Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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598. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Reserve Defence Force that attended annual training in both 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4171/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Members of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) undertake paid and unpaid training. Unpaid training is undertaken throughout the year whilst the bulk of paid training is traditionally undertaken during a series of annual camps. In 2012 a total of 2,476 members of the AR and NSR availed of paid training and utilised 30,412 paid training mandays. In 2013 a total of 1,734 members of the AR and NSR availed of paid training and utilised 23,898 paid training mandays.

A Value for Money (VFM) Review of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) was published in November 2012. It set out a number of recommendations aimed at improving the capacity of the RDF and at ensuring a viable and cost effective Reserve into the future. The implementation of these recommendations is ongoing and, in this context, the AR and NSR underwent a major re-organisation in 2013. Gratuities for members of the AR and NSR have been withdrawn and the budget was been re-allocated to ensure that there are sufficient funds to provide a minimum of seven days paid training for all reservists. This has increased the number of paid training days available from approximately 30,000 mandays in 2012 to 41,500 mandays in 2013 and 2014.

The uptake of paid and unpaid training by members of the AR and NSR was critically examined in the VFM Review. It highlighted a poor uptake of paid training with regard to the reported effective strength. This has an adverse effect on the overall capacity of Units. The military authorities are actively identifying Reservists who do not meet training requirements and, in line with regulations, these Reservists will be posted as non-effective. This will ensure that posts currently blocked by inactive Reservists will be freed up and filled. In light of this process I understand that proposals for a recruitment campaign are now being developed.

I am confident that the implementation of the recommendations of the VFM Review will result in a fit for purpose AR and NSR which will have the resources and capabilities necessary to fulfil its assigned role.