Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2015
315. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the reason when a Reserve Defence Force member is in attendance at a field day for in excess of 12 hours, the member's record will only show four hours of attendance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5865/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe training obligations and requirements necessary for remaining on the effective strength of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) are set out in the Defence Force Regulation R5 (the Regulation which governs matters relating to the AR and NSR ). Section 39 of these Regulations specifies that members of the AR and NSR must undertake a total of 48 hours training in order to remain effective. There are a number of types of training which can be used to fulfil this requirement, such as training parades, overnight camps, field days , annual training or courses of instruction. There are a wide variety of combinations that are feasible in order to meet the 48 hours target. Section 39 (2) (a) of the Regulation states that, for the purpose of qualifying for retention on the effective strength but not for any other purpose, attendance for the full period of an overnight camp or field day shall be deemed to be attendance at training for a period of four hours. Therefore, members of the AR and NSR are required to attend 12 field days or a combination of field days, overnight camps, annual training, courses of instruction and training parades in order to remain effective.
The criteria for remaining an effective member of the Reserve are being reviewed as part of the implementation of the findings of the Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force.
