Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2012
144 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which military training for the Army, Navy and Air Corps is kept up to date and in accordance with modern practice and international standards for such armies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7187/12]
View answerTraining and Education are vital activities in all Military organisations. Training enables Defence Forces personnel to achieve their required standard of operational effectiveness. Over the past decade the Defence Forces have undertaken more challenging roles, in particular on overseas service and have also introduced new highly technical equipment. External Education both at Universities and Institutes at home and abroad, fulfils Defence Forces requirements by providing education and expertise, which cannot be delivered within the organisation and which ensures that Defence Forces personnel attain the required level of academic and professional qualifications. The Defence Forces conducts training and education under three broad categories namely skills training, career training and education and collective training. Skills training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensures that its personnel have the requisite individual, specialist, and crew skills to permit the development of organisational capabilities. Career training provides the organisation with the necessary pool of leaders and commanders at all levels from Section Commander to Brigade Commander. Collective Training operationalises individual, crew, specialist and career training by moulding Sub-Units, Units and Formations into integrated and coherent combat forces thereby providing the Defence Forces with the capabilities required to fulfil its roles and missions both at home and overseas.
Training is at the core of all things military. I am satisfied with the ongoing actions to keep military training techniques up to date in all respects and Defence Forces training plans structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned by Government.
Training and Education is under constant review within the Defence Forces. This is to ensure that the Defence Forces provide an effective highly trained force capable of fulfilling all roles assigned by Government, while also utilising the most efficient and economic use of resources.
