Vol. 416 No. 1
113 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence whether in relation to recruits to An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí, he will outline the current provisions of DFR R5, part V, paragraph 39 (1) in relation to recruit training; whether these recruits are able to benefit from full-time initial annual training; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
114 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if, having regard to the assurances given on 31 October 1991, he will outline whether he has had an opportunity to review the matter of training.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.
Paragraph 39 (1) of DFR R5 states:
A member may, with his own consent, be required to attend on one occasion, as soon as possible after the commencement of his service, for a course of basic training or intruction for a continuous period of not less than fourteen and not more than thirty days at such time and at such place as the Officer Commanding the Command FCA concerned may determine.
Because of the restrictions that have applied to annual training for members of the reserve since 1983 as part of the Government's programme for achieving reductions in the level of public expenditure it is not always possible to facilitate recruits on a course of annual training in their first year of service.
The position in regard to annual training is kept under constant review with the objective of restoring normal arrangements as soon as circumstances allow.
