Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2021
229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Air Corps continues to receive training on par with other forces throughout the European Union with particular reference to the need to ensure the ability to work together with other forces in the event of an emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56796/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which members of the Air Corps continue to receive training on an ongoing basis with particular reference to the need to familiarise themselves with modern aviation technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56797/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army including the Army Reserve continue to participate in modern training exercises in order to ensure the ability of the force to operate with other forces in the context of United Nations deployments and the need to maintain an ability to work alongside colleagues from the United Nations or the European Union ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56798/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 230 and 231 together.
The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces conduct training under four broad categories, namely; Leadership, Skills, Career, and Collective. Leadership Training is the medium through which the Defence Forces ensure that personnel are prepared for exercising command authority across the full range of military functions both at home and overseas in international operations. Skills Training ensures that Defence Forces personnel have the requisite individual, specialist, and crew skills. Career Training, and education, provides the organisation with the necessary pool of leaders and commanders at all levels. Collective Training allows military personnel to use their individual, crew, specialist and career training together, to develop integrated and coherent combat forces.
The scheduling of training in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve, is underpinned by an analysis of training required to meet operational output and capability development requirements.
The Defence Forces seek to constantly benchmark training across all three arms of the organisation against best military and academic practice. Military best practice is ensured by implementing a policy of standardisation that is in line with EU and NATO/Partnership for Peace partners. Academic best practice is ensured by benchmarking courses through accreditation under the National Framework of Qualifications which is validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland. The Defence Forces deliver military programmes and modules meeting national and international standards and engage with external educational institutions in order to facilitate organisational learning. This engagement with national and international educational institutions, military and civilian, aims to ensure that the Defence Forces retain currency with regards to best international practice and employ all relevant modern training methods.
I remain committed to ensuring that all personnel of the Defence Forces continue to be trained to appropriate standards.
