Written answers
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Department of Defence
Defence Forces Recruitment
5:00 pm
Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Defence the establishment and the appointments filled in the Reserve Defence Force; the number of each rank to have attended annual training in 2008; the number who were paid the gratuity and the number who were not paid having attended the camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9322/09]
Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The following tables indicate the establishment against the strength by ranks in the Reserve Defence Force as of 31 Jan 09.
| Non-integrated (Army Reserve) | ||||||||||||||
| Establishment Non-integrated Army Reserve | ||||||||||||||
| Lt Col | Comdt | Capt | Lt | 2/Lt | Total Offr | SM | BQ | CS | CQ | Sgt | Cpl | Total NCOs | Pte | Grand Total |
| 3 | 130 | 274 | 277 | 0 | 684 | 18 | 18 | 106 | 133 | 838 | 1,723 | 2,836 | 5,772 | 9,292 |
| Total RD Strength (31 Jan 09) | ||||||||||||||
| 4 | 101 | 225 | 231 | 59 | 620 | 17 | 18 | 100 | 92 | 756 | 1,065 | 2,048 | 4,616 | 7,284 |
| Non-integrated (Naval Service Reserve) | ||||||||||||||
| Lt Col | Comdt | Capt | Lt | 2/Lt | Total Offr | SM | BQ | CS | CQ | Sgt | Cpl | Total NCOs | Pte | Grand Total |
| 0 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 24 | 48 | 88 | 292 | 400 |
| Total RD Strength (31 Jan 09) | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 24 | 3 | 11 | 20 | 34 | 68 | 199 | 291 |
The following table shows the number of times each rank attended annual training during 2008, under each category of training provided.
| Rank | Training Category | ||||
| Training | Course | RDFRA | Security | Misc | |
| Sgt Major | 16 | 3 | 4 | ||
| B.Q.M.S | 19 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Coy. Sgt. | 92 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| C.Q.M.S | 89 | 10 | 8 | 3 | |
| Sergeant | 531 | 44 | 43 | 10 | 6 |
| Corporal | 641 | 55 | 32 | 10 | 5 |
| Private 3 Star | 1,133 | 72 | 32 | 8 | 1 |
| Private 2 Star | 725 | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 |
| Private Grade 1 | 1,005 | 12 | 1 | ||
| Comdt. Engineer | 1 | ||||
| Capt. Engineer | 1 | ||||
| Lieutenant Eng Max | 1 | ||||
| Comdt. Medical | 1 | ||||
| Lieutenant Commander | 4 | ||||
| Lieutenant | 8 | 1 | 8 | ||
| Sub Lt. N.S | 9 | 1 | 9 | ||
| Ensign | 1 | ||||
| Sen. Chief Petty Officer | 3 | ||||
| Chief Petty Officer | 10 | 1 | 4 | ||
| Senior Petty Officer | 1 | 1 | |||
| Petty Officer | 10 | 2 | 7 | ||
| Leading Seaman | 22 | 3 | 12 | 1 | |
| Able Bodied Seaman | 32 | 2 | 17 | ||
| Ordinary Seaman | 30 | 1 | 27 | 1 | |
| Recruit | 35 | 1 | 9 | ||
| Lt (Med Min) | 1 | ||||
| Lt Col | 5 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Commandant | 101 | 7 | 6 | 1 | |
| Captain | 145 | 13 | 10 | 13 | |
| Lieutenant | 217 | 27 | 13 | 16 | 2 |
| 2nd Lieutenant | 66 | 11 | 5 | 12 |
The military authorities have advised me that 2,371 reservists were paid a gratuity in 2008. The terms and conditions for receipt of gratuities changed for 2008. In addition to the phased increase in gratuities linked to specified training levels with a minimum aggregate of seven days paid training and the completion of specified voluntary training, there is a requirement for members to have a minimum of one year's service prior to being eligible for receipt of a gratuity.
The improved rates and the conditions for award of gratuities were sanctioned by the Department of Finance. The Reserve Defence Force Representative Association was consulted by my Department when the gratuity structure was being revised and the changes had their broad agreement and support.
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