Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 February 2014
209. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the terms and conditions for members of the Reserve Defence Force; the training to which they have access; the payment they receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8673/14]
View answerI am advised by the military authorities that the Terms and Conditions for members of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) are outlined in Defence Force Regulation R5 and Administration Instruction R5.
Members of the AR and NSR are volunteers who undertake training in their spare time. Training is delivered through evening parades, weekend training days and periods of full time training. In addition career course training and other specialist courses in personnel and logistics administration are conducted in the Defence Force Training College and the Formation Brigade Training Centres.
Members of the AR and NSR undertake unpaid training and there is also provision made for them to avail of paid training. In 2013 1,734 members of the AR and NSR availed of 23,898 paid training man-days. However, members of the AR and NSR are not employed or engaged under a contract of employment which stipulates either weekly hours of work or working time and service with the AR and NSR is not pensionable under the Army Pension Schemes.
In terms of paid training, members of the AR and NSR are generally paid at the 1st point of the pay scale of their equivalent rank in the Permanent Defence Force. Paid training for members of the AR and NSR is subject to PAYE and this requirement has been in place since 2008. They are subject to PRSI contribution class M since 01 January 2011 as the introduction of the Universal Social Charge covers the Health Contribution aspect of PRSI (previously class K1 for Reservists).
In line with the recommendations of the VFM Review of the Reserve Defence Force, gratuities were withdrawn from members of the AR and NSR at the end of 2012. In the 2013 estimates this budget was re-allocated to paid training for members of the AR and NSR. This measure was introduced to ensure an appropriate paid training allocation for the revised organisational establishment of 4,069 personnel and to ensure continued viability of the Reserve.
Terms and conditions for members of the First Line Reserve (FLR) are outlined in Defence Forces Regulation R1 and Defence Forces Regulation R2. Membership of the FLR is confined to personnel who have completed a term of engagement with the Permanent Defence Force and have undertaken, either voluntarily or on foot of a contractual commitment, to complete a period of service in the FLR. The FLR has not actively trained in recent years. In line with the recommendations of the VFM Review of the Reserve Defence Force, the military authorities are currently developing proposals regarding the FLR for my consideration. In the intervening period, members of the First Line Reserve remain eligible for payment of gratuities. In 2013, 93 members of the First Line Reserve received gratuities and were paid a total of €27,106.
