Billy Timmins
Question:76 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence if he has made provision in the 1999 Estimates to cater for two weeks training for FCA personnel. [9275/98]
Vol. 489 No. 7
76 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence if he has made provision in the 1999 Estimates to cater for two weeks training for FCA personnel. [9275/98]
100 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence the number of FCA man days provided for, and used, in 1997; and the proposals, if any, he has to permit FCA personnel perform routine barrack duties, outside of their training camp period, to assist PDF personnel in this task. [9304/98]
162 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if FCA units will be allowed to permit serving reservists avail of two weeks training in 1998 within the current allocation of man weeks for annual training in view of the huge falloff in FCA recruiting. [9555/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 100 and 162 together.
As part of the Government's programme for achieving reductions in the level of public expenditure it was found necessary to curtail annual training for members of the Reserve Defence Force having regard to the provisions in the Defence Vote for the training of the reserve.
There is no plan to increase the provision in the Defence Vote in 1999 to cater for two weeks annual training for the reserve. The provision in the Defence Vote 1997 provided for 63,000 man days to be used in seven day periods of annual training, 14 day courses of instruction and casual security duties. There is no change in the position for 1998.