 1992 financial allocation for Defence has not been reduced; in fact, the gross allocation is more than £3 million greater than the 1991 provisional outturn. The detailed provisions in the Estimate can be dealt with when the Defence Estimate comes before the Dáil.
While I welcome the increased funding announced by the Minister, there has been a real cutback in training for FCA personnel. On the basis of the Department's figures for 1990 and 1991, fewer than 50 per cent of the members of the FCA available for training are afforded that facility because of a lack of finance and cutbacks. Does the Minister not accept that this is totally unacceptable in view of the type of training required nowadays, and will he do something about the matter?
I should like to put on the record of the House the Government's and my appreciation of the work done by the second line reserve. As the House knows — I suppose it is sick listening to this — there has been considerable pressure to cut expenditure over the past number of years and especially since 1987. Despite this, the Government have thought fit to provide £3.2 million extra for my Department this year. I am very pleased that that is the case.
