Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the training provided to members of the Defence Forces prior to being deployed overseas that allow them to respond to incidences of gender-based violence and any of his plans to expand or improve this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12049/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces ensures that its personnel deploying on active service to missions throughout the world receive detailed instruction in the areas of human rights afforded to minorities and women, cultural awareness issues and codes of conduct and behaviour, both for the conduct of their respective missions and also their individual behaviour. Furthermore, the Defence Forces have a workplace policy on human rights and a dignity charter designed to create awareness of the Defence Forces' role and obligations in relation to gender-based violence and human rights. The training instruction delivered is tailored in order to fit a mission specific profile and to further contribute to Ireland's obligations pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. Prior to overseas deployment on Peacekeeping Operations, Defence Forces Personnel are specifically briefed on the 5th United Nations Standard Generic Training Module, which examines the following areas:-

· Code of Conduct for Military Peacekeepers

· Cultural Awareness

· Child Protection

In addition, in the course of mission preparation training, all units preparing for deployment are exercised and rehearsed in a variety of gender-based scenarios.

Additionally the United Nations Training School (UNTSI), based at the Defence Forces Training Centre on the Curragh, conducts two Human Rights Courses annually, one of which is open to invited international military and civilian participants. A core area examined in these courses is the issue of Gender-Based violence. This issue is also examined in two Civilian–Military Co-operation Courses (CIMIC) that are also conducted annually at the School. This year, for the first time, one of these CIMIC courses will be open to foreign participants.

Having regard to the extensive training already in place, there is no requirement at this time to expand gender training for the Defence Forces. The content of gender-related instruction and the range of training conducted is modified, on an ongoing basis, in accordance with best practice and international developments.