Vol. 409 No. 10
16 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline (a) the number of FCA summer camps which will operate this year (b) the duration of each and (c) the type of training and the manoeuvres which will be conducted.
Seventy-six courses of annual training, each of seven days' duration, are scheduled for the months of June, July and August 1991. Further similar courses may be held later in the year. Members attending the courses will undergo weapons training and tactical training which will incorporate military manoeuvre-type exercises.
When will the Minister be in a position to allow summer camps of two weeks' duration come into operation and will he state the reason the Department have made no attempt to provide training of two weeks' duration for members of the FCA at summer camps?
What was the first part of the Deputy's question?
What is the reason summer camps of two weeks' duration will not operate this summer? The Minister stated that 76 courses will be provided. Is the Minister talking about 76 summer camps each of seven days duration?
Seventy-six courses of annual training will be held at various camps.
At how many?
I do not have the number but I am sure they will include Lahinch Camp and military barracks. The Deputy's colleague, the former Deputy Cooney, decided in 1983 to dispense with summer camps of two weeks' duration.
We are aware of that, but that was eight years ago.
That decision was taken in difficult financial circumstances. The reality is that it would cost £2 million to provide such camps and we do not have that kind of money.
Is the Minister aware that some recruits will not be in a position to attend these courses because they do not have the proper clothing or full uniforms? Has that matter been brought to the Minister's attention?
That is an extension of the question.
I answered a question relating to that matter recently. A scheme to provide replacement clothing is in operation. I do not think anyone should find himself in a position where he cannot attend a course because he does not have the proper clothing.
Will the allocation be made before recruits attend courses this year?
There is another question down relating to that matter.
It is closely related.
This question relates to the number of summer camps. This year 76 courses of annual training, each of seven days' duration, are scheduled for the months of June, July and August. It is the intention to hold courses later in the year, perhaps in October, for those who may not be in a position to attend courses during the summer months.
With regard to the financial allocation to be made in respect of these camps, can the Minister say whether the allocation will be increased or decreased? Second, could the Minister give a breakdown of the man hours allocated to training between summer camp, winter camp and special courses? Would the Minister agree in general that the standard of military effectiveness has declined since one week only is spent at summer camp? There is a feeling that has happened.
People are satisfied that there is a satisfactory level of training being maintained at present. Naturally people would like to see further training being undertaken. This all costs money and the availability of money has to be taken into account. However, the financial allocation for the FCA in 1990 amounted to £18.2 million——
How much is being spent on the FCA?
The figure is broken down as follows:——
We got that the last day.
——Reserve Defence Forces, pay, gratuities and travel, £3.209 million; Permanent Defence Force, that is the permanent personnel attached to the FCA and who provide the training for them, travel and pay costs, £14 million. The sum of £3.209 million, £14 million and the money allowed for incidentals make up the balance of £18 million.
Would the Minister not consider that there is a total imbalance in the allocation of resources and that out of the total allocation of approximately £18 million all that is spent on the voluntary element of the Defence Forces is £3.209 million and that £14.8 million is being paid to the Permanent Defence Force personnel attached to the FCA and would he not agree this is an unsatisfactory situation? Is the Minister aware also that a number of FCA recruits cannot attend summer camp because there are insufficient places in the summer camps? Further, and this is in line with what Deputy Ferris has said, is he aware that a number of recruits are not in a position to go to summer camp because they do not have the necessary uniforms? Indeed, some members have spent up to £80 of their own money on equipment required to go to summer camp.
We are having quite an extension of this question.
I have no information to hand that suggests that personnel have not been able to avail of courses either due to a lack of space or a lack of clothing or other requirements. However, I gave the actual figures for the 1990 allocation. While it is true that the pay of Permanent Defence Forces personnel takes up a sizeable amount of the allocation, it has to be borne in mind that these are the personnel who provide the professional training which is part of the general purpose of the scheme.
I have a specific question which relates to the latter part of the Minister's answer. Would the Minister confirm that the Government decided last year to reduce the strength of Permanent Defence Forces personnel attached to the FCA by 25 per cent and if this is the case——
I have already ruled on this question.
I know it was not relevant at that stage and I accepted the Chair's ruling, but it is very relevant now in light of the details the Minister has given to us about the financial allocation to the FCA. Has the strength of the force been cut back by 25 per cent, or when does this decision take effect? Are there further plans to reduce the strength of the force?
There are approximately 750 members of the Permanent Defence Forces involved in training with the FCA. At present this number is being reduced by 25 per cent in accordance with a Government decision which was taken last year. In many cases personnel carry out duties in the Permanent Defence Forces as well as their training duties in the FCA, so it is very difficult to give a breakdown of the duties they carry out in their own positions and their duties involved in training FCA personnel. However, as I have said, a decision has been made to curtail that and it is presently being undertaken.
When will it take effect from?
It came into effect last November.
