Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Training.

Ivor Callely

Question:

101 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the percentage of Defence Force personnel that have availed of health and safety courses, if he has satisfied himself with the uptake of such courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17580/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

All personnel of the Defence Forces receive health and safety education during induction training. They also receive training in the care of hearing prior to carrying out annual weapons training. Personnel who are involved in manual handling receive appropriate training in manual handling and also undergo regular refresher training. As regards courses of manual handling instruction, the Defence Forces provide special training in manual handling instruction to all personnel involved in the giving of such instruction.

In 1999, the following health and safety courses were run to provide specialist training for personnel to perform particular health and safety duties:

Course	Nos. Attending
Health Safety & Welfare at Work Diploma	9
Unit Safety Officers Course	38
Certificate in Competence in Environmental Noise Assessment	7
Dangerous Goods Drivers Course	14
Manual Handling Instructors Course	15
Environmental Auditing Course	11

Similar courses will continue to be run throughout 2000 as requirements are identified.

The Defence Forces Advisory Committee on Safety is satisfied with the standard of health and safety education throughout the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces Advisory Committee on Safety will continue to ensure that the highest standards are maintained, through the current policy of providing general health and safety education to all members of the Defence Forces during induction training, with regular refresher training and specialist training as needs are identified.