Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 772: To ask the Minister for Defence if Reserve Defence Force members will have the same scale of issue of track suit, runners and other personal training equipment as their permanent colleagues; if gym facilities will be available to the RDF on parade nights and weekends; if a Permanent Defence Force physical training instructor will be in attendance at these times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22936/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The availability of gym facilities for members of the RDF is subject to Health and Safety restrictions and requires co-ordination by unit commanders. The availability of qualified PDF physical training instructors to supervise physical fitness training in the RDF is contingent on their work demands in the PDF.

The military authorities have informed me that a Reserve Defence Force physical training policy is currently being developed. As the development of this policy is a work in progress, the range of issues and challenges associated with raising the standard of physical fitness in the RDF and proposals to address those challenges are actively being considered by the military authorities. There are no plans to provide track suits or running shoes for members of the RDF.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 773: To ask the Minister for Defence if members of the Reserve Defence Force participating under the physical pilot programme will be covered under the compensation scheme when training in their own time to reach targeted fitness levels required in the programme; if training time will be allocated for fitness training on parade nights; if RDF members will be given a medical examination before participating in the programme; if all safety measures will be in place for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22937/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The military authorities have informed me that a Reserve Defence Force physical training policy is currently being developed. As the development of this policy is a work in progress, the range of issues and challenges associated with raising the standard of physical fitness in the RDF and proposals to address those challenges are actively being considered by the military authorities.

A four week personal training programme to guide Reserve Personnel who wish to prepare for Defence Forces fitness tests required for certain RDF courses and the Integrated Reserve has been introduced on a pilot basis in 2008. There is no requirement to undergo a medical examination to undertake the personal training programme. However, the programme includes instructions on steps to be taken prior to commencement of physical training, including consultation with a personal medical practitioner.

Members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) who are injured in the course of their duties may apply for compensation under a non-statutory compensation scheme administered by my Department. Typically, this would cover injuries sustained on official duty while participating in annual camp, field days, overnights, exercises, parades and courses of instruction. Compensation is payable under the scheme where it is established that a member of the RDF has been disabled as the result of injuries sustained in the course of his or her duties. However, no compensation is payable where injury or death is caused by the member's own serious negligence or misconduct, or where alternative compensation is otherwise received for the same injury. The scheme does not extend to training injuries sustained in their own time outside periods of military activities.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 774: To ask the Minister for Defence the physical training pilot programme for Reserve Defence Force units with regard to the standards to be achieved in the time allotted, the age profile of the participants and the numbers involved; the assessment in place to monitor the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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A four week personal training programme, to guide reserve personnel who wish to prepare for Defence Forces fitness tests required for certain RDF courses and the Integrated Reserve, has been introduced on a pilot basis in 2008. The use of the programme in their preparation is dependent on the individual choice of each reservist.

The military authorities estimate that 160 reserve personnel will undergo courses of instruction that require their passing the Defence Forces fitness test, prior to undertaking these courses. The age profile of reservists who undertake these courses is broadly in the 20 to 40 years old age bracket. There are currently 372 reserve personnel participating in the integrated reserve pilot scheme.