Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 196: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Reserve Defence Force who completed annual training in 2009; the number of same that were paid a gratuity; the expenditure on the Reserve Defence Forces for 2009 compared to the budget provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19739/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Defence Vote provides for Reserve Defence Force (RDF) training, gratuities, allowances and also provides for grants paid into unit funds. The expenditure outturn for 2009 was €6,651,000 out of a budget provision of €8,900,000.

Training in the Reserve is voluntary and comprised of both paid and unpaid training. In 2009, 3,565 members of the Reserve choose to avail of paid mandays. Gratuities are also paid to reservists who complete specified periods of paid and unpaid service. In 2009, 2,431 members of the Reserve met the required criteria and were paid a gratuity.

The 2010 provision for Subhead D is €4.7 million. Within this provision, the number of paid training days available to members of the Reserve in 2010 is approximately 31,000 days. In light of this reduced paid training day provision, it is anticipated that there will be an increased emphasis on voluntary unpaid training. Accordingly, the allocation of paid training to individual reservists will take account of voluntary unpaid training undertaken. The aim is to ensure that reservists who complete specified voluntary unpaid training will be afforded the opportunity to avail of a minimum of 7 days paid training.

The Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan, which was developed following broad stakeholder consultation, has provided the framework for the development of the Reserve over recent years. There is now a requirement to examine the progress that has been made and to chart the future direction of the Reserve. Work has commenced on a Value for Money Review of the Reserve and the findings of this Review, together with the lessons learned from the Implementation Plan to date, will inform future plans for the Reserve.