Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals, if any, to lift the ban on promotions within the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23354/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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In November 2009 sanction was given for the advancement of Privates from 2* to 3* for those members who have achieved the necessary qualifications, along with promotions from Private to Corporal for those currently qualified and the promotion of one Commandant to Lt. Colonel. These promotions were made on a phased basis to March of this year.

In difficult economic times there is a requirement to prioritise resources in order to maintain operational capacity. In this regard all aspects of the Department's business including the Reserve Defence Force must be evaluated, resources prioritised and budgetary expenditure apportioned accordingly. This will continue to be an ongoing feature of the management of resources and expenditure during 2010. It is in this regard that the number of promotions with the Reserve Defence Force must be managed on an ongoing basis. At a recent meeting with RDFRA on 28th April last I undertook to review the situation regarding the current ratio of Officers in the Reserve Defence Force to other ranks to determine whether there are any major issues. I have asked officials in the Department to engage with the appropriate military authorities in this regard.

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. The Plan has informed the development of the Reserve up to the end of 2009. 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.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will negotiate with the reserve representative organisation regarding the difficulties associated with man days and employment Acts in respect of part-time workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23357/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The prevailing economic environment and the associated resource constraints have impacted on the entire Defence Organisation. The financial situation is such that it is not possible to provide the level of resourcing that was available in recent years. Within the reduced resource enveloped, the Department and the Defence Forces are working closely to prioritise the operational requirements of the Defence Forces and I fully support this approach.

I have been informed by the military authorities that, within the current budget, the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) programme of training for 2010 will include Unit nightly parades, weekend training field days, annual summer camps and career courses for reservists. The provision in the current year for Reserve Defence Force Pay etc. is €4.7 million. This amount includes €2.478 million for paid training for reservists. It is anticipated that this level of funding will provide for approximately 31,000 paid training man days for reservists.

Training in the Reserve is comprised of both paid and unpaid training. In light of the reduced paid training day provision for 2010, it is anticipated that there will be an increased emphasis on voluntary unpaid training and 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 and that there be an allocation of training man days to be used to deliver enhanced training to selected members of the Reserve, through full time courses of instruction in addition to their annual training.

Regarding training man days the Reserve Representative Association has open access to both military and civilian officials in the Department to raise issues of concern. Members of the Reserve Defence Force are not considered to be part time workers in the employment of the Department of Defence as defined by the Protection of Employees (Part Time Work) Act 2001 therefore the Act has no application to members of the Reserve.