Vol. 429 No. 3
145 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Defence the steps, if any, he intends to take to ensure that training provisions and facilities for external education and training are provided on an equal basis as between commissioned and non-commissioned members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The matter referred to in the Deputy's question is one of the priorities in relation to the Defence Forces contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997.
Subject to the exigencies of the service, there is a wide variety of opportunities for training and education available to non-commissioned personnel in the Defence Forces. The following are some examples:—
—the Army General Certificate of Education;
—the Junior and Leaving Certificate;
—FÁS training courses and apprenticeships;
—full-time courses at regional technical colleges, colleges of technology and other third level institutions;
—refund of fees in respect of attendance at courses of education in their own time.
These are additional to the normal military training programmes and courses that arise throughout the Defence Forces.
In accordance with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, I am having a full review carried out in regard to the provision of education and training for all ranks in the Defence Forces.
