Bernard Allen
Question:142 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the arrangements, if any, made for the announcement of changes in the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will give details in this regard. [4841/00]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Reserve.
The Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan 1996-98, which was approved by Government in March 1996, provides for a special study of the Reserve Defence Force, which consists of the first line reserve made up of former members of the Permanent Defence Force, An Fórsa Cosanta Aitiúil and An tSlua Muirí, to be undertaken during the lifetime of the plan. Accordingly, in November 1997 I announced the setting up of a joint civilian-military steering group to carry out this examination. As part of the examination process, the chief of staff established a military board to conduct a study of the reserve. Part of the function of the steering group was to oversee and guide the military board in its task.
In May, 1999 the military board presented a copy of its final report to the steering group for consideration. In September 1999 when the steering group had completed its review of the reserve, including consideration of the military board report, it submitted to me a draft report which I am currently in the process of examining.
Pending completion of consideration of the draft steering group report, I do not intend to make any comment on the findings or recommendations contained n the report or on the procedures that will be necessary to implement such findings or recommendations. As I have indicated previously I plan to publish the steering group report in due course.
However, as I announced recently, I have allocated an additional £1.5 million in this year's Vote for Defence towards the cost of providing extra training and courses of instruction for members of the FCA and An tSlua Muirí. The increased allocation will permit an increase in the training days form the current level of 63,000 days annually to 84,000 days approximately this year. The additional training days are regarded as an important means of facilitating the future development of the reserve.