Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Force; the training that each member engages in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17547/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Reserve Defence Force, including an Slua Muirí, is 12,287. Reserve Defence Force personnel engage in a variety of training related to the particular military unit in which they serve. Training consists of nightly parades, field days, weekend training, annual training periods and courses.

In July 2004, my predecessor, Deputy Michael Smith, officially launched the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan. The reorganisation process will radically change the structure and configuration of the reserve and, although the implementation will take place over the course of the period to the end of 2009, members of the FCA are already seeing the benefits in terms of improvements in training, better clothing and improved equipment.

An important objective of the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan will be to ensure that most personnel will, in each 12 month period, undertake a total of 14 days paid training in addition to unpaid training. The provision of paid training days — man days — for 2005 is 114,000. This represents a significant increase over recent years — 63,000 in 1998. Subject to financial prioritisation within the military budget as a whole, it is planned that the allocation of paid training days will be increased as the reorganisation process continues.

This increase in the provision of paid training days coupled with ongoing improvements in the quality and flexibility of training will see a continued improvement in the quantity and quality of training over the course of the implementation plan.