Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
443. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Forces, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the extent to which their upgraded training has continued in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37062/20]
View answerThe Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the Army Reserve (AR), the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) and the First Line Reserve (FLR). As of 30 September 2020, the combined strength of the AR and NSR is 1,624 personnel and the FLR had a strength of 281 personnel.
The primary function of training and education in both the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and the RDF is to develop and maintain capabilities necessary to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The White Paper on Defence sets out a developmental path for the Reserve and confirms that the primary role of the Reserve is to augment the PDF in crisis situations. As such, the RDF undertakes training in preparation to assist the PDF when required.
Members of the AR and NSR are volunteers who undertake training in their spare time. In order to facilitate the voluntary nature of Reserve Service and to maximise attendance of Reserve personnel, training continues to be organised both in and out of normal working hours, at weekends and during academic and traditional holiday periods.
In the AR, recruits undergo varied training in areas such as combat first aid, military law and tactical training. A major part of Recruit training is training in the use of the Steyr 5.56mm Assault Rifle. RDF personnel are additionally trained in the operation of basic radio communications, map reading, Nuclear, Biological & Chemical warfare defence and the Light Machine Gun. Each Corps also carries out specialist training in its particular field.
In the NSR, the two main courses undertaken as a recruit are Sea Survival and Damage Control & Fire Fighting. NSR personnel also undergo training in the operation of various crafts operated by the Naval Service, such as Motor Training Launches and Rigid Inflatable Boat as well as training in VHF Radios and the operation of VHF systems at sea. Courses are additionally run for personnel on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
For the current year, Subhead A.5 provides for a budget of €2.15 million of which €2.068 million is allocated for Paid Training Mandays for members of the Reserve. This allocation will provide seven days annual paid training for each effective member of the AR and NSR. The budget also provides for fourteen days paid training for all additional personnel recruited to the AR and NSR in 2020, along with career and specialist courses for selected members of the Reserve in line with Reserve priorities.
The utilisation of the training budget allocated to the RDF from 2015 to date is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
RDF Training Budget Allocation |
Spend |
Number of AR and NSR members who availed of paid training days |
Total number of paid training days used |
|
2015 |
€2.068m |
€1.736m |
1,475 |
22,548 |
|
2016 |
€2.068m |
€1.568m |
1,298 |
19,710 |
|
2017 |
€2.068m |
€1.38m |
1,133 |
17,488 |
|
2018 |
€2.068m |
€1.538m |
1,091 |
19,351 |
|
2019 |
€2.068m |
€1.554m |
956 |
15,191 |
|
2020* |
€2.068m |
€0.809m |
637 |
9,905 |
*as of 30 Sept 2020
I am satisfied that members of the AR and NSR are afforded the opportunity to avail of training and update their skills on an ongoing basis and that the extensive and professional training provided to the Reserve is a major motivating factor in encouraging people to join it as well as encouraging retention of existing members.
